Film Explores Global Influence of Highway 72

Alabama A&M's WJAB 90.9 FM and WJAB-TV will host a special screening of the documentary “72XP” on Friday, April 4, at 6:00 p.m. in the Johnson Little Theatre. The event is part of the University’s ongoing 150^th Anniversary celebrations and highlights the cultural and historical significance of Highway 72, a route the filmmakers refer to as the “Valley of Soul.”  

Produced by Meridian Media, Impresario Productions, Creative Vision Media, and Mullins Flat Films, “72XP” – short for “The Seven Two Experience” – is an immersive journey along Highway 72. Spanning from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Florence, Alabama, this corridor has been instrumental in shaping the arts, music, and entertainment industries worldwide.

“72XP” will show viewers how Highway 72 has played a major role in the global ecosystem,” said WJAB Production Coordinator and Announcer Marcus Sims. “If you’ve every enjoyed such entertainers as W.C. Handy, Usher, Samuel L. Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Bessie Smith, Highway 72 has had a role in shaping their legacy.”

Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with a distinguished panel of experts. Codie Gopher, an independent researcher of modern culture based in Huntsville, Ala., has over 25 years of experience in the creative music industry, with work recognized by “Forbes,” “The New York Times,” “National Geographic” and NPR.

William Hampton, founder of Huntsville Revisited Museum, is a leading authority on Huntsville’s rich history, particularly its Black heritage.

Rick Bradshaw, the director and producer of “72XP,” and founder of Impresario Productions, which brings together experts in theater production, event development, marketing, music, and tourism. He is also the founder of the hip hop magazine “Concrete.”

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 or two canned goods for faculty, staff, and community members and students attend free. All proceeds from the event will benefit the AAMU Student Pantry.

For more information, contact Marcus Sims at 256-372-8668 or marcus.sims@aamu.edu.