A new documentary titled “Zora Head: The Life and Scholarship of Valerie Boyd” is set to premiere, honoring the late writer Valerie Boyd. The film showcases Boyd’s impactful contributions as an educator, journalist, and researcher, with a focus on her work surrounding Black women writers.
Valerie Boyd’s Influential Works and Research
Boyd’s most notable accomplishment was writing the award-winning biography “Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston.” She also served as the editor for “Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker.” Her dedication to research led her to spend considerable time in the archives of Alice Walker at Emory University in Atlanta.
Moreover, Boyd published “Bigger Than Bravery: Black Resilience and Reclamation in a Time of Pandemic.” This anthology revisits the Coronavirus crisis, centering on African American experiences during that period.
Documentary Highlights Boyd’s Multifaceted Impact
Clinton Fluker, the film’s director, aims to showcase Boyd’s significance beyond academia. “I hope people recognize the dedication to sharing Black women’s stories, the keen sense of self and self-worth, and the quest for freedom at the heart of Valerie’s work,” Fluker states.
The documentary features prominent Black women, including retired Spelman College dance professor Veta Goler and journalist Rosalind Bentley. These individuals speak to Boyd’s powerful voice and her impact on their work and lives.
Preserving Boyd’s Legacy for Future Generations
Gabrielle Dudley, Emory’s Rose Library interim co-Director, notes that a collection of Boyd’s papers is housed at the Rose Library. This collection includes interviews with renowned Black writers like Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou.
“Professor Boyd was a bridge who learned from generations of Black writers before her and helped to mentor, support, and sponsor a generation of writers following her,” Dudley explains. The papers document Boyd’s career and offer glimpses into the lives of literary giants in her circle.
Continued Recognition and Upcoming Premiere
Boyd’s contributions continue to be celebrated more than two years after her passing. She will be inducted as a 2024 Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame member on October 28 at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta.
The 20-minute documentary is scheduled to debut during the 2024 Bronze Lens Film Festival between August 21 and 25 at the Tara Atlanta Theater. This premiere offers an opportunity for viewers to experience Boyd’s lasting impact on literature and culture.
