“Stepping Into the Shade” Documentary Series Premiere

The much-anticipated documentary series, Stepping Into the Shade, will premiere in the Westport Library’s Trefz Forum. Hosted by the acclaimed journalist Leslie Mayes, the evening will include an exclusive glimpse into the series’ most compelling scenes, followed by an enriching panel discussion and live Q&A session.

Stepping Into the Shade is a love story about the people who toiled in the soil on the Connecticut tobacco farms. This documentary series will explore the history of Connecticut tobacco farming and the various stories of people from as far as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Poland, as well as HBCU’s who worked on the farms and how the tobacco industry influenced diversity, culture and the Civil Rights movement in Connecticut. The series is directed and produced by Brian Day and Kristen Morgan from Eastern Connecticut State University and hosted and produced by TV Personality June Archer.