In this special episode, in partnership with the nonprofit BYkids, award-winning documentary filmmaker and teen Daunnette Moniz-Reyome shares the story behind a single frame of AGAINST THE CURRENT that shows her in conversation minutes before her long-awaited feathering ceremony. 

The BYkids' film, which debuts on PBS in April 2021, was named Best Documentary Student Short at the 2020 Woodstock Film Festival awards.

Jury Statement: “We are thrilled to present the award for Best Documentary Student Short film to AGAINST THE CURRENT. The film is a beautiful celebration of Native American ritual, culture and humanity. This is a film both about reflecting on one’s self and the community as a whole. Expertly crafted by Daunnette Moniz-Reyome who at only 17 years old directed and narrated the documentary along with also being the cinematographer. Daunnette has a long career ahead of her and we can’t wait to see what she makes next!”

Daunnette also won the Emerging Filmmakers Award at the Socially Relevant Film Festival.

Noel Alden values justice, equality, family and hard work. The lawyer and dairy farmer serves as legal counsel for area townships, villages and property owners’ associations and as a high-school mock trial coach and a member of several local non-profit boards. A lifelong conservative, he’s been vocal this year about his disdain for the current presidential administration – as well as his support for social justice movements like Black Lives Matter. It’s cost him friendships and clients. He says none of that matters. His Ohio Values photo features him and his youngest son, Russell, wrestling a cow back to his Danville farm, a moment of chaos and connection, just after sunrise.

Interview and story by Grant Pepper of Knox Pages.

Mark Gorsuch values faith, equity and prayer. He is black, gay and unafraid to be himself in his uniquely religious community in Ashland County, a place where public meetings begin with prayer and churches collaborate regularly with other local organizations. Gorsuch regularly participates in protests against racism at gatherings held daily in downtown Ashland since early June and wades into the comments' sections to ask questions of those who disagree with him. A devout Roman Catholic, he firmly believes his religion advises him to fight for the marginalized and oppressed. He attends Mass regularly and intentionally visits churches when he travels. In his picture for Ohio Values, he is praying at St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, Canada's largest church, in Montreal.

Interview and story by Tracy Leturgey of Ashland Source.

Aurelio Diaz values diversity, creativity and connection. Whether that is connecting over being silly with his niece or connecting over conversations with community members while going door to door when he ran for Mansfield City Council. While he wasn't elected, Diaz says the campaign clarified how much he values diversity, not only in ways you can see--like race and ethnicity--but also in background and thinking. He says the photo in which he stands next to his niece that he describes in his Ohio Values' episode reflects his journey to understanding, acceptance and leadership alongside his love of family and life.

Interview and story by Brittany Schock, Solutions Editor for Richland Source.

Iris Roley values racial justice. It has been a guiding force of her life, from growing up with Civil Rights’ legends in Cincinnati to stepping up to fight systemic racism and advocate for police accountability and reform. Perhaps best known for her leadership work around the city’s Collaborative Agreement with the police department, Roley continues to show up, and speak up, wherever she sees racist policies and practices. In the photo she chose to describe, she appears as an iconic silhouette, her right fist raised to the sky as she speaks in front of a mostly white crowd of more than 10,000 people. It’s Jan 21, 2017, at Cincinnati’s first Women’s March.

Interview and story by Elissa Yancey.

Daniel Mainzer values the simple power of human connection. As a photographer in Akron, he built his career around gaining his subjects' trust and focusing on their humanity. The photo he chose for Ohio Values is one he took early in his career, and it features an unlikely duo sharing more than a stoop. In it, Mainzer sees the potential for transcending stereotypes. As the son of German immigrants, he also values the power of the education he received, and laments that the same opportunities aren't afforded to all. Through his lens, he works to capture the shared goodness he believes can connect and sustain us all, even during tumultuous times.

Story by Josy Jones of The Devil Strip in Akron.

Ask Shelby Councilman Nathan Martin what he values most and his answer is swift and definitive: God, family and country. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see the layers of those three core values reflected in the photo he selected for Ohio Values—in the covered and uncovered faces of his children. Whether you agree with him or not, whether you vote for him or not, Martin sees open conversation as an essential element in democracy--whether you’re talking about race or abortion.

Story by Brittany Schock, Solutions Editor at Richland Source.

Jennifer Pollock was homeless during the summer of 2018 and for many months after that – a circumstance she never imagined for herself back when she worked as a paramedic. An injury on the job led to treatment with pain medication that spiraled into addiction. After her disability pay ran out, Pollock and her husband moved to a less expensive place before they ended up living in tents along Third Street in downtown Cincinnati. The photo she chose to describe for this audio story was taken during that time, a period that Pollock says opened her eyes and changed the way she thinks when she votes. Pollock’s friends call her “Sunshine.” This is her story.

Story by Lucy May of WCPO.com