“Leveling Lincoln,” Chronicling Desegregation in New Rochelle Schools

NEW ROCHELLE – In recognition of Juneteenth, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle will host a screening of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning documentary Leveling Lincoln, chronicling desegration in New Rochelle schools and directed by Arden Teresa Lewis. The screening will take place on Friday, June 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Remington Clubhouse. Admission is free.

The event will feature two screenings: one earlier in the day for Club youth members and a community-wide screening in the evening. Several members of the New Rochelle High School Class of 1977, members of the integrated kindergarten classes bused from Lincoln Elementary School, are expected to attend the evening screening, offering first-hand perspective and historical context.

“The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to present this documentary, which chronicles an important era in the history of New Rochelle and our nation,” said CEO Becky Mazzanobile. “We invite all to join us and participate in discussion with those who lives were directly affected, and to hear their first-hand recollections and perspectives.”

Leveling Lincoln documents the United States Supreme Court-ordered desegregation of New Rochelle’s school system in the early 1960s. The film centers around the closure of Lincoln Elementary School, which was declared racially segregated by design, making New Rochelle one of the first northern cities to face such a legal ruling. Through archival footage and interviews with former students, educators and community leaders, the film highlights how local events became part of the broader civil rights movement.

This screening is part of the Boys &Girls Club of New Rochelle’s ongoing efforts to engage youth and the wider community in civic education and cultural reflection. Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. By presenting this documentary, the Club aims to encourage thoughtful dialogue about equity, history and the ongoing work of building inclusive communities.

The Remington Clubhouse is at 1 Remington Place, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801. Light refreshments will be served. More information about the documentary can be found at www.levelinglincoln.com.

For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.

Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.