Film features five Atlanta rising artists of color performing at the intersection of art and social justice and set against the backdrop of a MARTA train magically transformed into a sound stage

(Black PR Wire) Atlanta, GA - NEXT Atlanta, MARTA Artbound, and WABE are proud to launch the premiere of ‘The NEXT Movement’ Concert Series (Season 1) – an innovative film featuring commissioned performances from five rising literary, visual, and musical artists, on Tuesday, November 21 from 7 - 9:30 pm at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Set against the backdrop of a specially commissioned MARTA train, NPR Tiny Desk-style, the concert series speaks to the impact of a global pandemic, a national racial reckoning and each artist's answer to the question: where do we go NEXT? It features performances by some of the nation’s leading artists working at the intersection of art and social justice – poet and author Jon Goode, musician CC Sunchild, cellist Okorie ‘OkCello’ Johnson, poet and author Carlos Andres Gomez, and visual artist Melissa A. Mitchell.

The film will have its national launch on WABE and the PBS PASSPORT platform in early December with this screening serving as the official, exclusive debut. 

“This film allows us to elevate the voices of our most aspiring artists of color, many of whom still struggle to gain access to share those talents. Thanks to this collaboration, we are able to amplify their artistic expression in service to social change,” said NEXT Executive Director P. Faith Carmichael. 

The November 21st event will also include a panel discussion and interactive dialogue with the audience, artists, filmmakers, and some of the city’s and nation’s leading art activists for an evening of candid conversations and soul-baring performances. 

It's all part of “The NEXT Movement” campaign, a multi-platform arts and social action effort launched in 2022 by NEXT and MARTA Artbound that aims to elevate the voices of artists, by harnessing the connective power of mass transit to address our post-pandemic dreams and challenges.

Earlier this year, WABE joined the partnership as the media home for this compelling series, airing it as part of its WABE Presents original programming and on its national PBS online platform. 

Don't miss this unique and interactive event on November 21, from 7 - 9:30 p.m. at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. 

"The NEXT Movement" film series is proudly presented by NEXT ATL in partnership with MARTA Artbound and WABE and curated by P. Faith Carmichael in partnership with Las Palmas Studios and Overnightish Films.

The film and campaign are made possible through the generous support of The NEXT Movement sponsors: The Integral Group, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Arts and Entertainment Atlanta, Orange Barrel Media, and The National Black Arts (NBAF).

To learn more visit www.next-atlanta.com or @MARTA_Artbound on Instagram.