African Diasporans Hidden Kulture (Documentary) with Nola D. Oracle

African Diasporans Hidden Kulture: Jacksonville

Kick off Black History Month at the Library with one filmmaker's journey through Jacksonville's extraordinary (and often hidden) African American culture and heritage. Throughout the film, she visits places like LaVilla, Durkeeville, Kingsley Plantation and American Beach to illuminate the contributions of Africans and African Diasporans and to preserve their stories for the next generation.

"I created DHkulture because of my profound enthusiasm for researching the hidden aspects of African Diasporan Culture... This transformative journey has enlightened me on the extensive and impactful role African Diasporans play in shaping cultures worldwide." - Nola D. Oracle

Watch & Discuss

Attend the screening of African Diasporans Hidden Kulture, a 64-minute film, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Highlands Library. A discussion with the filmmaker will follow. 

Click to register

This "Screening Room" is part of an ongoing series of public programs that explore and collect African American history. It is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Nola D. Oracle is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and retired U.S. Army veteran from Jacksonville and Lake City, Florida. She has left an indelible mark on both national and international stages. She co-directed and co-produced New Panther: A Call for Action and leads the acclaimed African Diasporans Hidden Kulture (ADHK) film series. ADHK has won major awards—including Best Documentary at The African Film Festival (Dallas) and Inside Nollywood (Abuja)—and has been featured at the Cannes Film Market and on Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and Vimeo.

After her military service, she studied theater and scriptwriting at LaGuardia College and Africana studies at Brooklyn College before earning a business management degree from Rasmussen University. Blending her creative vision with business acumen, Nola D. founded Diaspora Whispers Studios, where she serves as CEO. She is also the founder and CEO of Diaspora Whispers Books, a publishing company focused on culturally enriching stories. 

Reading Recommendations

1. My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi
2. The Black History Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by Professor Nemata Blyden, editor
3. Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew by Michael Twitty
4. Anna Madgigine Jai Kingsley: African Princess, Florida Slave, Plantation Slaveowner by Daniel L. Schafer
5. Black Food: Stories, Art and Essays by Bryant Terry, editor
6. The Black Church: This is our Story, this is our Song by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
7. Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction by Sheree R. Thomas, editor
8. New York, My Village by Uwem Akpan
9. Homage: Recipes and Stories from an Amish Soul Food Kitchen by Chris Scott
10. The Call of Bilal: Islam in the African Diaspora by Edward E. Curtis
11. Between Harlem and Heaven by J.J. Johnson
12. The Diaspora Dilemma by Kyle Powell
13. Africans in Diaspora and Diasporas in Africa by Bulus Galadima
14. Ayo’s Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Afro to Zulu by Ain Heath Drew