At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens and his teammates proved that Adolf Hitler’s theory of Aryan Supremacy was a farce. Including Owens, there were nine African-American Olympians on the USA’s track team and they won multiple medals. The Renaissance Period of The African American in Sports is a documentary that highlights their inspirational fete.
On Thursday, May 15, the doc premiered at a special screening sponsored by Hennessy V.S and held at the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center in NYC.
Before the screening, Hennessy V.S held a private reception for the Olympians in attendance including the films executive producer and Bronze medalist Herb Douglas, film director and producer Bob Lott and Olympian father and son duo Charles Jenkins Sr. and Charles Jenkins Jr.
Olympic Gold Medalist, Gabby Douglas introduces the film and is featured alongside Nelson Mandela and several athletes in the 22 minute long documentary which is slated to go on a national tour this summer. Herb Douglas is the true definition of Hennessy’s mantra, Never stop Never settle. At 92 years old, Douglas is the oldest living Olympian and is continuing to change and impact the world.
After the screening, ABC 7 news anchor Lori Stokes moderated an enlightening Q&A session with several Olympians and took questions from the audience. Herb Douglas, shared his memories of his teammates on the track and field team during the Olympic Games and the impact that it had in the USA and abroad.
Check out photos from the screening and Q&A below.
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Photos: Joy Jacobs
