Journey Towards Justice
JTJ Documentary
An Award-Winning Documentary Exploring Civil Rights, Memory, and the Importance of Historical Understanding
Journey Towards Justice is an international award-winning documentary that examines the enduring legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of preserving and engaging with this history.
The film follows students, faculty, and staff participating in the Journey Toward Justice Maymester course, an immersive educational experience that explores key sites, stories, and voices of the Civil Rights Movement. Through personal reflection, historical inquiry, and place-based learning, participants confront the ongoing impact of this history and its relevance to contemporary issues.
Blending interviews, historical footage, and firsthand experiences, the documentary draws connections between past struggles and present-day conversations surrounding voting rights, racial justice, mass incarceration, and civic engagement. At a time when debates continue over how history is taught, Journey Towards Justice highlights the value of educational experiences that encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and deeper understanding.
Watch the Trailer
About the Film
Directed, written, and produced by Ta'Bria Snowden
Co-directed by Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, Kathleen Heide, and Nicole Luckett
Developed through the inaugural Journey Toward Justice cohort, the documentary captures the transformative impact of immersive learning and the power of engaging directly with history.
Awards and Recognition
Best Advocacy Film Award — International Black & Diversity Film Festival
Best Documentary Award — Juneteenth Florida Arts and Film Festival
Official Selection — Jackson Doc Fest
Official Selection — Black August Film Festival
Official Selection — Renaissance Black Film Festival
Official Selection — FenceSitter Film Festival
Past Showings:
Southern Sociological Society 2026 Annual Conference, Jacksonville, FL
Stageworks Theater, Tampa, FL
Host a Screening or Learn More
Journey Towards Justice is available for educational, community, and special event screenings.
Whether you are an educator, community organization, institution, or civic group, we welcome opportunities to share the film and facilitate meaningful conversations about civil rights history, civic engagement, and social justice.
To inquire about hosting a screening, attending a future viewing event, or learning more about the documentary, please contact the Institute on Black Life at instituteonblacklife@usf.edu.