Spotlighting the forgotten stories of Black educators who pushed the fight for integration and highlighting the experiences of those who continue the fight today.

About the film

Compromised spotlights the forgotten stories and advocacy work of Black Educators who drove the fight for integration and Brown vs Board of Education.

The narration of our esteemed professors, teacher educators, and professionals in education will give voice to those Black Educators while exploring the fallout of their decision to fight. The audience will see how the fight for equity has evolved over the years, the complexity of advocating for students, and the unique experience of Black Educators today.

Official Trailer

The Story No One Has Told Before

While many films explore school desegregation, few highlight the pivotal role of Black educators in advancing the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Their dedication, leadership, and sacrifices have largely gone unrecognized — until now.

This documentary not only illuminates their vital contributions but also examines the lasting impact of integration on public schools. Rather than focusing solely on the challenges of segregated education, it celebrates the excellence of Black schools and the vision Black educators brought to shaping equitable, empowering learning environments for their students.

Where do we go from here?

What do Black Educators need?

This documentary hopes to serve as a vehicle to engage critical thinking around our education system and push the needle forward in the fight for equity and inclusion for teachers and students.

Meet the Cast


  • Dr. Croft serves as an Assistant Professor in the department of Educational Leadership as well as Coordinator of the Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) program at the university where she teaches. She also is the Director of Teaching In the Urban South (TITUS) and co-author of Living the Legacy of African American Education (Critical Black Pedagogy in Education).


  • Stephen Smith comes from a family of educators and currently serves as a fifth-grade teacher. He began his career in higher education as an academic advisor before transitioning to the classroom, driven by a desire to make a deeper, more direct impact on students’ lives.


  • Ayodele is an education professional with more than 15 years of experience supporting schools and expanding student access in Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Johannesburg, South Africa. His work has centered on eliminating racial disparities by developing impactful, equity-driven leaders and organizations. He also serves as the Director of BME’s Talk, a national initiative dedicated to the retention, leadership development, and recruitment of Black male educators.

  • Dr. Sadye Potter is a former school counselor at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia. She comes from a proud legacy of educators—her mother taught for more than 30 years at Atlanta’s historic Booker T. Washington and Howard High Schools during segregation.


  • Alyssa is a dedicated first-grade teacher. Her passion for education was instilled at a young age and continues to drive her commitment to student growth and learning. In recognition of her excellence and impact in the classroom, Alyssa has received several accolades, including being named Teacher of the Year.


  • Dr. Tuqwan Taylor is an Assistant Principal based in Atlanta with over 15 years of experience in the field of education. His scholarly research examines the impacts of high-stakes standardized testing on low-income Black students, with a particular focus on urban education. Through his work, Dr. Taylor continues to explore and address the educational inequities that arise from systemic and institutional school practices.

Director

Rachel Hardy

Rachel is the director of Compromised, guiding the project from concept to screen. In addition to directing, she oversaw the film’s creative vision, shaping its style, look, and overall aesthetic to bring the story to life.

Rachel also served as the film’s editor, ensuring that every frame, rhythm, and narrative beat reflected the intended emotional impact and storytelling vision.

Upcoming Events

Compromised: The Black Educator’s Fight for Equity

Screening and Panel Discussion

December 4, 2025

Cinevision Corporation

3300 Northeast Expy Ste 2A

Chamblee, Georgia 30341

RSVP

Overview

Join Community in Focus for a screening of Compromised: The Black Educator's Fight for Equity, an award-winning documentary by Rachel Hardy.

About the event

Join Community in Focus for a special screening of Compromised: The Black Educator’s Fight for Equity, an award-winning documentary by Rachel Hardy. The film uncovers the untold story of America’s education system through the lens of Black educators whose advocacy during Brown v. Board of Education reshaped history. It follows their push for justice and the aftermath that upended their lives while redefining education across generations.

After the film, stay for a live panel discussion moderated by Donna Lowry, featuring the director and other special guests. The evening will bring together educators, nonprofit leaders, and community members to explore themes of equity, storytelling, and systemic change in education.

What to expect

Doors open at 6:00 PM for networking, light refreshments, and community connection. The program will begin shortly after, featuring a 40-minute screening of Compromised followed by a live discussion.

Presented by

Community in Focus: a storytelling platform that supports community-driven organizations through film, events, and capacity-building workshops.

Sponsored by

BMEsTalk: a leadership network that empowers black male educators to connect, grow, and lead with purpose and impact.

Reserve your seat

Admission is free, but seating is limited. RSVP today!

Donna Lowry

Panel Moderator

  • Donna Lowry is a highly accomplished, award-winning journalist and communication expert. She is passionate about storytelling and empowering others with communication and critical thinking skills.

    She hosts several popular shows, including Lawmakers and Lawmakers: Beyond the Dome, on GPB-TV.

    Donna spent nearly three decades at WXIA-TV, 11Alive News (NBC affiliate). She later served as chief communications officer for Fulton County Schools and director of communications for the Cobb County School District. Donna's impressive credentials include a degree in Mass Communications/Administration and Management from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University.

    She has won eight Regional Emmy Awards, three National Gabriel Awards, and several other awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, The Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Georgia Association of Educators, and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

    Donna is an active member of professional affiliations such as the Atlanta Press Club, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.

RSVP

RSVP for our Atlanta screening and panel discussion.

Get in Contact with Us about Compromised

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