Imani Cheers’ Documentary Explores Love, Legacy and Loss

August 5, 2024

Authored by:

Brook Endale

Imani M. Cheers, an associate professor at the George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, strongly believes in preserving cultural connections, even across oceans. Since her son, Isaiah, was 3 years old, she's regularly taken him to visit South Africa to ensure he had ties to his paternal homeland.

"Those connections are not based on you physically being somewhere," Cheers said. "And I think it is really important that he learns about his cultural traditions and customs."

She captured the latest trip they made to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in her documentary titled, "UMAMA" which was recently screened at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans.

"It's about a young boy's journey and how he's learning and trying to figure out a number of aspects about his culture and heritage," Cheers said. "He is half South African, so I wanted to give him an opportunity to explore more about his Zulu cultural roots."

As they began planning for their trip, tragically, on Oct. 25, 2022, Cheers' mother, Darline M. Cheers, passed away at the age of 72.

The trauma of losing their family matriarch shifted the narrative of the film as they set out to learn more about her life and honor her legacy. Cheers decided to name the film, "UMAMA" which is the Zulu word for mother.

"There is nothing that prepares you for grief," Cheers said. "There's no loss like losing your mom. I think for me, it was incredibly therapeutic to be able to put my energy into getting to learn more about her life's story."

As Cheers dug deep into the life of her mother for the documentary, she was able to see her mom through a new lens. She saw who her mom was before getting married, having kids, grandkids or suffering from illness.

"My mother had lupus and chronic lung disease for 30 years," Cheers said. "When she got sick, I was young, I was 11. So, getting to learn about her life before that was fun. It was definitely bittersweet. But it was really fun to be able to see her in a new light."

Isaiah, now 10 years old, said the three weeks he spent in South Africa meant a lot to him.

"My favorite part was the time we took my grandmother's ashes to Table Mountain in Cape Town," Isaiah said. "I like how my grandma can be free now."

As the film follows Cheers and her son through their journey of grief and discovery, it asks poignant questions about the meaning behind a legacy and how to find gratitude in the lessons left behind by your loved ones.

"I want the audience to walk away with an understanding about how we can honor not only our culture and our heritage, but our loved ones, and in particular, our loved ones who have passed," Cheers said.

The film was screened for the first time in January, on the night of her 44th birthday, at the Jack Morton Auditorium at SMPA. Cheers said it filled her heart to be surrounded by friends, family and colleagues as she revealed her mom's story.

"UMAMA" was then selected to be played at the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture, which Cheers described as a full-circle moment.

"My mom was a longtime subscriber and reader of Essence magazine," Cheers said. "So, to have this film that centers my mother and honors her life premiere at the film festival, and a legacy institution like Essence that supports, highlights and uplifts Black women, it's just really beautiful."

In creating "UMAMA," Cheers offered a deep exploration of love and legacy, connecting her personal grief with a wider cultural narrative by highlighting the enduring impact of matriarchs in our lives, a message she believes many can connect with.