Michael Tubbs | True Son: A Documentary | Talks at Google | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Former BOLD intern, Michael Tubbs, shares his journey from intern to City Council member in Stockton, California, and his efforts to make a positive impact on the community.

Key Insights

• 👯 Building a coalition of people in the community is important for effecting change, as shown by Tubbs' campaign manager and mother becoming influential figures in the film.
• 🗯️ Tubbs credits the civil rights movement and his experiences as an intern at Google for teaching him valuable skills in coalition-building and civic responsibility.
• 😀 Technology, such as building apps and helping with websites, can play a crucial role in political campaigns, allowing for more efficient and effective processes.
• 🤕 Tubbs' focus on recidivism, violence prevention, and issues specific to his district has led to tangible outcomes, such as pilot programs and banning the box legislation.
• 🚱 Tubbs' engagement with youth is primarily through his internship program and non-traditional events focused on youth empowerment and leadership training.
• 🤗 Tubbs is open to flexibility in his future career, considering options like philanthropy, opening a school, or becoming a superintendent.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Michael Tubbs decide to feature his campaign in a documentary?

Tubbs was inspired by his former Stanford classmates, Jhanvi and Ketaki Shriram, who approached him with the idea while they were all in college.

Q: What were some of the challenges Tubbs faced during his campaign?

Tubbs faced opposition from his campaign manager and his mother, who initially disapproved of the documentary. However, their perspectives became important aspects of the film.

Q: How did director Kevin Gordon get involved in the project?

Gordon knew Jhanvi and Ketaki from film school at Stanford, and they reached out to him about working on the documentary. Gordon was interested in reconnecting with social justice work through the project.

Q: What is Tubbs' plan for distributing the film?

Tubbs and the filmmakers plan to show the film at film festivals, special screenings, schools, and nonprofit organizations. They are also seeking distribution deals to make the film available in theaters or on streaming platforms.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Tubbs was inspired to feature his campaign for City Council in a documentary by former Stanford classmates, Jhanvi and Ketaki Shriram.

• Tubbs faced opposition from his campaign manager and his mother, who eventually became important figures in the film.

• Director Kevin Gordon's first feature-length documentary showcases Tubbs' struggle and transformation during his campaign.