Illinois House Honors Mound Bayou Documentary as Black History Month Screening Tour Set for 2026 (Springfield, IL) – Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and the Illinois General Assembly made history in 2025 with the unanimous passage of House Resolution 432, recognizing both the historic significance of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, and the documentary series Mound Bayou: The Most Remarkable Town in the South.
Supporters of the resolution say it marks the first time an Illinois House speaker has led a resolution honoring a documentary screening focused on African American history and civil rights.
The documentary chronicles the story of Mound Bayou, a town founded in 1887 by formerly enslaved cousins Isaiah T. Montgomery and Benjamin T. Green. Established as an independent Black community in the Mississippi Delta, Mound Bayou became known for its economic self-sufficiency, thriving agricultural industry and Black-led institutions during an era of widespread segregation throughout the South.
The title of the documentary comes from a remark attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt, who reportedly described Mound Bayou as “the most remarkable town in the South” after visiting the community during a 1908 campaign stop.
Organizers have announced a three-city Black History Month screening tour for 2026. The tour will begin Feb. 6 at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, followed by a Feb. 20 screening at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. The final event is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago.
Rev. Dr. Wallace “Gator” Bradley, co-chair of the Chicago host committee, confirmed the screening schedule alongside the documentary’s producers.
Creator and executive producer Kahari “The BooRay! King” Nash said the selected cities were chosen because of their historical and cultural significance.
“Memphis, Atlanta and Chicago are the chosen cities for the preview tour,” Nash said, noting that Chicago will serve as the finale of the tour.
The documentary explores numerous figures connected to Mound Bayou’s history, including civil rights leader Dr. T.R.M. Howard, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Ambassador Andrew Young and others who helped shape the community’s legacy.
Nash said his personal family history inspired the project. Among the stories featured is that of his great-uncle, Ezell Anderson, a mortician who played a role in protecting civil rights advocates during the aftermath of the 1955 murder of Emmett Till.
The documentary also highlights Taborian Hospital, founded in Mound Bayou in 1942. The facility became one of the nation’s first Black-staffed hospitals and served African American residents throughout the Mississippi Delta during segregation.
Among those featured in the series is Rosie Lee Ross, one of Mound Bayou’s oldest residents. Ross, now 105 years old, recounts firsthand memories of pivotal moments in the town’s history and the broader civil rights movement.
Nash said producers are planning to pursue distribution opportunities with major streaming platforms following the screening tour.
The project has also drawn support from entertainment industry figures, including Radar Pictures CEO Ted Field and longtime television producer Sir Tony Brown, who serve as co-executive producers.
Organizers say the documentary aims to preserve the history of Mound Bayou while introducing new audiences to a community that played a significant role in African American economic development, healthcare and civil rights history.
Illinois House Honors Mound Bayou Documentary as Black History Month Screening Tour Set for 2026
