Movies by Salima Koroma

Salima Koroma is a captivating voice in contemporary documentary filmmaking, using her camera to shine a light on untold stories and unsung heroes. With a keen eye for visual poetry and a commitment to social justice, Koroma's films are both enlightening and emotionally resonant. Koroma first made waves with her 2016 film "Bad Rap," which explored the challenges faced by Asian-American rappers navigating an industry dominated by Black and white artists. Through intimate profiles of four up-and-coming MCs, the film offered a nuanced look at identity, authenticity, and the pursuit of artistic dreams. This incisive exploration of race and representation in hip-hop established Koroma as a filmmaker unafraid to tackle complex, hot-button issues head-on. In more recent years, Koroma has turned her lens to moments of historical reckoning and community resilience. "Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street" (2021) movingly recounted the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, centering the voices of survivors and their descendants as they grappled with the legacy of that devastating event. And in her latest work, "Dear Ms.: A Revolution in Print" (2025), Koroma chronicles the rise of a pioneering Black feminist magazine, capturing the power of the written word to catalyze social change. With a visual style that is both intimate and expansive, Koroma's films illuminate the human experience at the heart of pivotal cultural and political moments. Whether delving into the world of hip-hop or exploring pivotal chapters in African-American history, Salima Koroma's documentaries are marked by a deep empathy, a commitment to underrepresented perspectives, and a relentless pursuit of the truth. Her work stands as a testament to the transformative potential