Official Trailer

About the Film

R.A.W. Tuba is is the second installment of an inspirational series produced by Early Light Media (ELM) entitled Invisible Thread. The first episode, Throw, was seen by millions around the world. The series is independent and self-funded and if you would like to support the artists behind the series, you can donate here.  

​

We believe in Richard and the power of positivity that so many other “Richard Whites” in Baltimore desperately need to hear. Richard’s story speaks to the underdog in all of us and serves as an important reminder of the necessity of the arts in education. 

“The only thing that will stop me from being successful is death.” ~ R.A.W.

The Series

R.A.W. TUBA is a documentary about a Baltimore child who experienced intermittent homelessness but went on to become a world-class symphony musician and professor. As a child, Richard Antoine White (R.A.W.) slept wherever he could, sometimes in abandoned rowhomes where he was chewed on by rats during his sleep. Now in his 40s, he still has those scars across his abdomen. But despite enormous challenges, he went on to become the first African American in the world to receive a Doctorate in Music for Tuba Performance (D.M. not to be confused with the less rare D.M.A.), and not just from anywhere, from one of the most prestigious music programs in the US. Richard is now not only a tenured professor at the University of New Mexico, but he’s also the principal tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic, which is in and of itself an Olympian-level accomplishment.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thank you so much for sponsoring our documentary series! We're excited to be working with all our sponsors and look forward to a long partnership with the company.

Our project is called RAW Film and it's a series of short films about the people who make up the film industry: directors, actors, editors, and everyone in between. We're thrilled to have your support because it means we can continue producing quality content that highlights the diversity of voices within our industry.

So, let’s meet our friendly sponsors:

NGO - Working Films

Working Films uses documentaries to advance social justice and environmental protection. Recognizing the power of film to inspire, they position documentaries to increase civic engagement and shift the culture at the local, state, and national levels. They offer funding and in-kind support to underrepresented filmmakers. And, they share their learning and foster dialogue to further the field of documentary for change. They lead conversations and pieces of training with grassroots groups and nonprofits to ensure that nonfiction media is increasingly embraced as a critical resource in their strategies for social change.

The Manifest

The mission of Manifest is to gather and verify the hard data, expert insights, and actionable advice that you need to build your brand and grow businesses – to provide the practical business wisdom that manifests in our success.

Binary Pulse Studios

They are dedicated to crafting compelling videos and films to help achieve businesses’ goals. In Binary Pulse Studios, the team of strategists, creatives, and technicians produce videos that help our clients generate leads, train their teams, onboard customers, reduce support costs and sell more products. The Director, DP, scriptwriters, and storyboard artists are full-time employees, and they have daily, in-person huddles to ensure your project is always moving forward.

GreyStone

Greystone Company is a real estate financing and advisory firm. Ther are a team of experts who work together to find and secure the right loan for businesses. They know that every situation is different, so we work with you to figure out what's best for you. Their goal is to make sure your financing process is as smooth as possible and that you get the best deal on the market.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. is a global professional services company operating in insurance brokerage, risk management, reinsurance services, talent management, investment advisory, and management consulting. Tracing its origins to 1905 and headquartered in New York City, Marsh & McLennan operates in insurance through its subsidiaries, Marsh, Guy Carpenter, and Jardine Lloyd Thompson, and in consulting with Mercer and Oliver Wyman Group.

Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, often referred to as ICE, is a financial and commodity market operator. It owns financial and commodity markets exchanges and operates 12 regulated exchanges and marketplaces, including the New York Stock Exchange, futures exchanges in the United States, Canada, and Europe, equity options exchanges, and over-the-counter instruments markets. ICE also owns and operates 6 central clearing houses in the US, Europe, and Asia.

Omnicom Group Inc. 

Omnicom Group Inc. is an American global media, marketing, and corporate communications holding company, headquartered in New York City. Omnicom's branded networks and specialty firms provide services in four disciplines: advertising, customer relationship management (CRM), public relations, and specialty services. The services included in these disciplines are media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, sports and events marketing, field marketing, and brand consultancy.

Quanta Services 

Quanta Services is an American corporation that provides infrastructure services for the electric power, pipeline, industrial, and communications industries. Capabilities include the planning, design, installation, program management, maintenance, and repair of most types of network infrastructure.

Ubiquiti Inc.

Ubiquiti Inc. (formerly Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.) is an American technology company founded in San Jose, California, in 2003. Now based in New York City, Ubiquiti manufactures and sells wireless data communication and wired products for enterprises and homes under multiple brand names. On October 13, 2011, Ubiquiti had its initial public offering (IPO) at 7.04 million shares, at $15 per share, raising $30.5 million.