Beyond the Gap

Beyond the Gap is a feature documentary exploring the phenomenon of the achievement gap, its impact on young people, their families and their communities, and some solutions to the problem. This is the story of three amazing young Black men – Raysean Jones, Deshon Smith and Grandville Taylor – and how they took ownership of their education, utilizing the support of teachers, parents and families, and community based organizations. The film is from the voice and perspective of Raysean, Deshon and Grandville as peer educators who offer the secrets of their success – and the very real obstacles placed in their path – in achieving their goals in education and in life. These brilliant young leaders use their stories to inspire others to beat the odds that are stacked against students of color.

This film is being made for young black men to inspire each other to stop the achievement gap.

These young people are not invisible ghosts.

They all have amazing stories to help each other, with the support of their extraordinary resiliency, their families, educators and community based organizations.

Beyond the Gap asks these young people themselves what they did to succeed.

We need your help to complete this important documentary.



Donate

Close the Education Gap by making a tax-deductible donation
If you would prefer to make a tax-deducible donation by check, you are welcome to do so.
All checks should be made payable to Bay Area Video Coalition and mailed to:

Bay Area Video Coalition
c/o Beyond The Gap
2727 Mariposa St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110

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The Story

Beyond the Gap tells the story of three young black men and how they achieved success and overcame the Achievement Gap.

“Don’t be afraid to take the first step…”

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Deshon Smith

“The academic way black males perform is not adding up.”arrow2

“Be your own inspiration…”

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Raysean “Ray” Jones

“If you write these kids off for not trying or stupid, you basically take away their drive to do better.”uparrow2x

“You have to want to be more than what people are holding you accountable for…”

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Grandville Taylor

“People hold us to stereotypes, it shouldn’t be that way.”arrow2

Donate

We need your help to complete this important documentary.



Donate

Close the Education Gap by making a tax-deductible donation

If you would prefer to make a tax-deducible donation by check, you are welcome to do so.
All checks should be made payable to Bay Area Video Coalition and mailed to:

Bay Area Video Coalition
c/o Beyond The Gap
2727 Mariposa St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110

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The Filmmakers

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Steve Youn

Producer and Director

Steve Youn is an Educator, Independent Filmmaker, Artist, Mental Health Counselor. Father of an SFUSD elementary school student. Distinguished service award winner by San Francisco Unified School District as Community Health Outreach Worker at George Washington High School.

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“The achievement gap is a cancer, that needs a collaborative treatment plan with students, parents, educators and community-based organizations.

We can all do more to educate and inspire our young black men in America. Grandville, Deshon and Raysean have the answers. Help us create the solutions to the achievement gap.”   

—Steve Youn

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Keith Battle

Co-Producer and Editor

Keith Battle is an independent filmmaker and video arts instructor who believes in using the tools of video creation for solving some of today’s most pressing problems. Through visual storytelling and workshops for organizations like Bay Area Video Coalition and San Francisco Urban Film Festival, Keith hopes to help underrepresented communities see themselves reflected on screen. Keith comes to the Beyond the Gap team with nearly two decades of experience working in video post production and project management.

Keith has worked as an after-school educator in Oakland and San Francisco and has seen how the educational system is set up to fail communities of color. When Steve brought the seed of the idea to the table and Keith saw the initial interviews with Deshon and Ray, he was all in. Beyond the Gap is a project Keith feels he was born to make. Through the film and accompanying curriculum Keith hopes to create positive, permanent change in our institutions of learning to the benefit and inclusion of all learners.

Events

Beyond the Gap Winter Holiday Party Fundraiser

Friday, December 14, 2018

Celebrate the holidays with the filmmakers for a Beyond the Gap Winter Wonderland fundraising event. DJ, karaoke (21+)

6:00 – 830pm

Location Bay Area Video Coalition 2727 Mariposa St, 2nd Floor San Francisco, CA 94110
$25/person tax-deductible donation (minimum)
Donation covers Beer, Wine and Light Refreshments
Donate online before the event and get a special party favor! Donations will be accepted at the door via PayPal, check, or cash.

We need your help to complete this important documentary.



Donate

Close the Education Gap by making a tax-deductible donation

If you would prefer to make a tax-deducible donation by check, you are welcome to do so.
All checks should be made payable to Bay Area Video Coalition and mailed to:

Bay Area Video Coalition
c/o Beyond The Gap
2727 Mariposa St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110

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Resources

Resources for African American Students


Office of School Health Programs (Wellness Initiative)

1515 Quintara St.
San Francisco, CA 94116
(415) 242-2615

School Health Programs is defined by the broad range of specialized skills, services, and programs we deliver to support our students and their families.


San Francisco Unified School District

HealthierSf

555 Franklin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 522-6738

Student, Family, and Community Support Department


College Track

4301 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 206-9995

info@collegetrack.org


Ever Forward Club

Ashanti Branch – Executive Director
5555 Ascot Drive
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 684-4842

everforwardclub@gmail.com


United Playaz

1038 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(888) 975-2929

info@unitedplayaz.org


Edgewood Bayview

Edgewood Family Resource Center

3801 3rd Street, Suite 601
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 682-3276


Collective Impact / Mo Magic

Ella Hill Hutch Community Center

Executive Director Rika Chambers
1050 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

rika@collectiveimpact.org


Bayview Hunter’s Point YMCA

Hunter’s Point YMCA locations

Derek Foster
1601 Lane Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 822-7228 x4203


Westside Community Service

1153 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 431-9000

Curriculum

We are currently fundraising

Coming Soon

Curriculum for youth and professional development for teachers.

We need your help to complete this important documentary.



Donate

Close the Education Gap by making a tax-deductible donation

If you would prefer to make a tax-deducible donation by check, you are welcome to do so.
All checks should be made payable to Bay Area Video Coalition and mailed to:

Bay Area Video Coalition
c/o Beyond The Gap
2727 Mariposa St., 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94110

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