Clara's Fruit
Atlanta, Georgia | Film Short
Documentary, History
Clara Muhammad is an unsung hero in American education - pioneering a private school system centered around community, faith, and scholarship. Ninety years later, her great-grandson carries her torch as the principal of one of the schools in Atlanta. Be part of our journey in preserving her legacy.
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This campaign raised $23,155 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
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Clara Muhammad is an unsung hero in American education - pioneering a private school system centered around community, faith, and scholarship. Ninety years later, her great-grandson carries her torch as the principal of one of the schools in Atlanta. Be part of our journey in preserving her legacy.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Embark on a captivating journey delving into a 90-year legacy of Islamic education, culture, and resilience with Clara's Fruit. Explore the impactful vision of Sister Clara Muhammad, who during the depths of a tumultuous Jim Crow era, stood tall alongside her husband, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, defying fear and resistance. Together, they embarked on a mission to redefine education and freedom for African-Americans during the 1930s and beyond by launching a home school program that evolved into 40+ private schools across the country.
The film will blend historical archives, intimate visual portrayals of current and former students, and personal reflections from Sister Clara Muhammad's family, including great-grandson, Khalil Ali, the current principal at the school that's been established in Atlanta for over 50 years.
As a storyteller driven by a passion for sharing untold narratives, Clara’s Fruit is more than another project for Morgan—it's a testament to the power of filmmaking in capturing the essence of human experiences. Morgan's journey into Islam, fatherhood, and the rich cultural tapestry of different communities he's been a part of have fueled his commitment to telling this specific story. View some of his work over the years.
Additionally, we are being guided and supported by mentors in the community who have spent a significant amount of years (as administrators, students, volunteers, or parents being connected to Clara Muhammad Schools (across the US) and the Islamic Education system created under the leadership of the late Iman Warith Deen Mohammed (RA).
We have a phenomenal team bringing this project to life
Production started, but your support will help us complete the film.
Complete Filming: February 2024
Complete Editing: April 2024
Submit to Film Festivals: April - Aug 2024
Trailer Release: May 2024
Public / Digital Screenings/ Community Activations: June 2024 and Beyond
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying the Crew
Costs $15,000
Our talented and hardworking crew needs to be paid for their labor and equipment over the course of 4-5 days
Feeding the Crew
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our crew over the course of 4-5 days.
Post Production
Costs $5,500
Once filming is complete, we need to pay our editing team to bring the film to the finish line!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MORGAN MATHEWS , Director/EP
Morgan Mathews is a writer-director exploring a wide spectrum of storytelling across nuances of experiences related to family dynamics, community life, and the complicated feelings of living in a polarizing world. At the core, Morgan cares deeply about bringing stories to life so generations to come can remember the identities that shaped their realities and imaginations.
RASHAD MUBARAK , Co-EP
Rashad Mubarak is a former journalist-turned screenwriter and producer with a focus on telling stories about young Muslims and other underrepresented groups surviving in the American South. An Alumni of Mohammad Schools of Atlanta and recepient of the Producers Guild of America Power of Diversity Fellowship, he's worked as a production manager on multiple TV shows including OWN TV's "Rebuilding Black Wall Street", hosted by Morris Chestnut.
LOVE SOULEY , Producer
Love Soulèy is a Haitian American storyweaver and visual archivist whose work is centered around the cultural preservation of Melanated & Indigenous communities. Through producing, directing, and archiving she explores themes of communal healing, culture, human behavior, ancestral wisdom, spirituality & earth based connection.
AÏDAH A. RASHEED, Producer
Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed is an educator, filmmaker, photographer, and multimedia producer. With two decades of experience, she has overseen multimedia projects and strategic initiatives for esteemed arts, cultural, and educational institutions across three continents. Driven by a profound commitment, Aïdah strives to capture and share light, constructing beacons of connection and understanding within our collective human experience.
NEIA OMER, Impact Producer
Neia Omer is an Ethiopian American storyteller passionate about building partnerships and programming that connect diverse audiences to educational and socially impactful resources. As a thought leader Neia is committed to championing social change through community engagement efforts, raising awareness of cultural topics, and fostering dialogue and action within the filmmaking process.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Embark on a captivating journey delving into a 90-year legacy of Islamic education, culture, and resilience with Clara's Fruit. Explore the impactful vision of Sister Clara Muhammad, who during the depths of a tumultuous Jim Crow era, stood tall alongside her husband, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, defying fear and resistance. Together, they embarked on a mission to redefine education and freedom for African-Americans during the 1930s and beyond by launching a home school program that evolved into 40+ private schools across the country.
The film will blend historical archives, intimate visual portrayals of current and former students, and personal reflections from Sister Clara Muhammad's family, including great-grandson, Khalil Ali, the current principal at the school that's been established in Atlanta for over 50 years.
As a storyteller driven by a passion for sharing untold narratives, Clara’s Fruit is more than another project for Morgan—it's a testament to the power of filmmaking in capturing the essence of human experiences. Morgan's journey into Islam, fatherhood, and the rich cultural tapestry of different communities he's been a part of have fueled his commitment to telling this specific story. View some of his work over the years.
Additionally, we are being guided and supported by mentors in the community who have spent a significant amount of years (as administrators, students, volunteers, or parents being connected to Clara Muhammad Schools (across the US) and the Islamic Education system created under the leadership of the late Iman Warith Deen Mohammed (RA).
We have a phenomenal team bringing this project to life
Production started, but your support will help us complete the film.
Complete Filming: February 2024
Complete Editing: April 2024
Submit to Film Festivals: April - Aug 2024
Trailer Release: May 2024
Public / Digital Screenings/ Community Activations: June 2024 and Beyond
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Paying the Crew
Costs $15,000
Our talented and hardworking crew needs to be paid for their labor and equipment over the course of 4-5 days
Feeding the Crew
Costs $1,500
We need to feed our crew over the course of 4-5 days.
Post Production
Costs $5,500
Once filming is complete, we need to pay our editing team to bring the film to the finish line!
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
MORGAN MATHEWS , Director/EP
Morgan Mathews is a writer-director exploring a wide spectrum of storytelling across nuances of experiences related to family dynamics, community life, and the complicated feelings of living in a polarizing world. At the core, Morgan cares deeply about bringing stories to life so generations to come can remember the identities that shaped their realities and imaginations.
RASHAD MUBARAK , Co-EP
Rashad Mubarak is a former journalist-turned screenwriter and producer with a focus on telling stories about young Muslims and other underrepresented groups surviving in the American South. An Alumni of Mohammad Schools of Atlanta and recepient of the Producers Guild of America Power of Diversity Fellowship, he's worked as a production manager on multiple TV shows including OWN TV's "Rebuilding Black Wall Street", hosted by Morris Chestnut.
LOVE SOULEY , Producer
Love Soulèy is a Haitian American storyweaver and visual archivist whose work is centered around the cultural preservation of Melanated & Indigenous communities. Through producing, directing, and archiving she explores themes of communal healing, culture, human behavior, ancestral wisdom, spirituality & earth based connection.
AÏDAH A. RASHEED, Producer
Aïdah Aliyah Rasheed is an educator, filmmaker, photographer, and multimedia producer. With two decades of experience, she has overseen multimedia projects and strategic initiatives for esteemed arts, cultural, and educational institutions across three continents. Driven by a profound commitment, Aïdah strives to capture and share light, constructing beacons of connection and understanding within our collective human experience.
NEIA OMER, Impact Producer
Neia Omer is an Ethiopian American storyteller passionate about building partnerships and programming that connect diverse audiences to educational and socially impactful resources. As a thought leader Neia is committed to championing social change through community engagement efforts, raising awareness of cultural topics, and fostering dialogue and action within the filmmaking process.