Social Movements Across Generations: A Film Screening and Platica with Carmen Perez Jordan

Join us for an evening of reflection, storytelling, and dialogue rooted in the legacy and future of social movements. The program will feature a screening of Following Harry, a powerful documentary that offers an intimate look into the life, mentorship, and enduring influence of Harry Belafonte. Through personal stories and behind-the-scenes moments, the film captures how Belafonte shaped generations of organizers, artists, and leaders committed to justice, highlighting the deep connections between culture, movement building, and moral courage.

The film also features Carmen Perez-Jordan, a former UC Santa Cruz student, whose journey reflects the impact of Belafonte’s mentorship and the power of intergenerational leadership. Her story offers a personal lens into how movements are sustained, carried forward, and reimagined by new generations.

Following the screening, we will hold a plática with Carmen Perez-Jordan and Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez, two leaders whose work reflects the very legacy explored in the film. Together, they will engage in a conversation on movement-building across generations, the importance of mentorship, and what it means to lead with purpose in today’s social justice landscape.

This evening is an invitation to connect the past with the present, honor the shoulders we stand on, and imagine the future we are called to build together.