Ghetto Film School
In 2002, Russell met Andrew Unger while receiving an honorary degree at Amherst College. Unger introduced Russell to Joe Hall, president of Ghetto Film School. After viewing some of the student work, Russell immediately joined the board of Ghetto Film School, located in The Bronx, New York. Along with fellow board members, Russell brought filmmaker friends, movie studios, and industry professionals to donate money and lend their time to teach classes and support the growth of young black and Latino filmmakers from the South Bronx and Harlem. One of the connections Russell has brought to the school include Rachael Horovitz, who currently serves as the board chairman. In a recent interview, president Joe Hall went on record saying, "Without David there is no Ghetto Film School."
Today Ghetto Film School is an award-winning model helping over 500 teens per year tell their stories through several programs, including The Cinema School which the group opened in 2009 as "the first film high school in the country."
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