DURHAM, NC – March 6, 2025 – We are thrilled to announce the return of Lauren E. Banks to her hometown of Durham for a special weekend event celebrating indie cinema and cultural exchange. Join us at the Hayti Heritage Center for “Images & Ideas: Celebrating 30 Years of Film at Hayti,” where Banks will share her Hollywood experiences and passion for arts education through workshops and discussions.
Lauren E. Banks, known for her roles in “City On A Hill” and “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” comes back to her hometown not only to showcase her own film “Noelle Mercy,” but also to mentor aspiring artists in the Durham area.
“Returning to Durham to inspire young voices in the arts is a dream,” says Banks, “It’s about giving back to the community that nurtured my creative spirit.”
“Lauren is a Durham native and previous collaborator with Hayti” says Sam, the Marketing Coordinator at Hayti Heritage Center “so we were excited when she reached out to collaborate with us to create an event like this when we needed to to pause the Hayti Heritage Film Festival.”
The event that came out of this collaboration, “Images & Ideas,” features a diverse lineup of activities, including film screenings and workshops, offering a platform for cultural dialogue and artistic inspiration straight from Hollywood and making it available to all ages locally in Durham.
On Saturday, March 15th, attendees can look forward to the “Actor’s Workshop” working Banks herself leveraging the skills she’s learned in Hollywood and bringing them back to her community to provide professional level mentorship to the youth and adults that are interested in acting. With the goal of providing direct and meaningful impact to her home.
On Sunday, March 16th, attendees can come enjoy “Cinema Sundaze,” a Hayti Heritage Film Festival Popup screening a unique range of films, curated by Banks herself, and featuring talkback sessions after each film where the audience is encouraged to have a conversation with the artists to understand how and why they created the film on screen! At the end of “Sundaze,” participants can also join a VIP reception with the talent to meet new visitors to the area and boomerangs returning home for the night like Banks.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with one of Durham’s own and explore the rich tapestry of indie cinema. Tickets are available for the entire weekend or for individual sessions and start at $30.
They can be purchased at
https://eventvesta.com/events/99107/t/tickets
About Lauren Banks:
Banks is a Durham native most known for her roles in “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” (Paramount+) and “City On A Hill” (Showtime). She is also an alumna of Howard University and holds a Master in Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama and is a Ron Van Lieu Teaching Fellowship recipient with nearly 15 years of teaching experience and a deep passion for arts education.
About the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (Hayti Heritage Center):
The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. (SJHF) founded in 1975, is deeply rooted in the historic Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina. The once thriving business and residential district was dubbed “Black Wall Street” by Booker T. Washington.
The Hayti Heritage Center opened in 1975 under the management of the SJHF. The Center is a cultural enrichment and arts education facility that promotes cultural understanding through diverse events, activities and programs that preserve the heritage and embrace the experiences of Americans of African descent.
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