Chris Howell Communications announced this week that its documentary This Wall Must Come Down: The Annie Burns Hicks Story has received both Silver and Bronze Awards in the 43rd Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and including Adobe, Netflix, Dow Jones, Duplass Brothers Productions, Complex Networks, Jennifer Garner, A&E Networks, Hearst Media, Nickelodeon, ESPN Films, RYOT, Partisan and Vimeo.
Executive produced and created by Roland Parrish and Chris Howell Sr., This Wall Must Come Down: The Annie Burns Hicks Story, details for the first time on film the iconic federal court battle sixty years ago, she and other civil rights trailblazers, fought for her to become the first African-American teacher in Indiana. The 34-minute documentary also features never-before-seen testimony of one of Hammond’s first Black police officers Paul Walker, school board member Albertine Dent and the attorney who represented Hicks, Richard Hatcher.
“Now, more than ever, it is necessary to celebrate video work that reflects the top tier of our
industry, such as what Mr. Parrish and Mr. Howell created,” says Telly Awards Executive Director Sabrina Dridje. “This year’s submissions reflect an industry that has returned to the important work of storytelling, one that has returned with a new perspective that values innovation, agility, equity, and tenacious creativity.”
- The public is able to view the documentary by visiting: This Wall Must Come Down
- Additional footage and soundbites from the producers: Producers Soundbites
“Growing up in our community, we all knew the story that Annie Burns Hicks had challenged the system, to become the first African American teacher. It was a personal goal of mine to document the event and share with the Burns family,” said Indiana Native Roland Parrish, the film’s writer and executive producer. “It became apparent that the story was broader than we initially thought, and that it ignited our community to become more engaged in effecting change.”
“It is a great pleasure to share the story of not only Ms. Hicks but the rich legacy other African Americans contributed to the great city of Hammond,” remarked film producer Chris Howell. “I’m hopeful future generations will derive courage, inspiration and will have a blueprint on how to stand up against the systemic inequalities that might arise.”
The announcement caps a year-long celebration of creators producing work with a
new POV and a refreshed creativity, reflecting an ever-changing landscape emerging from the difficulties and opportunities from the last few years.
“Whether it’s new ways of remote working, placing purpose at the center of a businesses key
values or providing Employee Resource Groups for communities to gather and support each
internally, says Dridje, “this year’s incredible group of winners perfectly exemplifies the many artful and unique ways video is being used to tackle these timely topics. By introducing our new categories, we’re continuing to deliver on our mission of constantly evolving with the changing industry and the world.”
Last year, The Telly Awards attracted more than 12,000 entries from top video content producers including Netflix, Jennifer Garner, HBO Latin America, Microsoft, RadicalMedia, Condé Nast, Adobe, Nickelodeon, and Partizan.
With the recent wins and well-earned attention from the industry Chris Howell Communications looks to continue telling compelling and untold narratives.
For more information about the documentary visit www.TheWallMustComeDown.com
About Chris Howell: Award-winning journalist and producer of This wall must come down: The Annie Burns Hicks Story Howell president & CEO of Chris Howell Communications LLC, a media and communications agency in Dallas. For more than 20 years, Mr. Howell has interviewed with scores of newsmakers, including Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, Mr. Motivator Zig Ziglar, leadership trainer John Maxwell, Rob Lowe, global Christian leader T.D. Jakes and many more.
About Roland Parrish: Executive Producer of This wall must come down: The Annie Burns Hicks Story Roland Parrish is the CEO of Parrish McDonald’s, Dallas Business Hall of Fame inductee and the first African American to have a facility named in his honor at his alumni Purdue University. Mr. Parrish’s career and success is founded
upon his passion for education and supporting the community. Parrish is consistently featured in Black Enterprise
Magazine’s “BE 100”, as one of the Top 100 Black Owned Businesses in the U.S., based on sales volume.
About The Telly Awards
The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 200 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies, and major television networks, reflective of the multiscreen industry The Telly Awards celebrates.
Partners of The Telly Awards include Video Consortium, Ghetto Film School, We Are Parable, Future of Film, IFP, LAPPG, NAB, Stash, NYWIFT, Production Hub, IFP, with support from The Commercial Director’s Diversity Program
