Uncover
The Story
When the descendants of enslaved landowners reunite in rural Alabama, they uncover a buried legacy of stolen land, oil corruption, and environmental trauma, setting off a multigenerational battle to reclaim what was taken and expose the truth.
Meet Raya Salter
Raya is the heart of Black Soil Rising
A fierce advocate, truth-teller, and descendant of the land she’s fighting to protect. Her journey threads personal history with the urgent struggle for justice, exposing the hidden forces behind Black land loss. She’s not just telling the story, she’s actually living it.
Why This Film Why Now?
The fight for Black land is at a breaking point. Across the South, generations-old family property is being swallowed by industry, stolen through legal loopholes, or abandoned under economic pressure. In communities like Raya’s, oil rigs now stand where farms once thrived, and the soil carries the weight of both history and harm. This isn’t just about acreage — it’s about identity, health, and the survival of a legacy.
Land Loss: Black families are losing their land at alarming rates, erasing generational wealth and uprooting communities.
Environmental Racism: Oil and gas operations are poisoning air, water, and soil in historically Black areas — with little accountability.
Legacy: Without action, centuries of resilience, culture, and ownership will vanish for future generations.
The Voices of Black Soil Rising
A movement is only as strong as the people who speak for it. Black Soil Rising brings together the personal stories, expertise, and lived experiences of those on the frontlines of the fight for land, health, and justice.
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Willie Neal Johnson
Direct Johnson Descendant
A descendant of the Johnson family, Willie Neal is a voice of history and resilience carrying the memory, legacy, and fight to protect what remains.
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Jermaine Williams
Johnson Family Member
A Johnson family member and vocal advocate, Jermaine uses his wisdom & his voice to preserve legacy, expose injustice, and amplify the voices of those too often overlooked.
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Janice Stallworth
Conecuh County Resident
A lifelong resident of Conecuh County, Janice speaks out about the health crises linked to nearby oil operations, sharing her family’s painful journey through illness, loss, and resilience.
Donate
Your contribution directly supports community organizing, legal advocacy, and educational outreach. Every dollar helps us defend land, amplify frontline voices, and hold polluters accountable.
Host a Screening
Bring Black Soil Rising to your campus, community center, church, or organization. We’ll provide the film, discussion guide, and resources so you can inspire dialogue and mobilize action where it matters the most.
Volunteer
Join our network of advocates, historians, educators, and organizers. Whether you can give time, share skills, or connect us with resources, your partnership strengthens the movement.
Become a Volunteer
Stay Connected
This is bigger than a film, it’s a movement.
Join our mailing list to get the latest on screenings, community actions, and ways to stand with us in the fight for land, legacy, and justice.
Contact Us
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