Category Archives: State Constitution

New venue, tickets still available for Open Secret

OpenSecret promotional pieceA new film about the 1901 constitutional convention that led to the state of Alabama’s governing document (the world’s largest) is currently in the process of being debuted across the state.

February 26th brings the film, Open Secret, directed and produed by Melanie Jeffcoat, to the Carver Theatre (overwhelming demand for attending forced organizers to move it from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute) courtesy of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform.

The film’s script is based on the 109-year-old transcripts of the convention and reveals the issues of race, poverty and suffrage – and perhaps several other reasons why we may want to rewrite the document. Tickets are still available for the screening which will include a panel discussion with:

  • Merika Coleman, Alabama State Representative (D) for District 57 (Jefferson)
  • Paul DeMarco, Alabama State Representative (R) for District 46 (Jefferson)
  • Dr. Carol Ann Vaughn Cross, Core Curriculum Fellow, Samford University (Moderator)

“It’s a Thick Book” shows at Virginia Samford on Monday

Still image from “It’s a Thick Book” DVDJust in case you’ve missed one of the more talked about documentaries in our state, your next opportunity to view it is close (really close). The next screening of “It’s A Thick Book” in the Birmingham area is scheduled for next Monday, April 23 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Caldwell Park. The film was made by Homewood High School graduate Lewis Lehe. The ACCR Foundation has been using the forty-five minute documentary “as an entertaining and engaging way to help others learn about [the] 1901 state constitution.” The foundation is working towards constitutional reform for the world’s largest and longest governing document – the Alabama state constitution.

Just in case you miss Monday’s showing, the next screening event is scheduled for Trinity United Methodist Church on April 26 and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on May 22. You can also order your own free copy of the DVD by visiting their website (to order, click on “Get Involved” link).