A New Kind of Wilderness: Discussion Guide

Using This Guide

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Using This Guide

Film Summary

Credits & Acknowledgments

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This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and is designed for people who want to use A New Kind of Wilderness to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. Be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit https://communitynetwork.amdoc.org/.

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About the authors

Maya Washington

Maya works with filmmakers, poets, authors, speakers, nonprofits, and corporate leaders to develop and present award-winning programming throughout the United States and beyond. She is a member of the Global Impact Producers Alliance (GIPA) and brings films, books, and art experiences to audiences worldwide. She holds a BA in Dramatic Arts from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. Maya Washington is also an award-winning narrative and documentary filmmaker, actress, author, and visual artist. Her feature documentary, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar, about her father, Vikings football Legend Gene Washington, aired on Big Ten Network and is currently available on PBS platforms, including PBS Documentaries Channel through Amazon Prime. Her companion memoir, Through the Banks of the Red Cedar: My Father and the Team that Changed the Game, is an Amazon Editor's Pick for Best History. Maya directed episodes of the Fox series “The Killer Next Door” and History Channel’s “I Was There,” for Committee Films, and episodes for the PBS Kids series Black SciGirls. Washington is an adjunct professor in the Creative Writing Programs at Hamline University. As a speaker, Maya recently shared her work at the Black Sports Business Symposium, SXSW, and New Media Ventures Conference.