A Philanthropy Alliance Foundation Collaboration . . .

 “The Ginny Battle” documentary tells the story of Virginia “Ginny” Battle, a former Kennedy staff member.   She was initially introduced to the young Congressman in 1954, by JFK's dear friend, Harold Vaughan.  

Ginny never went to college, but she went to Boston Clerical School and studied secretarial work, during a time in the ’50s when secretarial jobs were reserved for white women.

Because of her exceptional clerical skills, she became the first black person hired to work for a congressman in New England.  As her career continued to blossom, Ginny accompanied  JFK into the presidency, where she became the first black person to be on the White House staff for the democrats.

Ginny  worked for the President until his death in

November  1963.

  As a former mentor of Spike Lee, George is a filmmaker himself.  With both of them attending Morehouse College, George also befriended Ginny Battle’s youngest son, Glenn Battle.  It was through their friendship that he was initially introduced to the wonderful, Ginny Battle and her husband. 

Folkes recalls interviewing and filming the Battles over a six-year period. Flying from Ft. Myers to Washington, D.C. and Boston, and two road trips to West Palm Beach, he became convinced of his life’s purpose to become a documentary filmmaker.  

Through his company, Gentle Drop Films, George’s goals are to: 1) bring unsung achievements to film 2) produce films about individual families to preserve their legacies 3) train and employ young filmmakers and 4) to entertain and teach through cinema art.  

Contact George Folkes directly at gfolkes@mindspring.com