AARP Eye Center
CHARLOTTE – AARP Charlotte, Brother Strong, Gdavis Productions and Films, and The Park
Church proudly present a special screening of the documentary “Man Behind the Counter” on Friday, June 13th at 7:00 PM at The Park Church, 6029 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC.
AARP is also co-hosting a performance of "Father Figure," on Saturday, June 14 at 2:00 pm. "Father Figure" is a powerful, emotionally gripping stage play by award-winning playwright Garrett Davis that explores the complex and often painful realities of fatherhood in the African American community.
The powerful film and play are part of a weekend of events honoring Black fatherhood.
“Man Behind the Counter” tells the deeply personal and poignant story of Charles Bess, who was working as a bus boy at Woolworth’s in Greensboro when four young students came in and took a seat at a segregated lunch counter that became one of the focal point of the Civil Rights Movement.
More than a documentary, "Man Behind the Counter" is a tribute to the unsung heroes—fathers, mentors, and everyday men—who stood tall and unshakable during times of injustice and change.
These free public events are not just for film or theater lovers, but for all who carry a love for our history, our elders, and the resilience of Black families. It will include a live Q&A with filmmaker and playwrite Garrett Davis and special community guests, providing a space to reflect, uplift, and recommit to the values that carried a movement—and continue to shape our future.
The film screening and stage performance are part of a Father’s Day Weekend of events sponsored by AARP Charlotte, Brother Strong, Gdavis Productions and Films, and The Park Church, honoring Black men who have impacted their families and communities through strength, sacrifice, and service.
EVENT DETAILS:
Man Behind the Counter Film Screening
When: Friday, June 13, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Where: The Park Church | 6029 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: FREE and Open to the Public
REGISTER
Father Figure Play Performance
When: Saturday, June 14, 2025/2:00 pm
Where: The Park Church
6029 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Cost: FREE and Open to the Public
REGISTER
Who Should Attend: Families, educators, faith leaders, activists, caregivers, and all who honor the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and the enduring power of Black fatherhood.
Come celebrate the men who shaped our communities—behind the counters, in the pulpits, on the front lines, and in the barber chairs. Their stories matter. Their voices echo and their legacies live on.
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