Kenrick Isaac, who grew up in the Virgin Islands and was born in St. Kitts, is spearheading a unique project aimed at supporting a school in South Africa through the power of documentary filmmaking. His initiative, inspired by a visit to Johannesburg, seeks to raise the profile of the school, Kgololo Academy School, founded by Thulani Mbatha and Waahida-Thobekile, highlighting their transformative work in education.
Isaac’s journey began on a whim during a trip to Johannesburg, where he visited friends who run a school. The school, set to celebrate its 10th anniversary, inspired Isaac to think of innovative ways to support its growth and reach. “We need to raise your profile,” Isaac recalled telling his friends, drawing inspiration from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott’s progressive approach to donations.
“While I was in South Africa, I said, you know, we need to raise your profile. So the idea of maybe a short documentary came up because I thought it would be great to have a visual piece to tell everybody about the school,” Isaac explained.
Building a Production Company
The concept quickly evolved, leading Issac to establish a production company under Redemption Holdings. Although the production company’s name is still in the works, its mission is clear: to create impactful films that tell important stories. The first project is the documentary on the South African school, aiming to secure additional support for its expansion to accommodate students up to 12th grade.
Isaac’s involvement in the film industry began unexpectedly when he assisted a friend with a documentary, Hugo: Portrait of a Dreamer, on St. Thomas. His experience as a director of photography on that project inspired him to pursue filmmaking more seriously. This newfound passion has been nurtured through collaboration with Timberhouse Films, a company known for its significant projects, including an upcoming documentary about Eric Garner’s story.
Isaac envisions a documentary that not only highlights the school’s achievements but also underscores the importance of education in transforming lives. “This effort is very organic and taking on a lot of things. We want to produce something groundbreaking,” he said.
Isaac is keen on showcasing the school’s journey and the dedication of Talani and Wahida, who have expanded the school from a primary institution to one that now includes middle school and, soon, high school students. “I want people to hear about this story. These kids now get opportunities that other people didn’t have, and documenting that is important,” he emphasized.
Isaac also hopes to bring the Virgin Islands’ rich cultural heritage into his projects. He sees potential in creating content that celebrates West Indian cuisine, akin to the style of Anthony Bourdain, but from a Caribbean perspective. “We should talk about our culture. And in order to save our culture, we have to live our culture,” Isaac noted.
He reminisced about unique culinary experiences from his youth in the Virgin Islands, stressing the importance of documenting and preserving traditional recipes and food culture. “We’re losing the flavor of our food because we’re not documenting it. And I think documenting it would help to re-inspire,” he said.
Isaac’s production company aims to create a variety of content, from documentaries to feature films, with a focus on collaboration and community engagement. “We’re in the crawl, walk, run phase. We start with podcasts, move to scripted shows, and then feature films,” he outlined.
By leveraging modern platforms and engaging with a younger audience through mediums like TikTok, Isaac hopes to make a significant impact. His ultimate goal is to support educational initiatives and preserve cultural heritage, all while telling compelling stories that resonate with a global audience.
Isaac is currently working on setting up a donation fund to support the school and the documentary. “We want to make sure we have a really good treatment in terms of a plan for how we’re going to tell this story,” he said. Donations will be split between funding the documentary and directly supporting the school.
As Isaac and his team continue to plan and execute this ambitious project, they are driven by the belief that education and cultural preservation are paramount. “This world is a small place. We should care about education everywhere, and I think documenting these stories is a step in the right direction,” Isaac concluded.
