The story of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) began before the Civil War and influenced the course of the United States yet remains one of the country’s most important untold stories, until now. Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities is the first and only feature documentary to research, gather and share a rich mosaic of stories that relay the history of HBCUs. The film is produced by Firelight Films and directed by master documentarian Stanley Nelson, producer of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and other award-winning films that illuminate the rich experiences of African-Americans. Tell Them We Are Rising sheds new light on the inspirational path HBCUs have taken from their inception as schools to educate the families of formerly enslaved Americans to the challenges they face today for investment and understanding.