The Follin Speaker Series is an endowed program that has given Webb students, faculty, and parents the opportunity to be exposed to world-class speakers, authors, performers, coaches, and educators. Our most recent special guest was filmmaker, songwriter, and author Andrew Greer, who was on campus April 11 to speak to Webb students in two chapel sessions and to present a private screening of his PBS documentary Plainspoken. The film asks poignant questions about themes of justice and race relations in the deep south, especially in the rural town of Plains, GA - which also happens to be longtime hometown of the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter.
When addressing the Upper and Middle school chapels, Mr. Greer shared a video of an interview he did with President Carter in 2021, one of Carter's final interviews. When asked what one message Carter would like to leave the world with, he spoke to his faith put into action - that the world would love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.
"With all different religious beliefs, our political leanings, our ideologies, our influences, our cultural backgrounds, our lifestyles - with all of that diversity trying to live peacefully under one universal roof - then answering the question 'How do I love my neighbor' is not really that simple. It's a bit tricky," shared Andrew Greer in his chapel address.
Mr. Greer continued, "When I read [Jimmy Carter's friend] Pastor Cruz's words, I thought, 'Are you serious? Could this huge question about loving our neighbor be as simple as being present with the person in front of me?" As a bonus treat exclusive to the Middle School chapel, Mr. Greer performed "Butterfly Fly (Rosalynn's Song)" - a song he co-wrote with award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan in honor of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's 95th birthday.
In addition to his inspiring talks to the student body, a free screening of the film Plainspoken was made available to the whole community at an evening gathering in Bond Library. Mr. Greer was joined by film co-producer Chris Cameron to field questions from the attendees.
You can find Plainspoken streaming now on the PBS app, and you can see some additional photos and watch the full Upper School chapel presentation below.
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