June 27, 2025 • 9 mins
I’m joined by Robin Williams Sr., CEO of Ronaj Movie Productions, and Karen Moore, Administrative Executive. We’re talking about their powerful new documentary, "The Legendary Marion Williams"—a heartfelt tribute to one of gospel music’s greatest voices. This film is more than just a biography—it’s a musical and cinematic journey that honors a legacy. From its world premiere at Pavilion Afrique during the Cannes Film Festival to its current success streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Pluto TV, the film is reaching audiences around the globe. We’ll also discuss the power of multimedia storytelling in preserving Black cultural legacies, and highlight upcoming events in Philadelphia where their work will be showcased.
Stay connected with them at ronajmovieproductions.com
Follow on social media:
📸 Instagram: @thepoetiksol
📘 Facebook: Robin Williams Sr.
💼 LinkedIn: Robin Williams Sr. on LinkedIn
Stay connected with them at ronajmovieproductions.com
Follow on social media:
📸 Instagram: @thepoetiksol
📘 Facebook: Robin Williams Sr.
💼 LinkedIn: Robin Williams Sr. on LinkedIn
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine ballat Morrow. When you get that
notice in the mail that you've been selected for jury duty,
some of you may react with annoyance or try to
figure out a way to get out of it. We're
going to talk to a couple of civic leaders who
are trying to change that mindset. Returning citizens often face
(00:21):
many financial challenges. We'll tell you about the Fountain Fund
Philadelphia that's helping formally incarcerated with a financial lifeline that
can help restore dignity, rebuild credit, and open the door
for opportunity. We're also delighted to celebrate children's author and
poet Carol Boston Weatherford, who's being honored at the twenty
twenty five American Library Association Conference here in Philadelphia. We'll
(00:45):
also tell you about a skating party designed to connect
the community with law enforcement. But first, but let me
tell you what's happening to me.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm heavy, I'm heaving much.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
I'm joined by Robin Williams, Senor CEO of Ronaje Movie
Productions and Karen Moore, Administrative Executive. We're going to be
talking about their powerful new documentary, The Legendary Marion Williams,
a heartfelt tribute to one of gospel music's greatest voices.
The film is more than just a biography, It's a
musical and cinematic journey that honors a legacy. From its
(01:23):
world premiere at Pavilion EFREK during the can Film Festival
to its current success streaming on Amazon, to b and
Pluto TV, the film is reaching audiences around the globe.
We'll also talk about the power of multi media storytelling
in preserving black cultural legacies and highlight upcoming events in
Philadelphia where their work will be showcased, cased, showcased. Well,
(01:47):
I'm very delighted to be joined by Robin and Karen. Robin,
I'm gonna start with you. Let's start with your inspiration.
What motivated you to create the documentary about your mom,
Marian Williams, and why did you feel now was the
right time to share her story?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Sure, one thing as an only child, you know my
mother was she was with the famous Ward Singers and
she was part of that and her journey from being
with them and then going to leaving them and then
going to make her own group, the Stars of Faith
(02:27):
here in Philadelphia. And then finally once they they were
to faced black group to do the the Langston Hughes
Black Nativity. It traveled all over the world, and so
I just wanted people to know how special. Then she
went on her own career and travel all again all
over the world, and she was the first Black gospel
(02:52):
artists female gospel artist to get the Kennedy Award Center Honors,
and then she got the MacArthur Foundation Genius Award. So
I just wanted to, like I said, as an only child,
you want you're so proud of your mother. You just
want to be able to and let people know, especially
here in Philadelphia. One of her things once she got
the Walk of Fame in Philadelphia, you know, she just
(03:14):
wanted her the Philadelphia people to recognize who she was.
And then once she got there, she felt like she
was you know, so I'm trying to carry it on.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
That's yeah, that's a wonderful thing. Karen. What was the
emotional and creative journey like in bringing this film to life?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
It was really a great journey to do that. It
was it was very emotional, I think for my husband
because you know, he got to see his mother again.
Singing and doing all of those things and sharing back
again into that whole idea of who she was. And
so it was quite an emotional journey, and we were
blessed to be with an amazing filmmaker, Ambermnet, to help
(03:55):
put the whole thing together from her beginnings with the
Word Singers and onto her solo career. So it was
a very emotional journey, and many things I didn't know
about her, even though I knew who she was, But
it was great to be able to just experience what
she did and everything she accomplished all over again here and.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Now, Robin, the film premiered at Pavilion e Frik during
the can Film Festival and it's now streaming all across
the world. What did those milestones mean to you both?
And how has the response been from viewers in the
gospel community.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
I get people that knew her because, you know, being
back in more of the history, you know, a lot
of the younger people, of course, do not know who
she was. But the ones that were there and knew
the award things and then followed her, especially overseas. Since
I've done the documentary, you know, I've gotten a good response.
(04:56):
Of course, you know, we're looking to be able to
maybe do a mini series or maybe do a movie
if somebody picks it up. But in the meanwhile, you know,
we're doing as much as we can. I'm proud to
say that we're you know, we're going to be doing
the screening at the National Library here, Free Library, Yeah,
(05:19):
in Philadelphia. So that's just one aspect. And we just
had her inducted into the Nashville Black American Museum there,
so I'm excited. I'm just I'm happy about that.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I have a follow up question the legendary Mary and
Williams Blend's documentary storytelling with musical performance. What creative choices
did you make to ensure that all this honored her
spirit and sound. Wow, that was a challenge.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Okay, that was a challenge because much of the footage
we would have to pay enormous amounts of money to
be able to put all of that full I'll get
the right film, yes, pay for the rights and the
licensing and all that. So that was a challenge. But
we did have pictures, and we did have music that
(06:09):
she wrote, and that we were able to be able
to use the music that she wrote to be able
to put that whole experience in the film.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
But it was quite a challenge, no doubt, no doubt.
Now you have several exciting events coming up or have
come up, and I wonder if you can tell us
anything that's coming up that we can look forward to.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Oh sure, of course. Again, this September to six at
the Free Library, we'll be doing a screening on my mother.
We're going to have a platform for discussion, and you're
going to hear more about it as we get closer.
I'll be able to my first time I got I
(06:52):
have a book out and I will be sharing my book.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And give you and what's the name of your book?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
The Son of I think it's the Sun Faith.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Okay, we forget we're so mined.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, I think it's sub a faith. But other than that,
my wife pushed me so much to do this because
I didn't think nobody would be, you know, interested, But anyway,
I did. It's my first book. So and then my
wife just had a she'll tell you she had an
event and she's got something else coming up.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I did a film Blue Is Worn a Fire. I'm
a filmmaker about Nina Simones for women that I was
with Black City music. Unfortunately the event had to be
postponed for Juneteenth, but so I do have that film
out and then September third, seventh, and ninth, I'm going
to be part of the Cannonball Festival and doing kindled
by Nina Stage and multimedia. It's going to be film
(07:45):
and stage, so it'll be a multi media presentation again
of Nina Simones for women.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, that's that sounds very exciting. So where can people
go to watch the film, learn more and stay connected
with grenaj Movie Productions, your future project and of course
the movie that we've been talking about, which is of
course celebrating Marion Williams.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Yes, Amazon Prime, Poluttle TV, Ruku TV, We've we got
now we just signed a contract that's for overseas COPA
plus and so that's going to be streaming there. You
can find us on Facebook right now ro Naje Movie Productions,
or you can go to my personal page Robin Williams
(08:27):
Senior on Facebook where you can go to our website
ron Movie Production dot Com. Also have a personal page
with my mother, the legendary Mary Williams of course with
the film, so you can see that on a Facebook too.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Fantastic well. Robin Williams, Senior CEO for Nage Movie Productions
Karen Moore, Administrative Executive, talking about their powerful new documentary,
The Legendary Marion Williams, a heartfelt tribute to one of
gospel music's greatest voices. Thank you both, Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Was the pleasure. Her story was a great instance of
good news and bad times, finally getting the recognition that
she deserved and then dying within a year.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine ballat Morrow. When you get that
notice in the mail that you've been selected for jury duty,
some of you may react with annoyance or try to
figure out a way to get out of it. We're
going to talk to a couple of civic leaders who
are trying to change that mindset. Returning citizens often face
(00:21):
many financial challenges. We'll tell you about the Fountain Fund
Philadelphia that's helping formally incarcerated with a financial lifeline that
can help restore dignity, rebuild credit, and open the door
for opportunity. We're also delighted to celebrate children's author and
poet Carol Boston Weatherford, who's being honored at the twenty
twenty five American Library Association Conference here in Philadelphia. We'll
(00:45):
also tell you about a skating party designed to connect
the community with law enforcement. But first, but let me
tell you what's happening to me.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm heavy, I'm heaving much.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
I'm joined by Robin Williams, Senor CEO of Ronaje Movie
Productions and Karen Moore, Administrative Executive. We're going to be
talking about their powerful new documentary, The Legendary Marion Williams,
a heartfelt tribute to one of gospel music's greatest voices.
The film is more than just a biography, It's a
musical and cinematic journey that honors a legacy. From its
(01:23):
world premiere at Pavilion EFREK during the can Film Festival
to its current success streaming on Amazon, to b and
Pluto TV, the film is reaching audiences around the globe.
We'll also talk about the power of multi media storytelling
in preserving black cultural legacies and highlight upcoming events in
Philadelphia where their work will be showcased, cased, showcased. Well,
(01:47):
I'm very delighted to be joined by Robin and Karen. Robin,
I'm gonna start with you. Let's start with your inspiration.
What motivated you to create the documentary about your mom,
Marian Williams, and why did you feel now was the
right time to share her story?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Sure, one thing as an only child, you know my
mother was she was with the famous Ward Singers and
she was part of that and her journey from being
with them and then going to leaving them and then
going to make her own group, the Stars of Faith
(02:27):
here in Philadelphia. And then finally once they they were
to faced black group to do the the Langston Hughes
Black Nativity. It traveled all over the world, and so
I just wanted people to know how special. Then she
went on her own career and travel all again all
over the world, and she was the first Black gospel
(02:52):
artists female gospel artist to get the Kennedy Award Center Honors,
and then she got the MacArthur Foundation Genius Award. So
I just wanted to, like I said, as an only child,
you want you're so proud of your mother. You just
want to be able to and let people know, especially
here in Philadelphia. One of her things once she got
the Walk of Fame in Philadelphia, you know, she just
(03:14):
wanted her the Philadelphia people to recognize who she was.
And then once she got there, she felt like she
was you know, so I'm trying to carry it on.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
That's yeah, that's a wonderful thing. Karen. What was the
emotional and creative journey like in bringing this film to life?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
It was really a great journey to do that. It
was it was very emotional, I think for my husband
because you know, he got to see his mother again.
Singing and doing all of those things and sharing back
again into that whole idea of who she was. And
so it was quite an emotional journey, and we were
blessed to be with an amazing filmmaker, Ambermnet, to help
(03:55):
put the whole thing together from her beginnings with the
Word Singers and onto her solo career. So it was
a very emotional journey, and many things I didn't know
about her, even though I knew who she was, But
it was great to be able to just experience what
she did and everything she accomplished all over again here and.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
Now, Robin, the film premiered at Pavilion e Frik during
the can Film Festival and it's now streaming all across
the world. What did those milestones mean to you both?
And how has the response been from viewers in the
gospel community.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
I get people that knew her because, you know, being
back in more of the history, you know, a lot
of the younger people, of course, do not know who
she was. But the ones that were there and knew
the award things and then followed her, especially overseas. Since
I've done the documentary, you know, I've gotten a good response.
(04:56):
Of course, you know, we're looking to be able to
maybe do a mini series or maybe do a movie
if somebody picks it up. But in the meanwhile, you know,
we're doing as much as we can. I'm proud to
say that we're you know, we're going to be doing
the screening at the National Library here, Free Library, Yeah,
(05:19):
in Philadelphia. So that's just one aspect. And we just
had her inducted into the Nashville Black American Museum there,
so I'm excited. I'm just I'm happy about that.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I have a follow up question the legendary Mary and
Williams Blend's documentary storytelling with musical performance. What creative choices
did you make to ensure that all this honored her
spirit and sound. Wow, that was a challenge.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Okay, that was a challenge because much of the footage
we would have to pay enormous amounts of money to
be able to put all of that full I'll get
the right film, yes, pay for the rights and the
licensing and all that. So that was a challenge. But
we did have pictures, and we did have music that
(06:09):
she wrote, and that we were able to be able
to use the music that she wrote to be able
to put that whole experience in the film.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
But it was quite a challenge, no doubt, no doubt.
Now you have several exciting events coming up or have
come up, and I wonder if you can tell us
anything that's coming up that we can look forward to.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Oh sure, of course. Again, this September to six at
the Free Library, we'll be doing a screening on my mother.
We're going to have a platform for discussion, and you're
going to hear more about it as we get closer.
I'll be able to my first time I got I
(06:52):
have a book out and I will be sharing my book.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
And give you and what's the name of your book?
Speaker 3 (06:59):
The Son of I think it's the Sun Faith.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Okay, we forget we're so mined.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
Yeah, I think it's sub a faith. But other than that,
my wife pushed me so much to do this because
I didn't think nobody would be, you know, interested, But anyway,
I did. It's my first book. So and then my
wife just had a she'll tell you she had an
event and she's got something else coming up.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
I did a film Blue Is Worn a Fire. I'm
a filmmaker about Nina Simones for women that I was
with Black City music. Unfortunately the event had to be
postponed for Juneteenth, but so I do have that film
out and then September third, seventh, and ninth, I'm going
to be part of the Cannonball Festival and doing kindled
by Nina Stage and multimedia. It's going to be film
(07:45):
and stage, so it'll be a multi media presentation again
of Nina Simones for women.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Yeah, that's that sounds very exciting. So where can people
go to watch the film, learn more and stay connected
with grenaj Movie Productions, your future project and of course
the movie that we've been talking about, which is of
course celebrating Marion Williams.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Yes, Amazon Prime, Poluttle TV, Ruku TV, We've we got
now we just signed a contract that's for overseas COPA
plus and so that's going to be streaming there. You
can find us on Facebook right now ro Naje Movie Productions,
or you can go to my personal page Robin Williams
(08:27):
Senior on Facebook where you can go to our website
ron Movie Production dot Com. Also have a personal page
with my mother, the legendary Mary Williams of course with
the film, so you can see that on a Facebook too.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Fantastic well. Robin Williams, Senior CEO for Nage Movie Productions
Karen Moore, Administrative Executive, talking about their powerful new documentary,
The Legendary Marion Williams, a heartfelt tribute to one of
gospel music's greatest voices. Thank you both, Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (09:01):
Was the pleasure. Her story was a great instance of
good news and bad times, finally getting the recognition that
she deserved and then dying within a year.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
We'll have more insight after these messages.
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