director, “America to Me”
Steve James was born in Hampton, Virginia, USA. He is a director and producer, known for Hoop Dreams (1994), Stevie (2002), The Interrupters (2011), and America to ME (2018).
PROFILE
Steve James
Guest
FROM Steve James
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Despite the best intentions, suburban Chicago high school can’t bridge racial divides The series “America to Me” puts viewers inside a public school in suburban Chicago for a year. Oak Park and River Forest High School is progressive, integrated, and has programs to fight racial disparities. But students of different races still find themselves on different tracks.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How one Chinatown bank was 'small enough to jail' In the wake of the mortgage crisis and great recession, the government bailed out big banks, but one small bank was not so lucky. Abacus Federal Savings Bank was the only bank to face criminal charges. Run by a family in New York’s Chinatown, it served low-income immigrant communities. A new documentary tells the story: “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail.” It opens in LA on June 9 at the Landmark NuArt Theater. Vera Sung, Jill Sung and Thomas Sung ran Abacus Federal Savings Bank in New York's Chinatown. They caught financial fraud being committed at their bank, reported it, and fired those involved. Then Abacus became the only bank to face criminal charges in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Sean Lyness)
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What will it take to end the LAUSD teachers strike? After three days of striking, pressure has increased on both sides to settle the LAUSD teachers strike. The district and the teachers have lost millions of dollars. We speak with teachers union president Alex Caputo-Pearl and school board member Nick Melvoin.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Rethinking public school funding in California LAUSD teachers are striking for the second day. Many people are questioning the state’s model for funding schools. California spends around $10,800 per pupil, which is less than the national average. But maybe that money could be better spent if the district itself were smaller and more manageable.
LA Observed
As teachers strike, political heavyweights bide their time The L.A. teachers' strike is now well underway and both sides are waiting to see who will budge. Others are looking to their elected leaders, from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti to newly minted Governor Gavin Newsom, for help. But can they make a difference, especially with an issue that has so much at stake?