A Growing Awareness

OUAT Blog for May 23rd

In light of the change of seasons that are currently upon us, it is impossible to ignore the "signs of the times".  In addition to allergies, wet weather and warmer days, the winds of change in our communities are making themselves known as well.

I had the distinct pleasure of being a part of the Celebrate Jackson Ward festivities that took place over the weekend at Abner Clay Park in Richmond, Virginia. These festivities marked a monumental time for this National Landmark District.  The Executive Director of the Richmond Symphony, Mr. David Fisk, spoke with me about the importance of community engagement and why a cultural institution like the Richmond Symphony came on board to not only support the community with an outdoor concert (albeit cancelled due to weather), but even went so far as to fund the video documentary OUAT produced, Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future (currently showing at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia).

Likewise, just 40 miles away in Powhatan County, OUAT was central in planning a public protest organized to bring awareness to the threat of the sale of the 2,200 acre property, a property that has been in service to the African American community and stewarded by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament since the late 1800's. Over 400 concerned citizens came out 2 weeks ago to show support and to stand in solidarity for the preservation of this historic space. 

As I participate in these events and speak with community leaders and organizers, there is a growing awareness that the need for "us" to actively participate in preserving "our" institutions, communities and neighborhoods is indeed growing. Whether the threat is covert gentrification, land developers poaching properties from minority communities or just the lack of awareness from residents with regards to the historic value of their space, this is the time in which we are currently living.

And as our residents grow older, the younger generation, my generation, must now begin to make its mark on the ways in which we will be the voice for the future preserving the stories of our  history. So we all must take into account the reality of our cause(s) and our situation(s), as well as be mindful and sensitive to what is at stake and consider all that may be lost due to our inaction.

Omega Psi Phi, Delta Omega Chapter, with youth mentees at the BHM screening of the Jackson Ward Documentary

Historical Perspective...

OUAT Blog for May 9th

Last week was the grand opening of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia located in the National Historic Landmark District of Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia. This museum represents a vital resource to the entire community bringing awareness of a long and little known history of  generations of people and families who have fought for "equality and justice for all",  a phrase used by Mr. John Thomas Mitchell, a Jackson Ward resident we interviewed who will celebrate his 100th birthday this October.

OUAT was tasked with producing a short documentary video, "Celebrating Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future" sponsored by the Richmond Symphony.  This opportunity enabled me to personally speak to men and women who represent the Jackson Ward neighborhood and to see that history through their life experience as former residents spanning over 90 years.

Even though I grew up in and around the city of Richmond, I realized just how little I knew about my own "hometown" when we started filming.  Once the process got underway, I quickly began to realize that my participation was actually more than just documenting history, it was passing on this history to those who, like myself, had never known or heard these stories before.

This experience has caused me to have a serious shift in my historical perspective in which I now view my hometown and the people who are alive today who have imparted their history to me.  The perspective of our collective history now causes me to have an even deeper appreciation for the Mr. Mitchell's of the world, or the impact of Mrs. Maggie L. Walker, or the appreciation for the alumni of Armstrong High School from the 1930's or Maggie Walker High School alumni from the 1950's.

My historical perspective is changing... it's growing... and I am learning to appreciate things today that I never gave thought to yesterday. Whether they be buildings, locations or people, my hometown's value has taken on a fresh new meaning... a meaning that I am proud to share and honored to be a part of for the generations to come.

Ryan Heathcock, Dr. Lauranett Lee & Mr. Gary L. Flowers co-producers of "Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future".

The Art of Listening

OUAT Blog for May 2nd

Over the years there has been an unmistakable shortcoming I have had, and still work on to overcome. And that shortcoming is the art of listening.  Recently I was having a conversation with a colleague and they were expressing the challenges of teaching college journalism students how to conduct interviews.  The challenge was not in the asking of questions so much as it was the challenge in teaching students how to ask "the follow up question".

What is the follow up question?  Well the follow up question is the question that confirms to the person with whom you are speaking, or in their case interviewing, that you were actually listening to their answer and digging deeper to gain more insight and understanding.

This week OUAT has been working with Historian and Curator Dr. Lauranett Lee to video record members of the Historic Jackson Ward community in Richmond, VA. The "conversations", aka interviews, have been just an amazing testimony of being transported back in time to see, hear and even feel what life was like in my home town from the 1920's to the present time.

Listening and responding to each persons account is, in my view, another "sweet science" that I feel is not only important within the profession of journalism and video documenting Oral Histories, it is also something that I find is just as important and applicable in my daily conversations with my friends and loved ones.

In short, the Art of Listening is something I will continue to work on as I spend quality time conversing with my mother, my father, my brothers, my daughter and every person I love and every person I come in contact with, whether or not the camera is rolling. 

The appreciation on the faces of those Dr. Lee has interviewed this week is a testiment of this craft. And, on a personal level, it causes me to see and realize that I still have a lot to learn when it comes to honing this craft because I want to convey to the ones I love and care for that they have been valued when they can see and hear that I have been listening.

Have a great week of listening my friends.

Dr. Lauranett Lee & Mr. Gary Flowers speaking with Dr. Oliver Hill, Jr.

When It's Your Time

OUAT Blog for April 25th

Last week there were a number of notable public figures that transitioned.  The most notable of these was Prince Rogers Nelson, aka "Prince". Much has been spoken of regarding his impact on the music industry, his impact on how we view ourselves as individuals and how important it is to be clear on ones focus in life and not being deterred from achieving your goals.  From his benefit performances and his financial giving, there is so much, and more, that can and will be said of this one man, this Artist.

I established OUAT initially for the sole purpose to preserve historical legacies through video.  I could not help but be profoundly impacted by the overwhelming number of video postings of his performances, as well as the artist’s tributes that were on social media.  Being able to watch, listen and immerse myself back in time and feel the music and have it speak to me, again, was just a surreal and emotionally personal experience.

One overarching and lasting impression I was left with was that through all the tears, smiles and memories relived looking back on this one mans career, seeing those video clips brought me an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, happiness, gladness and joy.  As sad as it is to loose a person, whether or not they were a family member or a close personal friend, having that "celebration of life" video to watch and reflect on was just a powerful example of why we should all seriously consider video documenting our stories.

May the tributes continue. May we all smile and reflect with gladness of how Prince and others, who have passed, have blessed us with their presence during their time with us here. And may we pass on these memories, these tributes, to the coming generations, so they too can celebrate and be touched by the magic that was their life.

Early Childhood Education

Last week I had a meeting with the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament to discuss the state of their new preschool, the FrancisEmma Preschool at Belmead. This is a new private school in Powhatan County VA, now open for children between the ages of 3 and 4. The school exists because the Sisters recognized a need within their community to make quality, affordable pre-school education available to the residents of Powhatan and the surrounding counties.

While Once Upon A Time's (OUAT) primary mission is to ensure that our individual and collective histories are preserved and passed on to the coming generations, the concern the Sisters shared with me regarding the state of quality education in their community was very disturbing.

As a parent of a 3 year old I can say that I know personally just how important and impactful early childhood education has been for my own child.  Ryan Victoria has been enrolled in a structured pre-school program since she was 2 and there is no question that she has benefitted greatly from this exposure.

This week OUAT launches its partnership with the FrancisEmma Preschool to help promote early childhood education in Powhatan and Cumberland Counties of Virginia.  As a responsible "Community Partner" I feel that it is now part of my civic duty to do what I can to help aid and assist parents, like me, to expose their children to the benefits of a quality early childhood education. 

It's not only the history we leave for our children, it's also what we impart to them that will bear fruit when they become adults. And that starts with a quality education.

The Owls Nest School in Accra, Ghana

My daughter was enrolled here from the age of 2

Where Motivation Begins

This past week has taught me a great deal about the importance of clear and thoughtful communication as I continue to focus my energies on the success of my business, Once Upon A Time (OUAT).  Thankfully, I had a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining focus on the success of OUAT from a practical point of view and from a personal point of view.

My consultant, 2nd Chance Consulting, whom I highly recommend, reminded me in the most direct and professional way that in order for OUAT to reach it's potential, the details pertaining to deadlines and thoughtful communication are essential.  Being respectful to the time given by others who are  investing into the success of OUAT is what will be the difference between true and lasting achievement or ultimate failure.  Honoring those who are not just clients, but well wishers, sideline supports and those who simple want to see you succeed, are all a part of what makes getting up and going for it a motivation in and of itself.

Excellence is a goal that is attained through hard work, dedication and perseverance. As a former athlete, I know all too well how much sacrafice it takes to become a success on the field of play. As an honors student in college, I understand the value in long hours of study in order to achieve academic excellence as well.  So, in the game, that is my life, I play to win, and by win I mean to achieve through hard work, perseverance and dedication to excellence, for myself, for my clients and ultimately for my daughter who will one day ask me, "Daddy, what do you do and why?".

Here's to another week of dedicated excellence for myself, to my clients and for the continued success of my dream that is OUAT.

The "C" Word Conversation

Last week I had one of those rare moments when I found myself totally preoccupied with something OTHER than what I should have been paying closer attention to... my Dad.

One of the major catalysts behind the creation of OUAT is my father. His backstory of being born and left behind as an orphan in post WWII Germany, and his desire to video document his story is what has become the foundation for my company and is at the heart of its mission.

Several years ago my father was diagnosed with 2nd stage colon cancer. We never really talked in detail about his experience. We talked about the procedure, the recovery and how fortunate he was that all the cancer cells had been removed and that today he is cancer free. So, it was out of the blue that he had this desire to share with me more details about his thoughts, his fears, his regrets and most importantly, his wish that I be be informed "just in case" I was ever faced with the same situation when I got older.

As I reflect on this conversation with my dad, I am reminded just how important it is to take the time to pay attention and fight distractions when our parents are trying to impart something to us, no matter how grown we think we are or how much we think we know.

OUAT is a "change agent" and creates a positive experience for my clients through recording and documenting these moments. Collectively we share experiences that will continue to positively impact our families, our communities and our world. And it all starts with listening and sharing.

Me, Ryan Heathcock, with my dad Virgil Johannes "Kirmess" Heathcock (cancer survivor)

Langobardenstraße, Munich, Germany 2008