“RUNNING TO HARVARD” Upcoming Documentary
A Man, a Family and a Colorado Community that Dared to Dream of a Better America
“Running to Harvard,” Executive Producer
My name is Frank Shines, and I am the executive producer of “Running to Harvard.” This documentary tells a compelling, yet untold, true story of inspiration that we are eager to share with the public, with your invaluable assistance.
I’ve had the privilege of flying military jets, training and competing alongside Olympic athletes, and receiving a Presidential appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where my family resided in the 1900s. It was here through the aid of the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum that I began to uncover my family’s pioneering accomplishments in academia, public service, business, sports, the arts, and science. Jack Stroud, akin to the “Hidden Figures” of the Apollo mission, is one such figure.
My great grandfather, K.D. Stroud, spent his early life on a Texas slave plantation. In the face of this adversity, he and his wife, Lulu Magee of the Creek Nation, dared to envision a better future for their progeny.
Two of K.D.’s sons, my grandfather Tandy and his older brother Dolphus, stood out as exceptional scholar-athletes with Olympic dreams. My great-uncle Dolphus was a recognized Phi Beta Kappa scholar-athlete. Although he clinched victory in the Rocky Mountain Region Denver marathon, earning his place in the 1928 Olympic Trials at Harvard Stadium, he was unjustly denied funding for travel and a seat on the train alongside his white counterparts.
Nevertheless, Dolphus remained resolute. Displaying humility and courage, he embarked on a 2,000-mile journey by foot from Colorado to Cambridge. His trek occurred in the racially charged 1920s, an era when Black men faced the grim prospect of lynching. Risking life and limb, Dolphus walked, ran, and hitchhiked across the country for a chance to compete in the 1928 Olympics. After nearly twelve days and a mere six hours before the start of his 5K race, Dolphus finally reached the bank of the Charles River. The documentary “Running to Harvard” is dedicated to narrating this remarkable journey.
RTL Foundation
Non-Profit Fiscal Sponsor
Richard Lewis, founder of the RTL Foundation, is a fellow Air Force Academy graduate and friend of Frank Shines, the executive director of “Running to Harvard.”
Mr. Lewis is also a long-time friend of the Stroud family, a military vet and a successful Hi Tech CEO with his business headquarters, RTL Networks, in Denver.
We welcome your sponsorship or support by Donation.
Creative Team:
Ralph, Ky and Mike
Ralph-Michael Giordano, a 35-year resident of Colorado Springs, is the Executive Director of “Running to Harvard.”
Mike Pach is the Assistant Director for the documentary and Ky Hanchett is the Cinematographer.
“Running to Harvard” is based on the soon-to-be- released book, Slave House to White House by Frank Shines.
Our hope is that “RTH” will not only inspire current and future generations but perhaps it just might help to heal our nation.
What brings us together is infinitely more power than what tears us apart.
Dolphus Stroud’s 2,000 Race for the 1928 Olympics
Inspired by the life stories of Dolphus Stroud, his Aunt Jenny of the Creek Nation and his siblings Effie Stroud and Tandy Stroud, we follow Dolphus’ 2,000-mile cross-country journey for a chance to compete in the 1928 Olympics, eight years before Jesse Owens‘ historic Berlin Olympic performance.