“Restless Ground: The Untold Story of Mt. Olive” recognized in Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, “Return to Hockessin #107C” recognized in national film festivals

WILMINGTON — On Saturday, September 20, Governor Matt Meyer and several current and former New Castle County colleagues notched their second win in four years at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards in the Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Long-Form category, with the documentary, “Restless Ground: The Untold Story of Mt. Olive.”

The Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Long-Form category, “honors excellence in content focused on topics including racism, discrimination, inequity, marginalized communities and similar social injustices, notably focused on efforts to raise awareness or affect positive change,” according to the contest’s 2025 call for entries.

“This story is about truth, justice, and honoring the lives and legacies of people too long overlooked,” Governor Matt Meyer said. “I am deeply proud of the team that brought this story forward and grateful to the Mother Africa Union Church community for trusting us with it. Telling even our hardest, cruelest Delaware history can spark change and build a more just future.”

Produced by Governor Meyer, New Castle County’s Deputy Director of Strategic Communications Kyle Grantham, and others, working with 1440 Film Co., “Restless Ground” explores the complex history of the Mt. Olive Cemetery. The documentary details the impact of institutional racism on those interred there, New Castle County’s efforts with the Mother African Union Church and Trust for Public Land to bring them justice and dignity after decades of broken promises from leaders, and the unwavering commitment of one man to maintain the property – before learning of his own family connection to the grounds.

“I’m incredibly honored that ‘Restless Ground’ was recognized and thankful for the amazing colleagues I was fortunate to partner with in telling this story,” Kyle Grantham said. “This project was something I worked on for three years, and it couldn’t have become a reality without our crew at 1440, or the Mt. Olive community opening up and sharing their stories with us.”

In addition to “Restless Ground” winning at the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards, another documentary produced by New Castle County, “Return to Hockessin No. 107C,” has received recognition from several film festivals across the country, including a win for Best Documentary Short at the Newark Independent Film Festival in August.

“Return to Hockessin No. 107C,” produced in partnership with Bowstring, was nominated for a 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy in the Historical/Cultural Long-Form category and has been accepted to the Diamond State Black Film Festival, Independent Shorts Awards, and Micheaux Film Festival in addition to its acceptance and win at the Newark Independent Film Festival.

“Return to Hockessin #107C” looks at the complicated history of desegregation in Delaware, as Brown v. Board of Education may never have changed American society without a one-room schoolhouse in Hockessin. Former students of Hockessin Colored School No. 107C share their stories after their school was closed and the backlash they faced from their neighbors, black and white. With the historic building abandoned for decades and in disrepair, local officials step in to preserve a piece of history and give former students a chance to return to their former school once more.

Governor Meyer credits the nominations to the hard work of current and former New Castle County staff, including Vanessa Phillips, Kyle Grantham, Yvonne Anders Gordon, Aundrea Almond, CJ Bell, and Brian Cunningham, as well as 1440 crew Mike Pfeifer, Avinash Chellapoo, Kyra Knox, Hector Tapia, and Bowstring crew Mark Lynch, Alexander Newman, and Matt Sullivan, all of whom helped bring these powerful stories to life.

You can watch “Restless Ground: The Untold Story of Mt. Olive” HERE.

You can watch “Return to Hockessin No. 107C”HERE.

For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.

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