“Outstanding, thoughtful, exceptional. Helps all of us to examine our conscience and call forth our unconscious biases”

-Elizabeth Kautz, Past President U.S Conference of Mayors

“Impressive and Impactful”

-Bill Walton, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, TV Sportscaster

"I was so fortunate to participate in this communal effort about systemic racism. Learn some things as I did and pass it on”

-Bruce Greenwood, actor (JFK in 13 Days)

“I highly recommend this documentary that explores systemic racism and its roots…It's so well-done, informative, and inspiring and free on Youtube!”

-Alicia Silverstone, Golden Globe nominated Best Actor

“Will indeed move humanity forward”

-Maria Shriver, Journalist

“Wow! Brilliant work. Packed full of the portrayal of Systemic Racism’s problems and solutions”

-Patty Wetterling, Chair: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

“Great pics, great music, great call to action. Will definitely make a difference in this fight.”

-Tony Sanneh, Former Professional World Cup Soccer Player whose foundation serves inner city youth

SPARK USAGE

ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING RACIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL SENSITIVITY EDUCATION

Corporations, Small Businesses, Schools, Spiritual Organizations, Fraternities and Sororities, Community Centers, Libraries, Government Agencies and Municipalities, Parent-Teacher Associations 

Consider using Spark to help accomplish your organization’s racial-justice and racial-sensitivity goals.  

Spark is presented in complete, abbreviated, and mini versions to help conform to what your organization is hoping to accomplish.

“With Documentary, San Diego Couple Commit to Anti-Racism Work”

San Diego Union-Tribune
January 31, 2021
by Lisa Deaderick

“Spark: A Systemic Racism Story” – Just 32 Minutes to Start Unlearning”

Downtown Weekly LA
December 9, 2020
by Abel Weiss

“Spark: A Systemic Racism Story by Senior Producer, Mary Wescott, and Tom Gegax, Producer, Entrepreneur, Best-selling Author, and Philanthropist”

The Hollywood Times
January 6, 2021
by Jules Lavallee

“Minnesota can do better on Black economic inclusion”

Star Tribune
 December 29, 2020
by Neal St. Anthony

“Former resident is inspired by recent events to help fight racism”

Plain Dealer - Sun
January 20, 2021

“Vernon Jordan, Civil Rights Leader and D.C. Power Broker, Dies at 85”

New York Times - March 2, 2021 by Neil A. Lewis

“This Part of U.S. History is Still Undiscovered”

National Geographic - February 1, 2021
by Debra Adams Simmons

Till (film)

2022 Biographical Drama, Based on a True Story

“The Who We Are Project”

Expose, Activate, Inspire

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS

HUNTINGTON BEACH CULTURAL CINEMA SHOWCASE

HUMANITARIAN AWARD- OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

DONATE

You can share your appreciation for Spark by becoming a Black Community Ally. Donate to Black Community causes like the following, to which we have no connection. (For info on any non-profit, go to Charity Navigator.)

The Gegax Family Foundation, along with Amateur Films and Spark, does not accept donations, payments, or gifts. 

CLICK TO DONATE

SPARK’S EVOLUTION

Spark began when San Diego couple Mary and Tom, shocked by the tragic death of George Floyd in their hometown of Minneapolis, marched in protest in June 2020.

Mary and Tom took photos, shot videos, and started making a short video for family. One thing led to another and news clips and historical context were added. The deeper they went, the more inspired they became. Soon, like-minded, “quaranteaming” neighbors joined them to make their first documentary. 

While Tom and Mary had no experience, Tom had observed his son, Chris, produce short films. His son Trent, a lifetime racial justice advocate, played an important role in Spark’s creation as well.

The title Spark came from Associate Producer Julie who said, “The George Floyd protests are sparking not just fires but a nationwide moral awakening.” During Spark’s production, more and more collaborators came on board with the goal of shedding light on systemic racism in America.

THANK YOU
To all the black, brown, and white reviewers who gave precious time to the production of Spark.

Amateur Films

Mary thought of the name, Amateur Films. It’s our first film. We learned as we went from those more experienced, especially about the intricacies of post-production.

Tom’s business leadership experience helped in the process of producing Spark. The team included talented and passionate neighbors, their equally talented and passionate children, our narrator, writers, editors, a composer, and sound and color experts.

Divine intervention created and guided our three-generation team.

Bruce Greenwood
Narrator

Bruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and producer. He is known for his role as President John F. Kennedy in "Thirteen Days," as Captain Christopher Pike in J.J. Abram’s "Star Trek" series, and as Gil Garcetti in "The People v. OJ Simpson." He has also been the voice of Batman..

T. Trent Gegax
Story & Editing Producer

Trent is cofounder of Gramercy Fund LLC, an early-stage venture capital partnership. Previous to that, Trent was a correspondent for Newsweek magazine where assignments included George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Trent also assisted Al Gore with his New York Times best seller, “The Assault on Reason” (Penguin, 2007).

Denise Terenzio 
Story & Editing Producer

As a syndication and network news producer, Denise knows she has been very lucky to write and produce stories about everyday people doing extraordinary things, and extraordinary people changing the world. Throughout her broadcast career, many of her stories had a social justice component, but  the nuance and sensitivity she learned from this documentary in particular has been both awakening, and humbling.

Stephanie Ramirez
Associate Producer

Stephanie Ramirez is currently a Personal Assistant, mom, wife, and friend...
Spark has made her realize that she can do anything she puts her mind to. Spark has awakened her to care more about issues that affect our community, to step up and do things she’s never done before to make a change.

Mitzi Mayer
Associate Producer

Car trips in the U.S. and across the borders, friends of all faiths, colors, and walks of life, summer in South Africa in 1979, residing in small towns and big cities, traveling the world, volunteering near and far and practicing Architecture, Photography and Filmmaking are a few of the chapters that define my on-going journey. I taught my daughter (or maybe she taught me) “Never be afraid to raise your hand, to admit that you don’t have the answer or to stay quiet when you witness a wrong against yourself or others.”

Julie Manriquez
Associate Producer

Julie Manriquez is a professional writer, yogi, mom, and enthusiastic social justice ally.  She is grateful for her experience on the Spark team, where she continues to listen, learn, and delve deep into the root causes of racism as she actively "unlearns” the historical narrative that obliterated Black Americans’ authentic story.  Julie hopes that viewers will challenge themselves to the same self-examination and uncover unconscious biases, turning this catalytic moment in history into progress.

Hanne Manriquez
Outreach Coordinator

Hanne Manriquez is a recent graduate of Syracuse University’s BFA Acting program. She is grateful to work with the Spark production team to inspire viewers to become equality allies who ask, listen, show up, and speak up.

Alex Flagg
Outreach Coordinator

Alex grew up in La Jolla, CA and then pursued a degree in Communications at the University of Southern California. While living in Los Angeles, Alex discovered her passion for TV and film and hopes to make an impact on the industry in the future.

Joan Flagg
Production Supervisor

We had a great teacher in Joan Flagg. She was key to our team and worked tirelessly on Spark. She sourced the narrator, the color correcting people, the sound people, the music people, additional writer, etc. She showed a lot of dedication to Spark.

To the 14 black Shell Oil service station owners in my Chicago Southside territory who treated me like family and protected me from harm during the late 60's civil rights uprisings.

To J.C. Neely, who taught me entrepreneurship; Albert Sams, never taught to read or write, who trusted me to write his checks; Moses Winford, who bailed me out of Cook County jail; and Johnny Mangrum, always with a ready smile, murdered during my stint.