Watch Finding the Gold Within

Finding the Gold Within is a thought-provoking and inspiring documentary that was released in 2014. The film follows the journey of six young men, all of whom have been mentored by Dr. William "Bill" Witherspoon. The movie brings up themes of race, identity, education, and personal growth. The movie opens up with an introduction to Dr. Witherspoon, who is a professor of physics at Berea College in Kentucky. Dr. Witherspoon has been mentoring African-American male students for over 25 years. His work is widely recognized for its impact on these young men's lives, who have been shaped by the guidance and support provided by him.

Throughout the film, the six men speak honestly and openly about their personal struggles and the challenges they face as young black men in America. Darius Simpson, Brandyn Costa, Stacee Starr, Imani Scruggs, Shawntrail Smith, and Alex Taylor come from different backgrounds but share a common thread. They all have struggled with identity and self-worth and sought guidance from Dr. Witherspoon.

Darius Simpson is an aspiring rapper from Akron, Ohio. He shares his story of growing up in poverty and being raised by his grandmother. Brandyn Costa, on the other hand, is a student from San Francisco, who shares his past experiences of getting into trouble with the law. Stacee Starr is from Atlanta, Georgia, and has started her dance company. She talks about being a black woman in the dance industry and how she has struggled with finding her place. Imani Scruggs is from Cleveland, Ohio, and shares her journey of discovering her passion for journalism. Shawntrail Smith is a student from Cleveland, Ohio, who shares his story of being a single parent and the difficulties he faces in balancing his education and parenting.

The movie shows how Dr. Witherspoon's mentoring style has helped these young men overcome various challenges in their lives. He encourages them to explore their identity, embrace their culture, and pursue their dreams. Dr. Witherspoon teaches his mentees to see themselves through a new light and encourages them to ask critical questions about what they want to accomplish in life.

Finding the Gold Within is much more than just a documentary about Dr. Witherspoon's mentoring program. The film serves as a wake-up call for the African-American community, to highlight the multiple challenges, and struggles they experience daily. The movie emphasizes the importance of community support, self-love, and being true to oneself.

As the movie progresses, we can see how each of the young men changes and grows, exploring different paths to their success, driven largely by the conversations that they had with Dr. Witherspoon. Through honest and personal stories, the movie highlights the challenges that black men encounter daily and offers an inspiring narrative of hope and perseverance.

Finding the Gold Within is directed by Karina Epperlein, who offers a new perspective with her approach to filming. Instead of interviewing the young men one on one, she films their personal conversations, bringing a fresh and authentic feel. Epperlein's approach makes the movie much more compelling and offers an intimate look into these young men's lives.

In conclusion, Finding the Gold Within is an intensively personal story about six young men on their journey of self-discovery. The movie provides viewers with an unfiltered look at the struggles that black men experience and how mentorship can impact, uplift, and inspire at the same time. Dr. Witherspoon's work has been instrumental in changing the lives of many, and this documentary is a testament to his life's work.

Finding the Gold Within is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.8.