ABFF 2020 Preview: Washington Kirk’s Web Series ‘Frederick Douglass Boulevard aka Food & Drink Boulevard aka F.D.B.’

Currently screening at this year's American Black Film Festival (abff.com) in the web series category. F.D.B. is the story of one man's ambivalence about the gentrification of Harlem and the ludicrous scheme he concocts to de-gentrify it.

The creator is Washington Kirk, first-time filmmaker who created the television project Frederick Douglass Boulevard aka Food and Drink Boulevard aka F.D.B. 

Malcolm Jamal Turner, an attorney-cum-music writer from the Ohio suburbs, now living in Harlem, reports being ambivalent about the influx of white residents into the fabled black neighborhood.  In response, he and his wife, Reychelle Afeni Turner, an adjunct professor of African-American Studies at City College, have concocted a desperate (some might say, ridiculous) scheme to “de-gentrify” it.  Yesterday, Mr. Turner dodged questions regarding the ethical merits of he and his wife’s approach, but made quite the scene outside a new, local coffee house.  Bullhorn in hand, Mr. Turner declared: “Gentrification now, de-gentrification tomorrow…” then, after some rumination, resumed the spectacle, chanting, “[Expletive] Donald Trump!”

Frederick Douglass Boulevard aka Food & Drink Boulevard aka F.D.B. is a television project that explores the uncanny parallels (and crucial distinctions) between those who would prefer black neighborhoods stay that way and those who hope to make the country white again.  If Breaking Bad was the story of Mr. Chipps becoming Scarface, F.D.B. is the story of Theo Huxtable becoming Stokely Carmichael.  Frederick Douglass Boulevard aka Food & Drink Boulevard aka F.D.B. aka...  Breaking Righteous…  (It’s odds-on favorite to win longest title at this year’s American Black Film Festival aka ABFF).

Starring Washington Kirk, Arash Mokhtar, Hannah Corrigan, Matt Di Loreto, Megan Robinson and Ron Canada.