WKU News

Western Kentucky University’s Jonesville Reconciliation Workgroup will host a screening of “Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall” on Thursday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. at the Jody Richards Hall Auditorium on WKU’s campus. In addition to the documentary film screening, the evening will include a Q&A with producers and a reception. Jonesville descendants and their families are honored guests at this event.

Directed by WKU Public Media’s Joshua Niedwick,”Jonesville: When Sunflowers Fall” tells the story of Jonesville through the lens of the descendants’ families and historians.

The WKU PBS synopsis states: Jonesville was once a vibrant African American community in Bowling Green, Kentucky, until it was labeled as “blight,” seized, and dismantled in the 1960s to make way for the expansion of Western Kentucky University. This documentary film provides a powerful counter-narrative, challenging the misconception that Jonesville was a deteriorating neighborhood. Instead, through the voices of Jonesville residents and descendants, it reinforces the community identity and legacy while shedding light on the community’s resistance to systemic racial injustices that undervalued, seized, and ultimately destroyed their homes.

This documentary is sponsored by WKU PBS, Kentucky Museum and the Kentucky Folklife Program.

The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the screening will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Afterward, the Q&A and reception will provide attendees with the opportunity to connect with filmmakers, community members and other distinguished guests.

Event Details:
Location: Jody Richards Hall Auditorium, WKU
Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: Arrivals Begin at 5:30 p.m. | Screening at 6:00 p.m. | Reception to follow
Admission: Free and open to the public

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Peggy Crowe
Director, Counseling Center & Student Accessibility Resource Center

Chair, WKU Jonesville Reconciliation Workgroup

Western Kentucky University

Peggy.crowe@wku.edu

Phone: (270) 745-2701