Paragraphs of a Paige is an upcoming biopic short film on the life and legacy of the late Dr. Roderick “Rod” Paige. A lifelong educator and trailblazer, Dr. Paige made history as the first Black person to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education, holding office from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. He is widely recognized as a primary architect of the landmark “No Child Left Behind Act.”
Before his Cabinet tenure, Dr. Paige was dean of the College of Education at Texas Southern University. He later served as the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District. He also worked as a classroom teacher, coach, and interim college president.
“On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Rod Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Paige, the son of a principal and a librarian in public schools, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education,” a section of the Department of Education’s website that honors Paige says. “Born in 1933 in segregated Monticello, Mississippi, Paige’s accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in his home state. He then earned both a master’s and a doctoral degree from Indiana University.”
The film is written and directed by Isaac Yowman, a Grammy-nominated, 12x Platinum music producer turned award-winning filmmaker. As Founder and Creative Director of IYO Visuals, Yowman leads a premier minority-owned production house with high-profile brand collaborations for the NBA, Marvel, Nike, Netflix, and General Motors. Yowman’s directorial portfolio includes All Screwed Up, the NAACP Image Award–nominated documentary Memory Builds The Monument, and the Adidas short film Rides & Hides, which won top honors at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, along with Telly, Shorty, and Cannes Lions recognition.
Acclaimed actor Woody McClain (Power Book II: Ghost, The Harder They Fall) brings Dr. Paige’s storied life to the screen. He is best known for his breakout portrayals of Bobby Brown in Paramount’s The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. Joining McClain is Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles, the comedian, actor, and host of OWN’s Ready to Love, and longtime co-host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show.
“Rod was a leader and a friend. Unsatisfied with the status quo, he challenged what we called ‘the soft bigotry of low expectations,” said former President George W. Bush about Paige. “Rod worked hard to make sure that where a child was born didn’t determine whether they could succeed in school and beyond. He devoted his life to America’s young people and made a difference.”
“Paragraphs of a Paige” honors a Black history icon in American education whose vision continues to shape classrooms nationwide. The film will be released in 2027. Stay locked in to NewsOne for more info.
