[Director Neenma Ebeledike:] “Allensworth Rising: A Fight for Water” is a labor of love, justice and storytelling. As a journalist and filmmaker, I was drawn to Allensworth because of its rich history as California’s first town founded by African Americans and its continuing fight for basic rights like access to clean water. What drew me to this story was the intersection of environmental injustice, racial inequity and historical erasure, and the resilience of residents who refuse to let their town be forgotten. My vision was to create an intimate, people-centered film that amplifies the voices of those leading the fight, showing their strength and unwavering hope. 

Other clean water access news:

• Community Alliance (Fresno, Calif.): Allensworth: striving to thrive ​
• The Enterprise-Record (Chico, Calif.): Palermo and the pipeline to clean water