Hampton Art Lovers : "Movies Under a Simple Tree" featuring "Interstate"

HAMPTON ART LOVERS PRESENTS MOVIES UNDER A SIMPLE TREE Featuring the documentary Interstate Hosted by Urgent Inc. Sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins (District 5) ABOUT THE FILM Interstate is an inspiring and thought-provoking documentary that explores the complex legacy of the U.S. Interstate Highway System — a project that transformed America’s landscape and economy, but also tore through the heart of many Black communities. Launched a decade after World War II under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 41,000-mile, $51-billion network stands as both an engineering triumph and a cautionary tale about progress at the expense of people. In Miami, the film examines the deep scars left by the construction of Interstate 95, which cut directly through the thriving and self-sustaining neighborhood of Overtown — once known as “the Harlem of the South.” Overtown was home to a flourishing Black business district, world-renowned music venues, churches, and families who built the cultural and economic foundation of Miami. When the highway was built in the 1960s, hundreds of homes and businesses were demolished, displacing more than 10,000 residents and forever fragmenting a community rich in history and identity. The documentary situates Overtown’s story within a broader national pattern of urban renewal projects that uprooted Black neighborhoods — including Rondo (Saint Paul), Treme (New Orleans), and West Baltimore’s “Highway to Nowhere” — as well as the targeting of civil rights leaders’ homes in Montgomery. Through powerful storytelling, Interstate highlights resilience in the face of displacement, examining issues such as redlining, public health impacts, and the ongoing fight for equitable redevelopment. A CONVERSATION ON LEGACY AND RESTORATION > “This film sheds light on a history that has been overlooked for too long,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who is featured in the film. “While the Interstate system is celebrated as an engineering marvel, we must also acknowledge the devastating consequences it had on Black communities — their homes, businesses, and culture. We hope to spark important conversations about repairing this damage and moving forward by amplifying the stories of resilience from these communities.” FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING 📍 Historic Ward Rooming House 249 NW 9th Street, Miami, FL 33136 📅 Thursday, November 7th 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 🎬 Join us for film, conversation, and community under the stars. PRESENTED BY HAMPTON ART LOVERS In partnership with Urgent Inc. and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eilleen Higgins (District 5)