Rent-to-own News - 'In the Hive' creates a buzz for customer of the year

Vivian Saunders recognized at APRO's 2011 Convention in Little Rock. Watch.

Robert Townsend presented his new film “In The Hive” this week to a captivated audience of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.

The movie tells the real-life story of APRO's 2011 Customer of the Year, Vivian Saunders, and her mission to use education and technology to help transform the lives of young African American men living in rural Bertie County, North Carolina.

The charter school she founded, The Hive, is the source of the movie's name. 

APRO Convention attendees raised more than $30,000 in Little Rock this July to assist Saunder's after school program which absorbed much of The Hive's student body after state budget cuts forced closure of the school last spring.

Jonathan Rose, BestWay Rent To Own owner from whose company Saunders was nominated for APRO's Customer of the Year Award, attended the event and was overwhelmed with the power of the film.

"These people have all validated what Vivian has done and that was very powerful to see," Rose said. "You impact one life and you have made a profound difference, you affect as many lives as Vivian has and you're talking about a real cultural change. It was a phenomenal and disturbing story brought to light. We have the privilege of having this exceptional human being as our customer. I hope the exposure helps her gain even more support."

Rose said BestWay, in conjunction with the company's associate vendors, recently committed to help outfit a renovated building that will serve as The Hive's new location once adequate funding has been secured.

The movie premiere was followed by a brief question and answer session moderated by Jeff Johnson with Townsend and several members of the film’s cast, including Jonathan McDaniel, Loretta Devine and Vivica A. Fox.  Minister and singer Wintley Phipps also treated the audience of viewers to a prayer and performance.

Also attending were Rey Ramsey, the movie producer and chairman of One Economy -- The Hive's parent non-profit organization, Vivian Saunders, executive director of The Hive (whose character is played by Devine in the film), scholar Michael Eric Dyson and U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-North Carolina.The Hive school is in Butterfield’s congressional district.

Saunders said it was “awesome and overwhelming” to have her story come to life through the new film.

The film is currently in search of a nationwide distributor.

Watch YouTube video documentary about Saunders here.

For more information about The Hive and how to help, contact Vivian Saunders at saunders239@yahoo.com.