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Logline

Before Rosa Parks sat down, Bobby Grier stood up—A Quiet Storm™ is the untold true story of a young Black athlete who broke racial barriers on the national stage, risking everything to change the game and history forever.

Synopsis

In 1956, against the backdrop of a deeply segregated America, a quiet young man from Pittsburgh stepped into the center of a national firestorm—and forever changed the course of college football and civil rights history.

A Quiet Storm™ tells the untold story of Bobby Grier, the first Black athlete to break the color barrier in the Sugar Bowl. When his team, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, was set to face Georgia Tech in New Orleans, segregationist politicians in the South—including Georgia’s governor—moved swiftly to block the game. But across the country, protestors pushed back—burning the governor in effigy and storming the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the State Capitol in a dramatic uprising that shook the political establishment.

Through it all, Bobby Grier remained composed, letting his silent strength speak louder than hatred. When he took the field, he wasn’t just playing football—he was challenging the very structure of injustice.

A Quiet Storm™ is more than a documentary—it’s a living movement. Told through emotional interviews, rare archival footage, and a visionary partnership with The Grier Estate™, the film reclaims a defining American moment while paving a new model for NIL empowerment, family legacy, and digital equity. This is a story of transformation—where one quiet act of courage ignited a national reckoning, and where history meets the future on the field of play.

In a world still wrestling with division, A Quiet Storm™ reminds us that one person, one moment, and one choice can rewrite the story for generations to come.
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Lynne Robinson — Co-Producer
Lynne Robinson is an award-winning executive producer and CEO of Black Robin Media, known for shaping powerful, culturally resonant stories across film, television, and museum experiences. Her work bridges African American history, sports, and public affairs—earning multiple NAACP Image Awards and executive-producing acclaimed projects for Smithsonian Channel, TV One, Audible, AspireTV, and Maryland Public Television.

Most recently, she served as Executive Producer for Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise, a moving PBS special celebrating the legacy of America’s leading cultural institutions. Lynne’s film and exhibition work is featured at the National Civil Rights Museum, the Muhammad Ali Center, and Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, where she produced over 15 permanent gallery films.

Robinson is currently producing Unearthing the Past: Chattel Slavery in Maryland, and the Smithsonian’s forthcoming Afrofuturism exhibition, continuing her commitment to elevating untold stories with cinematic power and historical accuracy.

With a gift for fusing storytelling with purpose, Lynne Robinson brings truth, legacy, and transformation to every frame—creating timeless cultural impact for audiences around the world.

Osahon Tongo — Co-Producer
Osahon Tongo is a transformational coach, poet, and former Georgia Tech and NFL athlete who now leads individuals and organizations to unlock peak purpose, power, and performance. A dynamic presence on and off the field, Osahon blends high-performance coaching, poetic storytelling, and spiritual insight to help others transform pain into power and purpose.

After a successful football career at Georgia Tech and in the NFL, Osahon turned inward—channeling his experiences through the lens of healing, leadership, and personal growth. He’s the founder of The Poet Coach, a platform dedicated to guiding athletes, creatives, and visionaries to reimagine success, rewire limiting beliefs, and step fully into their calling.

Osahon has coached corporate leaders, student-athletes, artists, and changemakers, integrating mindfulness, identity work, and performance strategy. His signature programs and poetic performances leave audiences inspired and activated—from locker rooms to boardrooms.

Through powerful words and deep presence, Osahon invites others to own their truth, harness their inner wisdom, and live a life aligned with divine purpose. Whether on stage or in one-on-one coaching, Osahon Tongo delivers transformational impact with soul, strength, and authenticity.

Brandon Miree — Co-Producer
Brandon Miree is a former NFL fullback turned transformational leader, speaker, and advocate for personal growth and purpose-driven living. After playing for the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers, Brandon transitioned from the gridiron to guiding others in mastering their inner game—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Rooted in resilience and fueled by faith, Brandon is passionate about helping individuals and teams discover their true identity beyond performance. With a degree from the University of Pittsburgh and life experiences at the highest level of sport, he brings a unique perspective on navigating pressure, expectation, and transition.

Today, Brandon empowers athletes, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to lead with authenticity and live with intention—making him not just a game-changer, but a life-changer.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.