Murphy, a mental health counselor from Charlotte, NC, is also the founder of History Before Us, a film company focused on Black history. His film Echoes of the Forks of Cypress explores the lives and legacies of people connected to the Forks of Cypress plantation in Florence, Alabama, including his own ancestors. 

One of Murphy’s primary objectives for the project was to help other Black descendants trace their family lines. “Genealogy for people of African descent can be challenging due to gaps and erasures in historical records,” Murphy says. “Collaboration between descendant communities on all sides…helps reclaim ancestral legacies.” 

The Alabama Humanities Alliance funded the project. When funding was cut midway through production by DOGE, some of the descendants of the Forks made contributions to fill part of the gap, but to complete the film, Murphy shouldered the rest of the debt himself. It premiered in Alabama in August to a rapt overflow audience, and generous contributions from that event helped to defray some of the costs.

The screening of Echoes of the Forks of Cypress, arranged by Deer Isle summer resident Curtis Flowers, a descendant of the Forks owners, will be free, but donations will be encouraged to help repay the remaining production costs. Murphy will be present for a Q&A and reception following the 45-minute film. All are welcome.