The Black 14: Healing Hearts and Feeding Souls

A documentary made by BYU journalism students is gaining traction for shedding light on the inspiring story of the University of Wyoming’s Black 14. The short film will premiere Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Wilkinson Student Centre Varsity Theatre. A special screening will also be held for the BYU athletics department.

Fourteen University of Wyoming football players were kicked off their team in October 1969 after they donned black armbands to protest The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ policy barring black men from holding the priesthood. 

More than 50 years later, the Black 14 has collaborated with the Church to donate more than 800,000 pounds of food to needy families. The group has reconciled with the University of Wyoming and with the Church, and their mission now is to not only to feed people but to educate and uplift them as well.

A team of BYU journalism students traveled to 11 states in 10 days this spring to visit with the Black 14 and tell their story.