Marvin Bowser interviewing Michael Van Zant, a pastor at Faith Temple Church, in ‘Answering the Call’ (Screenshot via YouTube)

Marvin Bowser has teamed up with the producers at the District of Columbia Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment to release the TV special “DC Black Pride: Answering the Call.”

The documentary traces the roots of D.C. Black Pride and includes interviews with prominent members of the local black and LGBT community including D.C. Black Pride co-founder Ernest Hopkins, Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Sheila Alexander-Reid, LGBTQ activist Courtney Williams, Executive Director of the Wanda Alston Foundation June Crenshaw, among others.

Bower says he was inspired to embark on the project while researching for his story “Do we still need D.C. Black Pride?” for the Washington Blade.

“Answering the Call” will air periodically on DCN (ch.16 for D.C. cable providers). The documentary is available to watch anytime on YouTube.