The Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor for video and television content across all screens, has recognized the “Armed with Knowledge” video project for its impact on social issues. Researched, written and produced locally, “Armed with Knowledge” is based on actual events in Macon-Bibb and addresses the consequences of criminal activity. 

Presented by the Peyton Anderson Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., the “Armed with Knowledge” video project depicts the story of Noah, a preteen youth facing life-altering decisions that lead to illegal firearm possession.  Throughout the video, Noah learns hard truths and irreversible consequences through personal points of view from the perpetrator, victim’s family and Federal court system.

The Peyton Anderson Foundation worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Georgia, Inc. on the project’s development and continues to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Defenders for the Middle District of Georgia, Inc., the Bibb County School District and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office on distributing the educational video and accompanying facilitator guide for screening in schools and youth programs throughout Georgia. The video is suitable for middle school-aged viewers and older, although educators can choose to present the video to older elementary school-aged children, as deemed appropriate. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia also implemented “Armed with Knowledge” as part of its own Successful Tips for Youth on Law Enforcement Encounters (STYLE) youth outreach program.

The video was the brainchild of Peyton Anderson Foundation Trustee Marc Treadwell. Judge Treadwell is a United States District Judge, serving in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia since 2010. 

Filmed entirely in Central Georgia by Big Hair Productions, the video features local actors, as well as Judge Treadwell, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the Federal Defenders of the Middle District of Georgia. It also features a powerful scene with Tonora Jones, the mother of Ta’Shuntis “Tootie” Roberts, who was lost to gun violence in 2015. The credits on the Telly Awards – a Silver for “Social Impact” and a Bronze for “Social Issues” – recognizes the following for “Armed with Knowledge” cast and production team:

Producer/Director: Tabitha Walker, Big Hair Productions

Producer/Creative Development: Jessica Walden

DP/Editor: Stephanie Shadden, Big Hair Productions

Young Noah: Thomas Zachary Rutland, Actor

Adult Noah: Jelani Perkins, Actor

Mother in Church: Tonora Jones, Actor

Friend: Julius Render, Actor

Prosecuting Attorney: Sonja B. Profit, Actor

Defense Attorney: Christina L. Hunt, Actor

Executive Producer: Honorable Marc T. Treadwell, Peyton Anderson Foundation

Executive Producer: Karen Lambert, Peyton Anderson Foundation

The Telly Awards are prestigious video/film industry awards that recognize excellence in video and television storytelling. This year they received over 12,000 entries from 50 states and 5 countries. You can find more on the Telly Awards here: tellyawards.com. The complete listing of winners in both categories can be found in the following Telly Award links: 

• Social Impact (Silver)

• Social Issues (Bronze) 

The trailer of the video debuted August 5, 2020 via the Peyton Anderson Foundation and U.S. Attorney’s Office Facebook pages and directs viewers to the ArmedWithKnowledge.org website for additional information and the full-length video. Community youth organizations and school systems can request to use the video and its educational content from the ArmedWithKnowledge.org website. 

This month, a local task force comprised of community representatives from local government, local law enforcement, the U.S. court system, Bibb County Public Schools and community-based youth organizations will convene to re-launch “Armed with Knowledge” screenings at summer youth programming events. Details will be announced soon at a news conference later this month. 

To watch the video and learn more, visit ArmedWithKnowledge.org.