This luncheon will begin with a screening of Screening of 47th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) film, OLYMPIC OAKS: CONTINUING JESSE OWENS’ LEGAGY + Post-Film Conversation

 Follow the life and legacy of Olympic Athlete Jesse Owens and his four gold medal victories in track and field during the 1936 Olympics. Jesse was gifted four oak tree saplings for his accomplishments, which were brought back to Ohio and planted at his mother’s house, East Tech High School, James Ford Rhodes High School, and The Ohio State University. The film explores Jesse’s athleticism and courage in the face of racism and the quest to graft the last of the surviving oak trees to honor his story for generations to come.

Post screening panel discussion moderated by CIFF Education Director Gabrielle Burrage with the following panel:

• Tyrone Owens (cousin of Jesse Owens / former Track and Field Coach at James Ford Rhodes High School)
• Jeffrey T. Verespej (Chief of Staff, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress)
• Regennia N. Williams (PhD, Distinguished Scholar of African American History and Culture, Western Reserve Historical Society)

$25/Per Person (price includes boxed lunch.) Registration is required. 

This event is part of the Cleveland History Days Celebration, for more information, visit ClevelandHistoryDays.org.