Follow Chester! Exploring Microaggressions, Civility, and Allies in Children’s Books
Award-Winning Documentarian, Producer, Director & Children’s Author
BUTTER PECAN PRODUCTIONS presents:
LIMITLESS
The Dr. Chester Pierce Story
Experience the extraordinary real-life story of Dr. Chester Pierce in an inspiring documentary based on the award-winning children’s book Follow Chester!. Witness an incredible tale of overcoming racism as this innovator of color leaves his mark on the world. A must-see for anyone in search of inspiration and resilience.
News & Media
African-American Interest Young Readers’ Titles, 2019–2020 read more
Public Heath Post Gloria Respress-Churchwell PHP Fellow Jori Fortson profiles
https://youtu.be/YybX2etAim4?si=RrG3oDQ-VdTWnVVK Robert Churchwell Foundation
Students “Follow Chester” to learn lessons from visiting author A
Episode 8: When you made your book, did you ever
Following Chester Children’s book author Gloria Churchwell shared the story
‘An Important Message to Share with Children’. In 1947, Chester “Chet”
Children’s Book Signing to Go Down in History at NPT
https://youtu.be/Y6Z70tBUcG4?si=66RX-CMh0v-yrEBH NASHVILLE, Oct 6, 2015 – An event celebrating pioneering
https://youtu.be/Ehj41I3-fmk?si=7Lh6jneo1HaBSwFg An Excerpt from Audio Book, Robert Churchwell Writing News,
Football to Recognize Legacy of Dr. Chester Pierce ’48, MD
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR & AUTHOR
Gloria Respress-Churchwell M.A., M.F.A
Gloria Respress-Churchwell has a passion for sharing nonfiction stories with children, especially those about unsung heroes. Having received an M.A. and M.F.A. from Simmons University in Children’s Literature and Writing for Children as a Lee & Low and Friends Scholar, Respress-Churchwell’s recent picture book Follow Chester! (Charlesbridge Publishing) spotlights the man, Dr. Chester Pierce, who when faced with challenges that included racism, he turned his adversity into positives that helped initiate societal change.
CHILDREN'S BOOKs
FOLLOW CHESTER!A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History
Chester Pierce broke racial barriers when, in 1947, he joined his Harvard football team to play against the University of Virginia. At that time, Black people were not allowed to sit at lunch counters, they had to use separate entrances, and they weren’t allowed to play college football against white players.
Robert Churchwell: Writing News, Making History:A Savannah Green Story
Savannah dislikes being new to Nashville. She feels like her life is a spiraling mess! Needless to say, Savannah is angry. She’s upset at the unexpected loss of her dad, bitter that she had to leave her old school, and feels empty without her friends.
"Gloria's talk today really struck me...just Gloria's way of teaching you life lessons through storytelling.'
Dr. Lau
CEO
"This talk was a true piece of storytelling in Portugal about Dr. Pierce... I'm very looking forward to seeing the documentary. I think there's a real talent there for taking something that's biographical and turning it into something that's really valuable that we can improve the lives of those around us and society."
Stewart V
"We're honored that Gloria is taking this book and creating a documentary about
Dr. Pierce-a first for us at Charlesbridge!
Dr. Pierce-a first for us at Charlesbridge!
Brent Farmer, Jr.
President, Charlesbridge
