About The Backbone
In The Backbone, filmmakers and University of South Carolina alumni Hannah White (creator), Kendric Lindsey (producer/editor), and Lyric Swinton (production & distribution manager) developed a new feature-length documentary that highlights and celebrates the contributions of Black women to the University of South Carolina and their struggles to achieve excellence amidstracial inequities.
Made entirely during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckonings of 2020, the documentary uses historical footage, modern day incidences, and interviews to both bring into light and combat the intentional historical erasure of the achievements of these women.
The Backbone Accolades & Honors
Since its spring 2022 debut, The Backbone documentary has been shown in several venues across Columbia, South Carolina, including The Luminal Theater & the Historic Booker T. Washington Auditorium as well as internationally at the London School of Economics & Political Science in London, England.
The documentary has been accepted as Official Selections in two international film festivals, including:
Also, The Backbone was showcased at the 20th annual Women’s Leadership Institute at the University of South Carolina.
In February 2023, 18 bricks were on the Historic Horseshoe were formally dedicated to honor alumnae featured in the documentary.