Still from Falaka Fattah and The House of Umoja. A big group of people standing by a house, some of which are holding drums, smile and look at the camera.
Falaka Fattah and The House of Umoja
Still from Falaka Fattah and The House of Umoja
In Production

Directed by

Jos Duncan-Asé and Jason Pollard

In 1969, when gangs were forming throughout the United States as an act of resistance and protection from police brutality, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah and her husband David Fattah opened up their home to warring gangs in the Philadelphia area out of concern for the safety of her son. In the ensuing years the Fattahs worked with over 105 gangs, convincing them to a sign a pledge of peace, and eradicating almost all of the gangs violence in Philadelphia. As gun violence spurs in Philadelphia, Queen Mother Falakah Fattah urges today’s leaders to uphold the House of Umoja movement.

Falaka Fattah and The House of Umoja was a participant of the 2019 Nest Knight Fellowship (past program), a pilot initiative generously supported by Knight Foundation.

Meet the Filmmakers
Jos Duncan-Asé looking at the camera, smiling. She is wearing a black and white vertical stripe blouse and hoop earrings, and is standing next to a stone wall. Black and white portrait, with the background out of focus.
Jos Duncan-Asé
Photo courtesy Jos Duncan-Asé
Jason Pollard looking at the camera, wearing a dark jacket with the collar upturned. Black and white portrait, with the background of out of focus.
Jason Pollard
Photo courtesy Jason Pollard
topics & tags
Criminal JusticeEconomic Justice/Poverty
Program cohorts
Nest Knight Fellowship 2019