On Saturday, May 17th, we come together for a moment that’s been three years in the making: the private screening of The Day You Find Your Name at AMC The Grove in Los Angeles.
This event is more than just a film premiere it’s a gathering for the people who made this journey possible. From the beginning, this project was rooted in community, intention, and love. As the story of Afeni Shakur unfolds on screen, so too does the story of the filmmakers who fought to bring her legacy into the light.
The Day You Find Your Name is the USC thesis film of Dominique R. Draper (Writer/Director/Producer) and Qingyi Song (Producer), developed through the School of Cinematic Arts’ Media for Social Change course. What began as a vision during a trip to Oakland has become a cinematic tribute to a revolutionary woman—one whose name deserves to be remembered alongside the movement she helped build.
This screening is a deeply personal celebration for friends and family. We are proud to welcome Mopreme Shakur, brother of Tupac Shakur, whose presence reminds us of the living legacies connected to this story. We’re also joined by our friends at MACRO and M88, whose commitment to empowering diverse storytellers reflects the mission behind this film.
This night is for our people: the cast, the crew, the classmates, the mentors, the artists, and the ancestors. It’s a night to say thank you. A night to say: we did this together.
As the lights go down and the film begins, we honor not only Afeni’s voice, but the voices of every woman who made revolution possible from the shadows. This is their moment. This is our offering.
And this is only the beginning.
