A documentary film by Joy Roller
COMING SOON!
Stokes is an intimate portrait of Carl Stokes – a brilliant, ambitious son of Cleveland, who rose from poverty to shatter America’s political color line as the nation’s first Black mayor of a major city, only to see his hard-won progress pushed to the brink. Stokes’ historic election victory in November 1967 marks a pinnacle for the promise of Black political power nationwide. Yet his triumph proves fragile as years of segregation and police brutality lead to the deadliest day in Cleveland police history.
Trailer
Experience the journey of Carl Stokes, the man who changed the political landscape of America forever. Watch the official trailer for Stokes.
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Synopsis
A Legacy of Leadership
STOKES is a 90–100-minute documentary that chronicles Carl Stokes' extraordinary journey from poverty on Cleveland's segregated East Side to his groundbreaking election in 1967 as the first Black mayor of a major American city. Set against the turbulence of the civil rights movement, urban unrest, and the rise of Black political power, the film follows Stokes as he confronts the challenges of leading a deeply divided city during one of the most consequential periods in American history. Through his triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacy, STOKES reveals how his historic breakthrough transformed American politics, redefined the possibilities of Black leadership, and helped pave the way for generations of elected officials, culminating in the election of President Barack Obama.
The Key Figures
Carl Stokes
Carl B. Stokes was the first Black mayor of a major American city, serving Cleveland from 1967 to 1971, where he navigated tensions between Black nationalists and the white political establishment.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal Civil Rights leader, frequently visited Cleveland, aiding voter registration efforts for Stokes' election and engaging with Black nationalist leader Fred Ahmed Evans.
Fred Ahmed Evans
Fred Ahmed Evans was a Black nationalist leader and the head of the Republic of New Libya, a group advocating for Black empowerment in Cleveland during the 1960s. He is most remembered for his involvement in the 1968 Glenville Shootout, a violent confrontation that marked the bloodiest day in Cleveland police history.
Notable Interviews
Ambassador Andrew Young
Diplomat & Civil Rights Leader
Andrew Young accompanied Martin Luther King, Jr. to Cleveland while serving as a close aide to the civil rights leader. He went on to serve as a U. S. Congressman, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and Mayor of Atlanta
Juan Williams
Journalist & Author
Juan Williams is a journalist, political analyst and author of Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years 1954 -1965. Williams is known for his commentary on U.S. politics and civil rights, with a career spanning roles at The Washington Post, NPR and Fox News.
Tim Weiner
Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
Tim Weiner is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for his investigative reporting on national security and intelligence. He has authored five books including, Enemies: A History of the FBI and Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA.
Journey
The Timeline of Change
Feb 1965
The Loss of Malcolm X
Malcolm X is assassinated in New York City, a major blow to the Black liberation movement.
Nov 1965
Stokes’ Close Contention
Carl Stokes narrowly loses the Cleveland mayoral election, a defeat that only fuels his political ambition.
Jun 1966
A Convergence of Ideas
Fred Ahmed Evans meets Martin Luther King Jr. in Cleveland, bringing together two distinct philosophies for liberation.
Jul 1966
The Hough Uprising
The Hough uprising occurs in Cleveland, resulting in four African American deaths and approximately 240 arrests.
Apr 1967
King’s Mission to Cleveland
Martin Luther King Jr. visits Cleveland to support voter registration efforts and prevent further unrest.
Nov 1967
A Landmark Victory
Carl Stokes wins the Cleveland mayoral election, becoming the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city.
Apr 1968
Assassination of MLK Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, sparking grief and chaos across the nation.
Jul 1968
The Glenville Shootout
The Glenville Shootout occurs in Cleveland, led by Fred Ahmed Evans, resulting in the deaths of three police officers and three suspects.
1972
A New Chapter in Media
Carl Stokes becomes the first Black anchorman in New York City at WNBC-TV, expanding his influence into broadcast journalism.
Thematic Explorations
Political Struggle & Change
Carl Stokes' journey highlights the political challenges and achievements of Black Americans in the 1960s. His campaign and eventual election as the first Black mayor of a major American city symbolize a pivotal moment in the origins of the Black political movement.
Legacy & Contemporary Relevance
By opening the door to the Black political movement, Carl Stokes’ legacy is evident in the progress of African Americans across all walks of life. Through its historical narrative, the documentary highlights the struggles and achievements that shaped this progress, underscoring the enduring pursuit of justice and equality. It reflects the lasting influence of leaders such as Carl Stokes and Martin Luther King Jr., whose impact continues to shape the fight for social and political advancement.
Hope & Promise
The documentary underscores the hope and promise sparked by Carl Stokes’ election, presenting it as a moment charged with the possibility of meaningful change. Stokes’ leadership—and the optimism it inspired within the Black community—emerges as a pivotal turning point, symbolizing progress long sought and fiercely defended. Yet alongside this hope, the film confronts the sobering reality of unfulfilled promises. It examines how repeated disappointments eroded trust and fueled a cycle of disillusionment, ultimately revealing the enduring struggle for genuine equality and justice.
Police & FBI Harassment
A significant focus is placed on the police brutality and harassment endured by Black residents, portraying how these injustices contributed to the mounting tensions and eventual eruption of riots.
Rise of Black Nationalism
The rise of Black Nationalism is explored through the lens of key figures like Fred Ahmed Evans and Malcolm X. The documentary examines the movement’s push for self-determination, equality, and the formation of a distinct national identity.
Conflict
Stokes centers on the political and moral balancing act faced by Carl Stokes as he navigates a city divided by race and power. Elected mayor in 1967, Stokes achieved a historic breakthrough in a predominantly white city, but his victory placed him at the intersection of entrenched white political authority, rigid segregation, and the growing momentum of Black nationalism. The film’s central conflict asks whether Stokes could govern effectively—and keep the peace—amid the volatile social and political forces reshaping America at that moment.
Racial Inequality & Police Brutality
The film delves into the pervasive and systemic nature of racism in American society, as seen through the experience in Cleveland of Carl Stokes, Fred Ahmed Evans, and Martin Luther King Jr.. Police brutality, constant harassment and surveillance of the Black community is also a pertinent conflict throughout the film.
Glenville Shootout
The Glenville Shootout, a violent clash between Fred Ahmed Evans' Black Nationalist group and Cleveland police, serves as the film’s critical turning point and the city’s racial tensions. The event exposed deep divisions between the Black community and law enforcement, becoming a catalyst for broader conversations about race, systemic injustice, and leadership during a turbulent era.
Artistic Approach
This documentary will weave together rare archival footage, emotional firsthand interviews, striking visual montages of Cleveland in the 1960s, and stylized animation sequences to create a rich and immersive viewing experience. Through evocative thematic storytelling, we aim to transport audiences into the social, political, and cultural upheaval of the era while presenting historical events through a contemporary cinematic lens.
Rather than functioning as a traditional historical biography, the film will embrace a dynamic and emotionally driven narrative approach, connecting the struggles, triumphs, and tensions of the past to themes that remain deeply relevant today. Archival materials will be thoughtfully enhanced through modern visual techniques, layered sound design, and atmospheric music to create a sense of immediacy and emotional resonance.
The pacing of the film will be intelligent, engaging, and accessible, balancing moments of reflection with sequences of urgency and momentum. Visually, the documentary will blend the authenticity of historical record with creative storytelling devices, while the sound design will immerse audiences in the energy, hope, conflict, and transformation that defined Cleveland during the Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Carl Stokes. The result will be a cinematic documentary experience that honors history while captivating modern audiences.
Join Our Circle of Supporters
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Co-Production Partner: $50,000
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Executive Producer: $25,000 - all below
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Associate Producer: $10,000 - all below
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Assistant Producer: $5,000 - 4 tickets to Cleveland premiere, on-screen credit, film DVD
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Supporter: $2,500 - 2 tickets to Cleveland Premiere, on-screen credit
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Friend: $1,000 - 2 tickets to the Cleveland Premiere
Fuel our film with a mailed check, or online contribution
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For Your Donation, Support or Equity Investments:
Stokes’ Dilemma is an intimate portrait of Carl Stokes – a brilliant, ambitions son of Cleveland who rose from poverty to shatter America’s political color line as the nation’s first Black mayor of a major city, only to see his hard-won progress pushed to the brink at the height of the Civil Rights movement. Your tax-deductible donation supports the completion and distribution of the film, a documentary about leadership, race, power, and the price of progress.
HELP BRING STOKES TO THE SCREEN WITH A TAX DEDUTIBLE DONATION
Help make history visible.
Donate today.
For donors requiring an Ohio-based fiscal sponsor, you can send a tax-deductible donation via check (noting” STOKES “in the memo line) to:
Assembly for the Arts,
6539 Euclid Ave, Suite 110
Cleveland, OH 44103
Or for credit card payments go to:
Note that the fiscal sponsor deducts 6% with all check and online donations.
We have also partnered with the storied independent cinema, Film Forum, in New York City as an additional non-profit fiscal sponsor. Tax deductible donations can be sent to:
Chad Bolton, Managing Director
Film Forum | 209 W. Houston St. | New York, NY. 10014
for credit card payments go to:
using the Q-Z dropdown, find “Joy Roller/STOKE’S DILEMMA” to fill out the form.
Note that the fiscal sponsor deducts 5% with check donations and 8% for credit card payments.
For information on investor waterfall or how to make an on-line donation, please call Joy Roller, 216-262-4206 or email jrollertv@gmail.com.
In the Press
Troy Smith
Documentary revisits Carl Stokes' groundbreaking political legacy
Feb 23, 2026 - News
Perhaps the most definitive documentary yet detailing the impact of Cleveland political trailblazer Carl Stokes could hit screens later this year.
Why it matters: Stokes became the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city when he was elected mayor of Cleveland in 1967.
Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes in 1968. Photo: Courtesy of Corbis Historical via Getty Images
Creators:
Joy Roller
Director/Producer
Joy Roller has 20 years of television production experience. Prior to returning to Cleveland to earn a law degree, Joy produced, wrote and directed television programs for national syndication and cable networks. Her credits have appeared on HGTV, VH1, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime and PBS. She holds a B.A. from Denison University, a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland University College of Law.
Kai Lendzion
Co-Director/ Director of Photography
Kai Lendzion is a versatile filmmaker and photographer with 10+ years of experience in directing, cinematography, and editing. He has worked with top brands like HBO and Collins Aerospace, creating award-winning commercial and social justice films. His work blends technical skill with artistic vision, earning multiple Telly Awards and recognition in both commercial and impact-driven projects.
Anne Goetz
Editor
Anne Goetz is an award-winning videо editor with 20+ years in TV production, documentaries, and museum presentations. She has worked with top organizations like Smithsonian Channel and National Geographic, earning Emmy honors and multiple Cine Golden Eagle Awards for her work on historical, cultural, and environmental films.
Nathan Antila
Scriptwriter
Nathan has thirty-six years experience writing and producing documentary and educational films for television and theatrical release, on-site exhibit programming for museums and science centers and instructional media for government agencies and corporate clients. Credits include programs for The Smithsonian Channel, Voice of America, all Discovery Channels, the National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Wild, A&E, The History Channel, The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Museum of American Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Mob Museum (Las Vegas) and the Peabody Museum at Yale University.
Mark Andrew Hamer
Co-Director/Editor
Mark Andrew Hamer is a four-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Crash Cat Media Group. As a director, editor, and producer, his work spans both documentary and narrative filmmaking, with a focus on character-driven stories that explore history, resilience, and the human experience. His films combine cinematic visuals with thoughtful storytelling, bringing overlooked voices and significant moments to life. On the Carl Stokes documentary, Hamer serves as co-director and editor, helping shape the story of one of America's most influential political trailblazers.
Richard Maurer
Sound Design/Post-Audio
Richard Maurer is an award-winning sound designer, producer, and co-founder of Crash Cat Media Group. With a passion for crafting immersive sonic experiences, he has helped shape numerous documentary and narrative films through sound design, dialogue editing, mixing, and post-production supervision. His work is driven by the belief that sound is a powerful storytelling tool, capable of deepening emotion and bringing audiences closer to the story. On the Carl Stokes documentary, Maurer serves as sound designer, creating an authentic and engaging audio landscape that supports the film's powerful historical narrative.