Barb Lee ’88 to focus on diversity’s importance in education and filmmaking as school’s Barry Saunders Visiting Professional Oct. 4–8

UNC Hussman welcomes documentary film producer Barb Lee ’88 as our Barry Saunders Visiting Professional for the week of Oct. 4-8, 2021.

The Saunders Visiting Professional program was established in 2018 to enrich the diversity of perspectives for Hussman students by bringing top professionals in residence to the school.

Through lectures, class visits and gatherings, Lee will speak on topics related to her professional experience — including her various roles in documentary filmmaking, entrepreneurship in film distribution and her work as a consultant for equity and inclusion in organizations. 

A native North Carolinian, Lee is the founder and president of Point Made Films, a documentary film production company focused on telling stories about the many layers of American identity. She is also the founder and president of Point Made Learning, which creates and offers organizations anti-discrimination products and services based in storytelling.

“I am a perpetual student. I want to learn. I want to share. My education at the journalism school was fundamental to my critical thinking — the school taught me to ask ‘Says who? Who’s your source for that fact?’” Lee said, noting the importance of conversations about race in academia. “The work of our educational institutions happens inside the United States, and issues regarding race and identity are endemic in every aspect of American society.”

“Barb Lee has always shown immense dedication and generosity to our students,” said Susan King, dean of the school. “As a gifted storyteller, successful entrepreneur and leading alumna, she has the kind of talent, drive and commitment to which we want out students to aspire. Her week in residence infuses the school with professional insights and diverse perspectives that are so valuable to our students.”

Professor of the Practice Jules Dixon, who previously served as a Barry Saunders Visiting Professional, called her experience as a visiting professional enlightening.

"My experience as a Barry Saunders Visiting Professional simply changed my life, and my career trajectory, because of my interactions with celebrated Hussman faculty and our impressive students," Dixon said. “We orchestrated an amazing jam-packed week of lectures, interviews, thought leadership sessions and valuable faculty time. The most remarkable part of my residency was my small group mentoring sessions."

Lee is a former member of the school’s Board of Advisers, was named the 2015 recipient of the University’s Alumni Diversity Award and gave the school’s commencement address in 2015.

She was executive producer for the documentary “I'm Not Racist… Am I?” — which looks at how future generations will confront racism. She also directed and produced “Adopted,” a documentary that explores the many complications of interracial adoption.

"Barb Lee completely reframed the way I see storytelling and more importantly the impacts of documentary storytelling. She pushes you to see beyond yourself, to hone in on what really matters, to challenge structures and to create work that can catalyze change," said Associate Professor Chad Heartwood, who teaches courses in photojournalism, documentary storytelling and entrepreneurship. "In this time, in which documentary journalism is pushing boundaries of audience engagement and social impact, I can't imagine anyone better for our students to learn from."