Media
A Ripple in Ann Arbor
Originated and produced by Ann Arbor City Council Member Cynthia Harrison, the short documentary film A Ripple in Ann Arbor tells the story of the search for a serial rapist in Ann Arbor in the 1990s, the unfocused and invasive tactics used by police to find the perpetrator, and the innocent man who took the city to court to expose these tactics and reclaim his dignity, weaving interviews with people who lived these events with primary source materials.
Directed by filmmaker Aliyah Mitchell in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library Archives, the film was released on November 9, 2025, in a truth and reconciliation event at the Michigan Theater. Following the showing of the film, a panel discussion of local civic and law enforcement leaders discussed the events and offered a formal apology to those affected.
The AADL Archives has many additional materials to explore relating to this topic, including dozens of Ann Arbor News articles that appear in the film. Michigan Daily articles are courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library:
1:02 - Police Suspect Serial Rapist - Michigan Daily, May 11, 1994
1:13 - Manhunt For Rapist Intensifies - Michigan Daily, October 17, 1994
2:21 - 5 Police Officers Receive Special Valor Citations - Ann Arbor News, June 24, 1991
3:00 - Police Give Public Improved Profile Of Serial Rapist - Ann Arbor News, June 30, 1994
6:27 - Rites Honor Gailbreath - Ann Arbor News, May 13, 1994
9:28 - Residents Resent Living In Fear - Ann Arbor News, May 13, 1994
10:35 - Public Seeks Action On Serial Rapist - Ann Arbor News, May 12, 1994
10:37 - Police Take Hit At Rapist Forum - Ann Arbor News, August 3, 1995
11:11 - Tenants Union & HRP Plot Renter Survival Tactics - Ann Arbor Sun, October 11, 1974
17:42 - Women & Safety - Ann Arbor News, November 15, 1994
20:28 - Coalition For Community Unity - Ann Arbor News, August 1, 1994
21:42 - Description Used Of Rapist Worries Some - Ann Arbor News, May 15, 1994
22:30 - Reward In Serial Rapist Case Grows - Ann Arbor News, October 29, 1994
24:22, 24:57 & 25:16 - Blacks Feel Wounded By Suspicion - Ann Arbor News, January 25, 1995
25:04 - Police Vow To Return Samples Eventually - Ann Arbor News, July 16, 1995
27:45 - More Consideration Of Blacks Urged In City Planning - Ann Arbor News, March 20, 1972
31:04 - Kurt Berggren For District Court Election Editorials - Agenda, November 1990
31:35 - Search For Serial Rapist Prompts Civil Rights Suit - Ann Arbor News, April 4, 1995
31:59 - 2nd Serial Attacker Suspected - Ann Arbor News, November 1, 1994
32:07 - Police Find Clues In Molester Hunt - Ann Arbor News, November 19, 1994
32:23 - Ann Arbor Man Gets 16-20 Years For Sexual Assault - Ann Arbor News, November 18, 1997
32:53 - Cabbie Describes Tension of Pursuit - Ann Arbor News, January 10, 1995
33:16 - Women Feel Sense of Relief - Ann Arbor News, March 3, 1995
33:23 - 5 Stories That Rocked Our Summer - Agenda, September 1995
33:28 - ‘92 DNA Tests Link Man To Serial Rapes - Michigan Daily, January 9, 1995
33:38 - Police Take Hit At Rapist Forum - Ann Arbor News, August 3, 1995
33:46 - Man Wins Ruling on Blood Sample - Ann Arbor News, December 14, 1995
36:19 - Blood Samples Are Still Barrier - Ann Arbor News, July 14, 1995
36:48 - Man Sues A2 Police Over Harassment In Rape Case - Michigan Daily, April 4, 1995
41:46 - Black Men Recount Pain Of Being Suspected In Rapes - Ann Arbor News, December 11, 1994
45:13 - Public Concerned About Racism Allegations - Ann Arbor News, November 15, 1994
Media
Talkin' Music - Episode 3: Beginnings: Instructional Program for Youth
In the 1960’s Dr. Patterson noticed a lack of participation from students of color in Ann Arbor’s public school music programs, an issue that still persists today. He founded the Our Own Thing Instructional Program to provide free instruments, instruction, and support for local youth. In this episode, we hear a lively discussion between Dr. Patterson and Sylvia Harmon, one of his earliest students.
Media
Talkin' Music - Episode 2: Taking Root, Voices Heard, Part 2
In this episode, we continue to be inspired by Dr. Patterson’s journey through life and music, from imitating singers he heard on the radio to introducing audiences to new genres. He shares his passion for community and dedication to African American choral music, particularly Spirituals.
Media
Talkin' Music - Episode 1: Taking Root, Voices Heard, Part 1
In this episode, we hear about the origins of the Our Own Thing Chorale and Instructional Program with founder and special guest Dr. Willis C. Patterson. Dr. Patterson recalls the importance of music in his own development, especially as a member of the Dunbar Community Chorus.
Media
Relentless Warrior: Al Wheeler - Ann Arbor's First Black Mayor
"It's been 50 years since Al Wheeler’s historic campaign for Mayor of the City of Ann Arbor. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of his death. Relentless Warrior lifts up little-known facts of Dr. Wheeler’s amazing saga. From humble beginnings to a whirlwind tour of top educational institutions, we share how Professor Wheeler shaped and shared a life of firsts with his equally impressive wife, Emma, and their accomplished family. We also hear from some of the people who knew Al best and helped him become the first Black Mayor of Ann Arbor, as well as win re-election with a one vote, precedent-setting result.” - Filmmaker Carole Gibson
Media
Room for Change: Ann Arbor's Fair Housing Protests in the 1960s
"In the early 1960s, Ann Arbor neighborhoods were still mostly segregated. Racially restrictive housing covenants, realtors, banks, and landlords quietly worked to keep African Americans confined to only certain parts of the city. Hundreds of individuals and groups, including the NAACP, CORE, churches, and student groups began picketing, marching, and organizing sit-ins in protest. This film presents some of their stories." - Filmmaker Jennifer Howard
Media
Black Foodways
In this video compiled from dozens of interviews from the Living Oral History Project and the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive, participants share their memories of food and food traditions in their families, including fishing on the Huron River, hosting Fourth of July barbecues, and even starting a restaurant.
The Living Oral History Project is a partnership between the African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County and the Ann Arbor District Library, providing a permanent home for 50+ interviews with Black community members collected over the past decade. The collection continues to grow with interviews added each year.
The There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive contains 35 interviews that went into the research and making of a documentary film about the closing of Jones School, produced by the Ann Arbor District Library and 7 Cylinders Studio.
Media
There Went The Neighborhood - Audio Interview: Grant Sleet
Grant Sleet grew up on Beakes Street and attended Jones School from kindergarten to fifth grade. When Jones School closed in 1965, he was bused to Pattengill Elementary School. He also describes what it was like to travel and compete as a member of the French Dukes precision drill team.
More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.
Media
There Went The Neighborhood - Audio Interview: Harold Simons
Harold Simons attended Jones School in the 1950s, and he remembers his sixth grade teacher Harry Mial as an important role model. He went on to teach physical education and coach varsity basketball and golf at Huron High School from 1980 to 2007.
More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.
Media
There Went The Neighborhood - Audio Interview: James Bryant
James Bryant attended Jones School from kindergarten to fifth grade. When Jones School closed in 1965, he was bused to Pattengill Elementary, and he remembers a tumultuous period of racial conflict. He helped form the Black Student Union at Tappan Junior High and Huron High School.
More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.