BE: A Raised Fist Mixtape Vol.1

After the passing of a Warrior in the Struggle, three modern activists confront what it means to be For the People.

Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not that of a day, a week, a month, or a year; it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make
some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.

- John Lewis, Civil Rights Activist and Congressman

Be: A Raised Fist Mixtape Vol.1 is a feature-length documentary produced by 2015’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones Courage Award recipient, Laura Cowan (as seen on Anderson Cooper Live, Tamron Hall Show, Discovery Channel’s “House of Horrors”, iDiscovery and Dr. Phil), and visionary director Joddy Eric Matthews, MadWerkz (Bally/Fox Sports/Netflix's King of The Block, 2018 “Best Documentary” Winner, 2020 “Best Documentary” Winner, Emmy Award Winner). Three Human Rights Activists to look backwards and toward the future of the Activism movement in Cleveland, Ohio.

With roots going back past the Cleveland Summit (Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Lew Alcindor), Cleveland, Ohio has a rich and deep history of human, civil, labor, women’s, and the overall struggle for equality. Be: Volume 1 examines the lives of everyday people who spend their lives as advocates and activists for something greater than themselves while studying the history of activism in the city in which they live. Volume 1 takes a look at Cleveland, Ohio. Whether it's the Civil Rights movement of the ’60s and beyond or those who fight and sacrifice to free Ukraine. From the constant search for the Missing to the fight for Criminal Justice and Women’s Rights. BE attempts to shine a light on these lives.