Noted German Documentarian Shares Experiences With Morgan SGJC Students

John A. Kantara, a documentarian and professor of journalism at the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin, visited Morgan’s School of Global Journalism and Communication (SGJC) recently to discuss the connections between Afro-Germans and African Americans and the need for an international perspective to become globally competitive.

During his visit to Morgan’s campus, which took place during the week of Feb. 19-23, Kantara spoke with students in the Multimedia Journalism, Multiplatform Production and Strategic Communications departments about his filmmaking process. He has produced more than 140 documentaries, covering a range of topics from science and technology to fundamental human rights.

Kantara also spent a day in Washington, DC, where he toured the National African-American Museum of History and Culture and participated on a panel on Capitol Hill before screening his film, “And We Were Germans,” at a forum sponsored by the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe. The documentary focuses on Afro-German Hans Massaquoi who survived Nazi Germany and eventually ended up in the U.S. where he eventually became managing editor of Ebony magazine.

Kantara also appeared on WEAA 88.9 FM’s “Today with Dr. Kaye,” and “For the Culture,” with Farajii Muhammad, and met with several classes to discuss research and technology and techniques. He also encouraged students to take advantage of travel opportunities to see the world.

Write-up submitted by Samuel Robinson (senior, majoring in Multimedia Journalism)