In April of 2018, the first Rhode Island Black Film Festival debuted. One of the featured films was created by URI professor Dr. Kendall Moore. Her short film “Jalen and Joanna”, focused on the impact of led poisoning from their experience of a mother and her son.

Dr. Joanna Ravello, whom the story focused on is alumna and former assistant director of the Talent Development Program. She is now the director of community and organizational development at URI. For more on the film and Joanna’s story, please click here.