WHEN: Saturday, November 8th at 4:30 PM
WHERE: First Church of the Brethren, 425 S Central Park Blvd, Chicago, IL
ADMISSION: This program is free and everyone is welcome!
Chicago Film Archives and Honey Pot Performance present a 16mm screening of Lord Thing (1969, DeWitt Beall).
The screening will be followed by conversation around the histories of the North Lawndale neighborhood, violence mitigation, and self-transformation through literature and the arts.
THE FILM
Beall’s achievement lies…in having the eye to see and the wit to use the power of the people themselves. This feature-length color film is built primarily of extended narrations offered by members of the Chicago group now calling itself the Conservative Vice Lords, Inc. Each member who speaks in the film demonstrates himself to be a human of perception, intelligence and commitment-an individual for whom any broad and general label would be insufficient. — William Routt, Film Quarterly 1970
LORD THING (1969, 55 min) narrates the early days of the Vice Lords, a street gang that formed in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood during the 1950s. It tells the story of how the Vice Lords survived and evolved over a politically and socially tumultuous decade — the 1960s — to eventually become and be known as the Conservative Vice Lords.
Though this film is a work of fiction, it might be mistaken for a straightforward documentary. The cinematography lends a sense of unpredictability and perpetual motion, but in truth, most scenes are highly constructed. They are well-choreographed, performed and narrated by members of the Conservative Vice Lords, expressing perceptive self-analysis, effective propaganda, and compelling theatrics.
Grounded in the circumstances of an impoverished inner-city neighborhood during a time of radical social and political expression, Lord Thing gives witness to a community of young adults who develop a growing sense of responsibility and a necessity to re-create their own legitimate place in the world in their own way. This process of self-realization (and the absence of it) is the arc that provides cohesiveness to this extraordinary film.
The film was photochemically preserved in 2012 by Chicago Film Archives with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
POST-SCREENING CONVERSATION
Confirmed conversation facilitators are:
Discussion Moderator
John Ziegler – DePaul University
John Zeigler Jr. is Senior Director of Programs, guiding the connections between the Chicago and Global teams of the Goldin Institute in addition to his role as Director of the Egan Office of Urban Education and Community Partnerships (UECP) and adjunct faculty at DePaul University. He received his bachelor of science at Roosevelt University and a Masters in Social Work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at University of Illinois in Chicago. John is a faculty member of the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute. John has worked internationally and believes in the power of building authentic community partnerships that provides a pathway for effective practices, promising ideas, addressing challenges and creating impact.
Kenneth “Spankey” Davis — ConTextos
Spankey Davis is a proud Southsider, community advocate, and system-impacted leader whose lived experience shapes his work. A lifelong knowledge seeker, he discovered the power of reflection, education, and relationships during his carceral experience, earning degrees in science and arts with a focus on trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning. Spankey now applies this framework to promote peace, healing, and accountability in Chicago communities, using restorative justice to build stronger relationships and empower young people. Grounded in the belief that every person deserves dignity and respect, he is dedicated to helping others overcome challenges and create meaningful change.
Benneth Lee – National Alliance for the Empowerment of the Formerly Incarcerated (NAEF)
Benny Lee, a former death row inmate, and National Ambassador for the Almighty Vice Lord Nation. is truly a success story. He is founder and CEO of the National Alliance for the Empowerment of the Formerly Incarcerated (NAEF) is sought-after as an international trainer and consultant, having presented throughout the United States, Israel, and West Africa. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding work, including the Professional of the Year award from the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA), a Project Safe Neighborhoods award from U.S. Department of Justice, and a national America Honors Recovery award from the Johnson Institute for his work in providing innovative services to gang affiliated individuals in the criminal justice system.
Mr. Lee received his associate’s degree in Mental Health and Substance Abuse at Kennedy King College (Chicago). He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Northeastern Illinois University, where he’s now an adjunct professor in the Justice Studies department. He’s a clinical certified trauma professional as well as a Kingian nonviolence Trainor.
As a community liaison and reentry specialist for the Illinois Department of Corrections, , Benny Lee prepares individuals to make successful transitions from incarceration and back into the community. He also works with communities to help them build their capacity to effectively receive individuals returning home following incarceration. His goal is to build a beloved community for the formerly incarcerated and convicted people by challenging the collateral consequences that serve as permanent punishments that deny them full citizenship.
Marilyn Pitchford – Breakthrough Ministries
Marilyn Pitchford is a community-focused leader dedicated to advancing public safety, equity, and opportunity across Chicago. As the Director of Violence Prevention at Breakthrough, she leads strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening community resilience, reducing violence, and supporting individuals and families in building brighter futures. Marilyn brings extensive experience in workforce development, violence prevention, and community engagement through her work with organizations such as Heartland Human Care Services, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, and Cure Violence. She previously served as Public Safety Chair for Austin Coming Together, where she collaborated with partners to address the root causes of violence and drive systemic change. In addition, she plays a key role in the Community-Driven Workforce Program (CDWP), working to expand access to training, career pathways, and economic opportunities that empower residents and foster stronger communities. Passionate about mentorship and the development of emerging leaders, Marilyn is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of advocates to thrive while advancing safer, more equitable communities on Chicago’s West Side.
Augie Torres – Integrity & Fidelity
Augie Torres is the Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Integrity & Fidelity, a Chicago-based Community Violence Intervention (CVI) organization. Under his leadership, the organization and its team have contributed to a 30% reduction in gun violence in Chicago. Augie holds a Master of Arts in Social Work, Policy, and Practice with a concentration in Administration from the University of Chicago. He has previously held key roles at organizations such as Heartland Alliance, Cure Violence Chicago, and Edovo. He currently serves on the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council (SPAC), which evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the state’s sentencing policies and practices. In this role, he provides insights that inform reports to the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Governor.