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Part III “The Price of Silence: The Search for Freedom in New Jersey

Thanks to the wonderful support from private donors, the first two episodes were such a success that New Jersey's "Teacher of the Year" Theresa Maughn presented them to the NJEA at the 2022 Teacher's Convention in Atlantic City. They are also in such demand that so far, they have been shown at multiple locations around the state including, Hopewell Valley School District, Scotch Plains - Fanwood Public Schools, a sold-out screening at the Garden Theater in Princeton, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, Rutgers University and 2 events at the Somerset Community Health Org.

Nationally, "The Price of Silence," Parts I and II were distributed by the National Educational Telecommunications Association and aired in 22 markets in 11 states. Audiences in the following top-30 markets had access to the programs: New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Orlando, and Indianapolis. In addition, statewide coverage was available in West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Idaho. Cumulatively, there have been over 50,000 views nationwide.

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Total Grants Awarded: $50,000

Fundraising Status

Updated February 14, 2024

Truehart Productions is grateful for the support via donations and state level grants. As you can see we have a long journey ahead to make this documentary a reality and appreciate your help!

Total Donations Received: $50,000

Total Public Television Funding Received: $160,000

June 23, 2021 | $15,000 Grant by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

June 22, 2022 | $20,000 Grant by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

June 23, 2023 | $15,000 Grant by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Documentary Milestones

April 2019 – Director Andrew Schmertz hired as the film's Director

September 2019 – Truehart Productions organizational meeting in Pennington, NJ (see photo)

October 2019 – First board of trustees meeting

November 2019 – Registered with the NJ Division of Revenue as a non-profit corporation

January 2020 – Ridgeley Hutchinson appointed to the NJ PBS Community Advisory Board

January 2020 – Internal Revenue Service designates Truehart Productions as a 501c3 non-profit organization

February 2020 – NJ PBS Letter from General Manager John Servideo of PBS’s interest in the documentary

May 2020 – Facebook page developed

May 2020 – Private donor fundraising begins

September 2020 – GoFundMe fundraising page established

December 2020 - $12,000 raised

December 2020 – Production of the trailer begins

March 2021 – Emmy Award winner Bill Jersey agrees to be a consultant

March 2021 - Charles Yedlin offers a $1,500 matching grant which generated another $1,500 in contributions for a total of $3,000 in donations.

April 2021 – Production of the trailer completed and released on YouTube

May 2021 – Private donor John McDonald contributes $5,000

June 2021 – NJ Council for the Humanities awards Truehart Productions a grant for $15,000

September 2021 – www.truehartproductions.org website launched

February 2022 – Signed agreement with NJ PBS to co-produce Part 1 “The Price of Silence, The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People

March 2022 – Private donors, Margret S. Griffin and Scott G. Sillars donate $10,000

March 2022 – Shooting begins for Part 1, on location at the Old School Baptist Church

May 2022 – Signed agreement with NJ PBS to co-produce Part 2 “The Price of Silence, The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey”

June 2022 – Part 1 is aired at 8:00 pm NJ PBS

June 2022 – NJ Council for the Humanities awards Truehart Productions a grant for $20,000

July 2022 – Shooting begins for Part 2, on location at the East Brunswick Public Library

August 2022 – The Price of Silence, Parts 1 and 2 are aired in succession at 8:00 and 8:30 pm on NJ PBS

June 2023 – The New Jersey Council for the Humanities awards Truehart Productions a grant for $15,000 to produce the trailer for Part III “The Search for Freedom in New Jersey”

March 2024 – Trailer for "The Price of Silence, The Search for Freedom New Jersey" released

June 2024 – The New Jersey Council for the Humanities awards Truehart Productions a grant for $15,000 to produce Part III “The Search for Freedom in New Jersey”