TAMPA, Fla. — A new documentary — titled “Triumph, Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement” — is sharing the story of Tampa’s role in the civil rights movement.

What You Need To Know

A new WEDU PBS documentary, “Triumph, Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement,” shares the story of a group of Tampa students who took part in a peaceful sit-in to desegregate the lunch counters at F.W. Woolworth’s Company in Tampa in 1960

WEDU PBS President and CEO Paul Grove said the goal of the hour-long documentary is to preserve the history so it can be accessible to students, families and future generations

A community screening will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church in Tampa. Those attending are encouraged to register at wedu.org

The documentary premieres on WEDU PBS on Thursday at 9 p.m. It is also available online at Triumph: Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement

“It’s time for people to know and understand the history of this community and what Tampa did back in 1960 to take a stand against racism and discrimination,” said former state Sen. Arthenia Joyner.

At 17 years old, Joyner was one of 40 students who participated in a peaceful sit-in to desegregate the lunch counter at the former F.W. Woolworths in downtown Tampa. The group was led by NAACP Youth Council President Clarence Fort.

“We can buy anything in the store that we want, but we can’t sit at the counter,” Joyner said. “I remember all of it vividly.”

The non-violent sit-ins at the downtown lunch counter sparked change — and it eventually led to desegregation of places across the city. There were protests in communities across the country, but Joyner said the demonstration in Tampa was different.

“I really do believe that Tampa was the one and only place where the police protected the protesters in a non-violent protest,” Joyner said.

In March, their actions were depicted in a local stage play, “When the Righteous Triumph,” by Tampa playwright Mark E. Leib.

After the play, money was raised to film a documentary, which cost $300,000 to produce. The money came through corporate and private donations. Joyner was one of several sit-in participants who was interviewed for the documentary.

“There were so many stories that were shared with us of what life was like for people of color in 1960 during segregation,” said WEDU PBS Director Danny Bruno. “The biggest challenge was how do we fit all these important stories into this one hour.”

WEDU PBS President and CEO Paul Grove said the goal of the hour-long documentary is to preserve the history so it can be accessible to students, families and future generations.

“I think it’s important for this message to be shared because the kids that are coming down the line — the next generation — they need to know about the folks who made it all possible to move forward in a peaceful way,” Grove said.

A community screening will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church in Tampa. Those attending are encouraged to register ahead of the showing.

The documentary premieres on WEDU PBS on Thursday at 9 p.m. It is also available online at Triumph: Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement.