The Alpha Phi Alpha “Night of Enlightenment” lecture series was turned into a night of sharing between filmmaker Spike Lee (center) and those who came to hear him at the University of Memphis on Wednesday (March 17.) (Photos by Inez Robinson)

Nyah Nile

Ingenious producer, director, writer and actor – all fit Spike Lee, who spoke on an array of issues, mostly the image of black America and the politics of film and media, during a visit to the University of Memphis campus on Wednesday (March 17.)

A diverse group of traditional and non-traditional students and film lovers filled The Michael D. Rose Theatre for the 7:30 p.m. event, which was free and open to the public and part of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s “Night of Enlightenment” lecture series.

The auditorium was filled to capacity. A chair and a table were placed in the center of the stage. Soon they became props and backdrop for Lee and his enchanting way of grabbing attention with straight-talk and emotion-filled realism.

There is no “one” way to do something, Spike Lee during his message to students at the University of Memphis.

Lee shared stories of how it all began for him, thanking such influences as his family, mentors and teachers. He recalled his grandmother who stayed close to Morehouse College in Atlanta. Lee noted that he would not have made it through school if it were not for her allowing him and his friends to come over and eat some of his favorites such as greens, yams and sweet tea.

Throughout the evening, Lee answered questions. He encouraged aspiring students to remember that there is no “one” way. Later, in a one-on-one interview, Lee reflected on his interaction with the students.

“It was good. I hope I said some things to inspire the student body. It is very important that there is a follow-up. Hopefully the audience will go out and be inspired to do whatever it is that they may want to do in this life because we need everybody,” he said.

“I have been a professor at New York University for the last 13 years and also the artistic director at the film school, and students are always coming to me asking me: How do you do this? How do you do that? I tell them all the same thing. There is no ‘one’ way to do something. You have to try to find which way works best for you.

“Just because I went to film school doesn’t mean you have to go to school to become a filmmaker. Especially when you take a look at the technology that is around now. That was not around then. Back then we went for the access to the equipment, but that is not the case anymore. Now you just gotta make a way.”

Local filmmaker David Merrill was among those in the audience for Lee’s night of sharing.

“His message was positive…and I think it is important that everyone recognizes there is not just one artistic voice. There are many trying to tell a story, and it doesn’t mean that any one is less important. They all need to be listened to…like notes in a symphony. The symphony loses something if you take one out. You have to have Spike Lee, you have to have John Singleton and they all add to the symphony.”