DUS Documentary - Defining US

Defining US: Children at the Crossroads of Change is our flagship film offered as a digital program for education and specialty markets that amplifies purposeful content and inspires positive action from viewers.

The film takes audiences inside the nation’s largest school systems to help us learn how to better understand each other and ourselves in a diverse, complex and divided nation. Through the passionate, credible voices of educators and the inspirational, persuasive stories of students, we learn why and how open, constructive conversations about race and other vital issues are the lifeblood of our identity and fundamental to our humanity.

Defining US was made available as a special 30-minute program on CBS NY, offering viewers a powerful glimpse into the NYC stories shaping schools and communities.

Experience the feature film now through streaming platforms like Apple TV, Prime Video, and others.

Click an Icon Above to Learn More!

OUR PARTNERS

San Carlos SD

Advisory Trail

Sony

CBS

Chyron

Morehouse College

Rock Island-Milan SD

Spelman College

University of Massachusetts

Arch Diocese NY Drug Abuse Prevention

My Brother’s Keeper

Cabrillo USD

Eastman

Jefferson ESD

Gravitas Ventures

San Carlos SD

Advisory Trail

Sony

CBS

Chyron

Morehouse College

Rock Island-Milan SD

Spelman College

University of Massachusetts

Arch Diocese NY Drug Abuse Prevention

My Brother’s Keeper

Cabrillo USD

Eastman

Jefferson ESD

Gravitas Ventures

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Solid Reaffirmation to Humanize and see the Students in front of us. The Students stories are so powerful. The Teacher expressing her fear about the seniors leaving, crying and saying she hopes they all find people along the way to help them – I can and am that person to help on their journey.

This left me speechless. It was such a powerful and relevant topic and I can think of dozens of people that I want to share this with and will immediately.

As a single mother of 2 brown boys in the NYC school system, I want so much for them to have that sense of belonging from their school.

Definitely can see this being used as a district-wide professional development. I’m moved by the authentic testimonies of the students. I’m inspired by the dedication of the educators. I’m motivated by the professionals and their tireless dedication to their beliefs.

Awesome documentary with well thought out points of view. Needed a trigger warning as I was triggered when I saw myself in several of the young men.

The documentary has reenergized my soul!! This year has been especially difficult, and I often found myself asking, “Why? Why Do I Do This?” And, “Did I choose the Right Path?” This documentary has solidified that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Extremely touching. Brought very real thoughts to the forefront.

Powerful, Moving … A documentary that should be shown to districts at the beginning of a school year and at the beginning of an effort to effect change in thinking and equity practices.

Defining US was a reflective tribute to the educational experience of many students. I was inspired by the recognition that, “We can create the culture!” I was also reminded that often, “Students have to be chameleons.” Relationships continue to make the greatest impact.

I’m so struck by the recurrence of the theme of love in the film. As educators, it’s easy sometimes to get caught up in policy or curriculum discussions that privilege a pursuit of objectivity, and lose or overlook the fundamental human need to love and be loved.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE CAST AND CREW WHO MADE THIS VISION POSSIBLE

CAST

(In Order of Appearance)

Paul Forbes
Kenyatte Reid
Alison Yoshimoto-Towery
Courtney Winkfield
George Patterson
Bennett Lieberman
Moyagabi Drame
Dr.Lester W.Young, Jr.
Dr.Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz
Dr.David E. Kirkland
Lydia Acosta Stephens
Dr.Tyrone C. Howard
Ingrid Chung
Jordan Stockdale
Angel Diaz
Averi Bellance
Dr. Sharon Contreras
Dr. Meria Carstarphen

Qwantayvious Stiggers
Mayra Messi
Roberto Lebron
Dr. James P. Comer
Dr. Timothy Shriver
Dr. Marc Brackett
Dr. Ruby Ababio-Fernandez
Sikirat Mustapha
Bolanle Ogundipe
Dr. Debra R. Lamb
Dr. John Dovidio
Dr. Patrick Jean-Pierre
Richard Haynes
Dr. Fay E. Brown
Eric Adams
Darion Allen
Dana McCoy
Dr. Mahaliel Bethea

CREW

DIRECTED BY
Stacey DeWitt

WRITTEN BY
Stacey DeWitt & Chandler
DeWitt

EDITED BY
Keith DeWitt

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Paul Forbes
Sara Rea
Suzanne Morris
Dr. Meria Carstarphen
Stacey DeWitt
Sam DeWitt

CO-EXECUTIVE
PRODUCER
Chandler DeWitt

DIRECTOROF
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dino Quaglietta

SUPERVISING PRODUCER
Whitnee Ferrer

MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Tracey McKnight

MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Jonathan McHugh

COMPOSER
EmmoLei Sankofa

PRODUCERS
Collin Siedor
Adam Wilkenfeld
Gamal Palmer
Keith DeWitt
Chris Martens
Dutch Bickley
Tammie Workman

EDITORS
Coles Prince
Dave Engeran
Dutch Bickley

CONSULTING PRODUCERS
Kim Adams
Renardo Lowe

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Coles Prince
Jake Schlanger
Darion Allen

EDUCATION CONSULTANT
Dr.Scott Lee

POST PRODUCTION
Moonshine Postproduction
Bare Knuckles Creative
Magick Lantern

CAMERA OPERATORS
Dutch Bickley
Josh Tallo
Zvonimir Vidusin
Charles Debold
Michael P. Kelly
Peter Krajewski
Ryan Bunnell
Skyler Rousselet
Jon Salmon
Alex Majher
Travis Steele
Eric Hernandez
Keith DeWitt
Tyler O’Neil
William Baker

MIXERS
Mark Solomon
Chris Grehan
Charles Noseworthy III
Alexandra Parral
Michael Guske

TELEPROMPTER
Jeanette Ivers

LAW FIRMS
Berman Fink Vanhorn PC
Donaldson Callif Perez LLP

LEGAL COUNSEL
Jeff Berman
Dale Nelson
Natalie Locke

COMPANY IN CHARGE OF PRODUCTION

Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Media Officer
Educator in Chief

Stacey DeWitt
Sam Dewitt
Dutch Bickley
Tammie Workman