Rachael DeCruz’s work centers on how familial and community bonds fortify people to push back against racist systems. DeCruz’s first film, The Panola Project, was an official selection of over 35 festivals, including Sundance, Hot Docs, and the DOC NYC Shortlist. The short film illuminates how an often-overlooked rural Black community came together in creative ways to survive the pandemic. The film received 12 festival awards and was released with The New Yorker. DeCruz is the former Chief of Staff at Race Forward and the former Communications Chair of the Seattle NAACP. Nine is her directorial feature debut.