Thank you!
with your support the Monuments Honoring african american pioneers have been built!
Attend the monument dedication or watch the livestream July 22, 2022 · 10:00am | This Is The Place Heritage Park
SEE THE FILM TO LEARN THE STORY BEHIND THE MAN—AND THE MONUMENT
HIS NAME IS GREEN FLAKE
Inspired by the true story of a pioneer hero.
His Name Is Green Flake is inspired by the true story of enslaved pioneer and Latter-day Saint Green Flake. His courageous cross-country journey to prepare the way for the Saints was integral to the “Mormon Migration” and the settlement of Utah.
His Name Is Green Flake has been awarded Best Film in 10 different festivals, including the Venice Film Awards, the London Independent Film Awards, and most recently, the LA Film Awards.
Witness a beautiful story full of faith, family, and freedom in the award-winning film His Name Is Green Flake.
By raising awareness of Green Flake and other important contributors to this sacred history, we can come together to celebrate those forgotten heroes.
WHY A MONUMENT?
Monuments help us remember our history and inspire us to build a better future. Though the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the value and worth of all of God’s children, there is currently a lack of visual representation of African American members who have dedicated their lives and hearts to building up Zion.
Establishing a permanent monument that represents the African American contribution to the Church and to the early Utah Territory will give the entire community a deeper feeling of unity and give the African American community a greater sense of belonging and inclusion.
A monument becomes a gathering place.
Building a monument on beautiful grounds in Utah where visitors can reflect, learn, and heal will demonstrate that this truly is a place for all.
Green Flake MONUMENT
Benefit Concert - Recorded May 15, 2021
Green Flake was an enslaved pioneer and Latter-day Saint who courageously prepared the way for the Saints to enter the Salt Lake Valley. It’s time for his story to be told and his legacy to be honored.
You can help create a monument for Green Flake and all of the previously unrecognized African American Saints who made foundational contributions to the early Church.
Proceeds from the free Green Flake Monument Benefit Concert and the Virtual Watch Parties will go toward the making of this groundbreaking film and the building of this historical monument.
Watch the Green Flake Monument Benefit Concert
Featuring The Bonner Family, The Piano Guys, Michael McLean, Alex Boyé, and more.
We cannot change the past, but we can change the way we celebrate all Who came before us.
“today, i call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice. I plead with you to promote respect for all of god’s children.”
—president russell m. nelson
“Let God Prevail,” October 2020
WHO IS GREEN FLAKE?
In 1846, Green Flake, as an enslaved person, was sent to serve The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The teenage boy was assigned to the advanced pioneer group tasked with forging a trail over 1,000 miles long through the harshest conditions imaginable. This trail would eventually lead over 70,000 men, women, and children across the Western frontier, the largest pioneer migration in American history.
By the time the leader of the Church, Brigham Young, had arrived to the Salt Lake Valley, the crops Green had planted were in bloom and he had already begun the construction of a cabin for his enslavers. After being torn from his own family, Green Flake found a sense of freedom with Martha, a young woman enslaved by a Southern Latter-day Saint family who also came West. Green and Martha started their own family, and he would live the rest of his years as one of the most revered heroes of his time.
The DRIVE to telL GReen’s story
After participating in the “Be One” celebration in June 2018, Mauli Junior Bonner was inspired.
When he first learned of Green Flake’s story, Mauli felt compelled to learn more about the African American pioneers who were instrumental in the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What began with writing a few songs to honor those Saints turned into a screenplay, which in turn became the film His Name Is Green Flake. Now, with your help, the culmination of those efforts will be seen in building a permanent monument to honor the early African American Saints.
BENEFIT CONCERT FEATURED ARTISTS
The Bonner Family
Michael McLean
Prince Ivan
The Piano Guys
Bri Stauss
Joseph Moore
Ashley Hess
Bri Ray
Garon Brett
Alex Boyé
Dallyn Bayles
The Tonga Sisters
Jenn Blosil
Aaliyah Rose
Amy Whitcomb
Casey Elliott
Abraham Thomas