September 25 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Free
Join the UCLA Art & Global Health Center for a free screening of The Ebony Canal, directed by six-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva. The documentary examines disparities in Black infant mortality and maternal health while sharing the experiences of Black mothers and highlighting solution-driven approaches to improving health outcomes.
The film is narrated by Viola Davis and includes creative contributions from Keke Palmer, who is the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television’s 2026–27 Artist-in-Residence.
Following the screening, the director will join panelists with direct expertise in Black maternal and infant health for a discussion. Panelists will be announced shortly.
The evening also celebrates the announcement that Alaquiva will direct the mini-series pilot for Valentine Toya LeGrand, the Center’s Haitian-inspired Afrofuturist project celebrating women’s empowerment and mental health. We are seeking support to help bring this next stage of the project to life.
For a closer look at the origin story and creative foundation behind this next chapter, explore the original Valentine Toya LeGrand short film and its historical inspirations.
Schedule
- 6:30 PM — Theater opens to the public
- 7 PM — Program and screening
- 8:15 PM — Reception
RSVP encouraged but not required
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, the UCLA Bixby Center on Population and Reproductive Health, the UCLA Office of Inclusive Excellence, the Office of Inclusive Excellence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Braintree Productions.