Cole: Bridge to Justice is a feature-length documentary that traces the remarkable journey of Dr. Donald R. Cole — from his pivotal role as one of the “Ole Miss Eight” challenging segregation at the University of Mississippi to his emergence as a national advocate for education, equity, and justice.
In 1970, as the Civil Rights Movement reshaped the American South, Dr. Cole and seven fellow Black students stood at the forefront of campus activism, demanding equity and inclusion in the face of entrenched resistance. Expelled for his protest and sent to Parchman State Penitentiary, Cole’s personal sacrifices became a catalyst for broader conversations about race, access, and belonging in higher education.
The film follows Dr. Cole’s evolution — from an impassioned student activist to a distinguished scholar, educator, and leader whose work has expanded opportunities for Black students and scholars across the academy and beyond. Through archival footage, candid interviews, and powerful storytelling, Cole: Bridge to Justice reflects on the enduring challenges and triumphs of the struggle for civil rights, offering audiences an intimate portrait of courage, resilience, and the long arc of justice.
By centering Dr. Cole’s lived experience, the documentary invites viewers to consider how grassroots activism fuels systemic change and what it means to build bridges toward greater equity in our communities today.