Too Blue To Be Black, Too Black To Be Blue

Are African American officers accepted among their own community?

They are African-American men and women, who choose everyday to serve and protect. But “Do the Community and Caucasian Officers accept African American officers?” Despite that question, Black and Brown Officers have functioned and continue to function as the color paradigm shifts from a predominately white male occupation to a more blended work force. This documentary from a personal perspective will explore the history of those relationships in the land of the free.

Are African American officers accepted among their white peers?


Filmmaker Personal Inspiration
Often thought but rarely spoken by comrades: Black police officers cannot be loyal to the “Thin Blue Line.” The African-American community expresses the same sentiments.


Filmmaker Historical Inspiration
In the early 1800’s New Orleans had “Free Men of Color” who served as police officers known as “City Guard.” It wasn’t until approximately 1871 when African American police officers began to fully enforce all laws on all citizens. Often not respected and frequently shunned by both white officers and civilians, African American officers maintained their professional integrity and courage by serving their communities honorably and fairly.

(Executives, 1998)


Marvin Stepherson (Author/Writer)

Marvin Stepherson worked for the Rochester Police Department as a patrol sergeant, retiring in 2014 after twenty-five years of service. He holds several teaching certifications, a Bachelors degree in Public Safety Administration, a Masters of Science Degree in Strategic Leadership, and currently teaches “Ethnic and Social Diversity” at Roberts Wesleyan College. Marvin is a retired veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corp and U.S. Coast Guard. Marvin is a husband and father and currently resides in Rochester, New York.

Mikhail A. Gershteyn (Producer/Director)

Mikhail Gershteyn began his career in the Ukraine, and has produced feature films, documentaries, television shows and nearly 100 commercials. Since immigrating to the US, he has been working for over 16 years at WXXI Television - Rochester. Mikhail has a Bachelors degree in Communication and Broadcasting from SUNY Brockport and holds a Masters degree in World History and Archeology. Mikhail is a husband and father. He is currently producing a documentary about Soviet Union holocaust survivors and worked closely with Oxford professor Sir Martin Gilbert.

WHERE: The Little Theater

WHEN: May 5th @ 7:00pm

Please join us at The Little for our Rochester premiere screening of "Too Blue to Black, Too Black to be Blue" with a Filmmaker Q&A to follow with Mikhail Gershteyn and Marvin Stepherson.

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WHERE: The Little Theater

WHEN: August 17th @ 7:00pm

Please join us at The Little for our Rochester encore screening of "Too Blue to Black, Too Black to be Blue" with a Filmmaker Q&A to follow with Mikhail Gershteyn and Marvin Stepherson.

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WHERE: Xerox Auditorium - Rochester Institute of Technology

WHEN: November 30th @ 6:00pm

Please join us at the James E. Gleason Hall - Room 2580 for our RIT screening of "Too Blue to Black, Too Black to be Blue" with a Filmmaker Q&A to follow with Mikhail Gershteyn and Marvin Stepherson. Adam McFadden (Rochester City Councilman), Tonya Noel (Director of Cause and Effect) and Je'Carl Hill (Youth Organizer for Teen Empowerment) will join the panel following the screening.

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