TOMORROW'S HOPE, Executive produced by the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, turns some heads at SXSW EDU 2022

Executive produced by the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation, Tomorrow’s Hope looks at the journey three high school seniors in Chicago took from being part of the innovative Educare preschool’s first-ever class to graduation.

The film explores how they each navigated challenges and unforgiving roadblocks that children in that area have traditionally had, while also delving into the lingering ripple effects from their early childhood education. The audacious educators (originally from the community themselves) describe the school’s harrowing yet remarkable early stages when it was located within “Forgot-onia” – a name used to describe its home within the largest housing project in the country, in the nation’s single poorest census tract. But as dangerous and oppressive as these external surroundings may have seemed, the literal beauty and brightness of this remarkable learning center welcomed the children and provided them with an entirely different message: “you matter.”

Tomorrow’s Hope producers Tamra Raven and Aaron Steinberg were joined for their screening at SXSW EDU by one of the film’s outspoken subjects Portia Kennel to talk about the film, what it took to make it, and the ongoing issues and hurdles that teachers face as we attempt to not simply educate children, but also take care of the people charged with that responsibility of teaching them.

Certain themes came up repeatedly both during the Q&A itself as well as afterward with a number of people talking to Portia and the filmmakers. Increasing teachers’ pay. Valuing the experience, patience, and skill it takes to properly teach and care for young children to prepare them for their next education levels as well as socialization. The Educare model in Chicago and how it might be able to be applied and executed elsewhere.