Culture

HEARD

Many in America struggle to find a safe, affordable home. For the poorest among us, “the projects” are among the few options. But the public housing infrastructure is aged and crumbling. And those communities are riddled with drugs and violence. Where can the nation’s poor and disadvantaged find adequate housing?

Heard

1h 26m

News coverage offers a steady stream of dramatic stories of violence, gangs and drugs in America’s public housing project that obscures the unique, compelling and varied personal stories of the residents living there. Heard captures the inspiring stories of four people who grew up in “the projects,” surviving and thriving despite – and often because of – the challenges they’ve had to overcome.

Episodes

  • Heard: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Heard

    S2020 - 1h 26m

    News coverage offers a steady stream of dramatic stories of violence, gangs and drugs in America’s public housing project that obscures the unique, compelling and varied personal stories of the residents living there. Heard captures the inspiring stories of four people who grew up in “the projects,” surviving and thriving despite – and often because of – the challenges they’ve had to overcome.

Extras + Features

  • Clovia Lawrence: Mental Health Issues & Violence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Clovia Lawrence: Mental Health Issues & Violence

    S2020 E2 - 2m 45s

    Community advocate Clovia Lawrence shares how undiagnosed mental health issues and economic stressors can create an environment for increased violence within public housing communities.

  • Trauma from Violence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trauma from Violence

    S2020 E2 - 4m 17s

    When you hear about the violence in Richmond’s public housing, often there is no discussion about the impact on the community. How does this trauma affect those who have to live there day in and day out?

  • Cotina Brake: Sharing Her Story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cotina Brake: Sharing Her Story

    S2020 E2 - 2m 46s

    Cotina Brake grew up in Richmond public housing. She shares her story so others may gain perspective and feel inspired by her experience.

  • Von Johnson: Dealing Drugs: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Von Johnson: Dealing Drugs

    S2020 E2 - 3m 6s

    Von Johnson dealt drugs to survive Richmond’s projects, make friends and lift himself out of poverty. Now, he’s mentoring young boys and letting them know, there’s another way.

  • HEARD - Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HEARD - Trailer

    S2020 E1 - 2m 57s

    Many in America struggle to find a safe, affordable home. For the poorest among us, “the projects” are among the few options. But the public housing infrastructure is aged and crumbling. And those communities are riddled with drugs and violence. Where can the nation’s poor and disadvantaged find adequate housing?

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.