In celebration of Black History Month and our ongoing commitment to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization where everyone feels a sense of belonging, we are pleased to present “My Father’s Name.”
My Father's Name
Interactive Viewing Event: Group Conversation
Guided by Cynthia Vermillion Foster
February 17, 2026
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
“A GRIPPING and ESSENTIAL EXPLORATION of RACE, ACCOUNTABILITY, and the FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES of FAMILY SECRETS.”
— Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
A father’s secret. A daughter’s reckoning. A nation’s dark legacy.
Years after Lee Ed Frazier’s death, his daughter Jan made a shocking discovery: as a young man her father had participated in a lynching. Now, as she attempts to uncover the truth about what happened, Jan must reckon with deeply conflicted feelings about the father she loved, grapple with how to hold her family accountable, and face the dawning awareness of her own unconscious racism.
A Hair On Fire Films Production
Directed and Produced by Susanna Styron
In association with Foothill Productions
Jamie Wolf, Producer ~ Nathalie Seaver, Co-Producer ~ Director of Photography, Stephen McCarthy ~ Edited by Jasmine Cannon, Susanna Styron ~ Original Score by Sarah Goldstone & Lilah Larson ~ Animation and Graphics by Todd Ruff ~ Executive Producers Geralyn Dreyfous, Patricia Quillin, Constance Royster, Roderick Spencer ~ Consulting Producer, Marc Levin ~ Advisors Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Charlayne Hunter-Gault, David Dodson ~ Archival Producer, Rebecca Kent ~ Sound Design, Margaret Crimmins ~ Re-recording Mixer, Greg Smith
Colorist, Oliver Eid ~ Additional Archival Research, Sam Aleshinloye, Tirzah Brott ~ Executive Producers, Geralyn Dreyfous, Patricia Quillin, Constance Royster, Roderick Spencer ~ Consulting Producer, Marc LevinFinishing Editor/ Post Production ~ Supervisor, Eavvon O’Neal
Website/Trailer/Social https://myfathersname.com
Host: Constance “Connie” Royster
Constance Royster is an Executive Producer of this film. She is a consultant and advisor to nonprofits and individuals in education, arts and culture. A graduate of Yale University, Connie went on to Rutgers law school and a 25-year career in law, including as an associate at Paul Weiss and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the SDNY. In her second career, Connie was a fundraiser for the Yale Environment School and served as Director of Development at the Divinity School.
Jan Frazier, MY FATHER’S NAME Protagonist
Jan Frazier grew up in Miami in the 1960s. When in her thirties, she learned of her family’s participation in a 1937 lynching. Jan moved to New England in her twenties and currently lives in Vermont. She is the grateful mother of two grown children. The author of several books, she offers guidance to spiritual seekers.
In September 2025, I was blessed to host a showing of My Father’s Name at Unity Church of the Hills in Austin, TX. This brief film tells the story of Jan Frazier learning that her beloved father had been involved in a lynching, and her journey coming to terms with this shocking truth. This difficult journey is told with great sensitivity and courage.
After watching the film, we had an open discussion about this story and our own experiences with this painful topic. The film’s director, Susanna Styron joined us for this time of sharing. Our discussion was tender, deep, and transformative. We all left saying: “More people need to see this film. We need more conversations about stories such as these.”
I am so excited that one such conversation will be taking place through IMN. I hope you will choose to join us and be part of learning and healing with one another.
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Refund policy: Refunds are considered on a case to case basis.
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