Stockton on my mind (2020)

Available on HBO and HBO Max

Synopsis

STOCKTON ON MY MIND follows millennial Mayor Michael Tubbs’ personal and political journey, and explores how growing up amid poverty and violence in Stockton, California shaped his vision for change. 

 At 26 years old and on the same day Donald Trump was elected in 2016, he became the youngest mayor of a major American city and set out to lead his beleaguered hometown in a different direction.  Stockton was ground zero for the subprime mortgage meltdown in 2008 and then became the first major U.S. city to declare bankruptcy.  Now as Stockton’s first African-American mayor, Tubbs is launching some of the boldest policy experiments in the country to lift up his city of 300,000 residents.

 Born to a teenage mother and his father in prison, Tubbs felt his destiny was “set up” for either prison or death.  Challenging expectations, he got a scholarship to Stanford and returned home to Stockton to “UPSET THE SETUP.”

 This HBO documentary includes the exclusive first interview with Michael’s father, Michael Tubbs Sr., who is still in prison.  It also captures the beginning of the first municipal Basic Income experiment by a city in the United States. 

 In both films, director Marc Levin casts a light on two of the many communities across the nation that are progressing forward in this troubling political landscape.  While the mainstream is increasingly focused on vitriolic headlines covering Washington, D.C. and the 2020 campaign, STOCKTON ON MY MIND and I PROMISE provide much needed stories of compelling drama and real hope.

Available on HBO and HBO Max

Awards

Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Public Affairs Documentary 2020