Ross Kershey
A retired championship coach and educator within the Coatesville School District, Mr. Kershey touched innumerable lives with his leadership. In his retirement years, Ross has presented his storied ‘History of Coatesville’ presentation to many organizations in and around the region.
Geri Allen + Pamela Depte
Ms Geri and Ms Pam were chosen for their roles as community matriarchs and early residents of the Oak Street Projects. In the face of hardship and economic struggle, they used ingenuity and creativity to lift up and inspire countless children in Coatesville.
Jon + Jennifer Kasitz
Visiting the Kasitz family at their West End home, it’s hard to remember they are, by Coatesville standards, ‘new comers’. Their lush gardens, hand-built outbuildings and sense of warmth invite an outsider to reimagine what’s possible in a city backyard. Their 3 children are thriving as students of Coatesville schools.
Ronjae Jones
As a filmmaking student at Morehouse, Ronjae was a member of one of the HBCU’s most notable classes, famously gifted student loan pay-off by billionaire Robert F. Smith. Now on his own path to a filmmaking career, Ronaje was a production assistant and provided archival sports footage for our film.
Aja + Avery Thompson
Twins who graduated from CASH in 2014, Aja and Avery have struck out to navigate their 20s as individuals. They have both launched entrepreneurial and creative side projects while working full time to subsidize their dreams. Twin stars, on the rise.
Thaddeus Tunney
“This project is bullish*t”….I’m paraphrasing, but these were Thadd’s first words to me, after finding our project on Facebook. He didn’t expect to hear from me or to land on camera, but his sobering take on city life was an important angle to include amid the positive. Transitioning out of homelessness brought his family of 4 back to the ‘Ville, and like many, affordable housing patterns in Chester County may some day push them out.
Lucius Jacks aka Flowz
Rapper and entrepreneur Lucius Jacks drops some of the most memorable advice in our film, encouraging young talent to go big, but bring it back to the small town. And that’s exactly what he’s doing: currently living and working in Atlanta, with frequent trips home to see his “Three Es”…twins and an older daughter, herself a small business owner.
Art Partners
We intended to highlight many organizations in the project, but as the narrative emerged, so did our focus on individuals. Art Partners stood out for having served so long in Coatesville, but needing to shutter for financial reasons, right before the Opportunity Zone brought big $ investment to the city. When people ask me how to help in Coatesville, I encourage that they look for those already doing the work, and support or amplify those folks from behind the scenes. We lost a great org when we lost Art Partners.
Pastor Montez Jones
As a child, Montez was part of the Oak Street family that Ms Pam and Ms Gerri led in putting on talent shows and runway expos. Legend has it he has a beautiful singing voice. As a pastor, he has founded and leads Judah Ministries, serves as Chaplain for the Coatesville Police Department, and currently works at Brandywine Hospital.
Allen Tyrone Smith
We chose Mr. Smith for our panel of storytellers because he deeply understands how financial interests and shifts in demographics are related. No enemy of progress, Mr. Smith sees a way for Coatesville’s redevelopment to side step the typical pitfalls of gentrification. Will his message be heard by those with the power to influence the Coatesville of tomorrow? Time will tell.
Aadil Malik
Aadil is the author of our eponymous poem, BYPASSED, which serves as our theme song/anthem. A spoken word poet who lived in Coatesville and attended Collegium Charter School, Aadil is recently married and lives in Delaware.
Jonathan Rodriguez
Once active in Coatesville grassroots efforts to create the Hispanic Commission of Coatesville, Jonathan has stepped back and is focused on investment education along with his wife, Marilyn.
P R O D U C T I O N T E A M & C O N T R I B U T O R S
DIRECTOR
Sarah Alderman
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Ryan J. Beacher
ASSISTANT PRODUCERS
Sean Bramley
CJ Witherspoon
STARRING (in order of appearance):
Montez Jones
Avery Thompson
Ross Kershey
Pamela Depte
Geri Allen
Thaddeus Tunney
Jennifer Kasitz
Jon Kasitz
Jim Bricker
Tony Buck
Jonathan Rodriguez
Allen Tyrone Smith
Lucius Jacks
Ronjae Jones
Lindsay Brinton
Teresa Salinas
Coatesville Diamond Divas
Aja Thompson
LEAD EDITOR
Ryan J. Beacher
ASSISTANT EDITOR
CJ Witherspoon
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Sean Bramley
CONTRIBUTING POETS
Aadil Malik, ‘BYPASSED’
Aja Thompson, ‘I REMEMBER’ (bypasseddoc.com exclusive)
COMMUNITY CHANGE PARTNER
Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH)
MANY THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR PROVIDING FILMING LOCATIONS:
Coatesville Area Senior High School Coatesville Public Library Little Chef
Sisters Market Coatesville Flower Shop “MoGreena”, Waste Oil Recyclers
The Kasitz Family Geri Allen + Family Fuel City
SUPPORTERS:
This project was made possible in part thanks to an Art and Change Grant from the Leeway Foundation, which was used to create our crowdfunding trailer.
$2500+
Shawn and Meredith Jacks
In loving memory of Benny and Shirley Jacks
$1000+
Kim Wardell, Design Life Kids
Gunny Scarfo, Nonfiction Research
Jim Bricker, Waste Oil Recyclers
Brent Balla, Balla Designs
Frances Sheehan, Brandywine Health Foundation
Tammy Miller
$500+
Susan Puglisi Kennedy David Crutchfield Amanda Hershey
$200+
Arden Hunt Brian Cappelli Nicole Kardine Jennifer Chance Terri Puglisi Friedman
Lauren Francis Olivia Aspite Lauren Magee Nicole Kardine
George Chacko Melissa Wilson Dan Wilson Mike & Kristen Filoromo
Ro. Finn Tina A. Brown Ciaran Lyons
Bob Rigg Amy Barnes Johanna Halsmith-Weisser Jeff Perdick
$100+
Laura Alarcon
Matthew Lyons
Nancy Wood
Robert Crane
Darlene McCormack
Lori Taylor
Michele Fowler
Kirby Smith
Ali Bauder
Claire Murray
Kevin, Michelle & Justin Hughes
Kathleen Sullivan
Sean Bramley
Anita Robbins
Sandra Burns
Bob & Erin Beggs
Maria Bertoncini
Melanie Crescenz
Courtney Reimer
Stephanie Farrelly
Curt A Martinez
Nate Conlin
Sean and Summer Arowjo
Gregory Martini
Dr. Paul Stoller
Eliza Taylor
Dr. Patricia Donoghue
Regina Lewis
Jodi Birch
Pamela Lemke
Margaret Harding Hollingsworth
Jim Breslin
Lauren Thomas Weinblatt
Alita Rovito
Jacolyn Abdala
Meghan Filoromo
Geoffrey & Elizabeth Rubino
Brooke Smith
Bob Walker
Lindsay J Brinton
Tom Alderman
Katie Cavuto
Jan Michener
Susan Manners
Kendall Quigley
Ellen, Conor, and Lennon Casey
Beth Leinberry
Kelly Giarrocco
dsbovell86
UNDER $100
Aaron Huey
Barbara Burman Preis
Benjamin Zeidler
cwanko
Ellen Endslow
Valerie Fischer
Emma and Jon Stapp
John Hutelmyer
Sara Blevins
Megan Braid
bitty31985
Joe and Valerie Crescenz
Christina Mersereau
Donna Urban
Chandal Taylor
Annawyn Laing
Wendy Bensman
Kate McManus
Johanna Farra
Melissa Watson
Jenny Ham Roberts
Sharra Mercer
Theresa Ferrari
Tara Dintino Jackson
Laura Carpenter
Emily Peterson
Meredith Minor
Lamar Brickus
makoleary
Ryann Clardy
Laura Liss
Peri Kaymak
Stephen Alete
Stevie Guenther
Justin Moore
Ellen Sturgis
Laura Neumann
Gwen Metz
Pat Bankes
Kadi Boore
Shirley Cohen
Darryl and Karen Arawjo
Denise Bentley
Meme Thornton
Karen E Nines
Jan Michener
Eliza Taylor
Cindy Brumbaugh
Angela Huberty
Sarah Sinton
Erika Haak
Charles O'Connor
Conor Clancy
Kristine Harris
Rita Jones
Matthew Baker
Melissa Schroth Doyle
Dawn Grieco
Justin Shipe
Kelly McCann
Beau McGettigan
Whitney Ballato
Russell Mann
Liza Cook Griggers
Matt Frederick
cowntess
Stephanie Terry
Amy Reif
jmeccalayman
Melissa Kucherich
Jennifer Stoltzfus
Abraham Koffenberger
Sarah Pistner
Arianna Estes
Alexandra March
Karen Nines
Ashley Ellixson
Bonnie Frederick
Annie Cappelli
Judith Taylor
Brendan Tracy
Anthony Wagner
Sean Bramley
Arslan Malik
Tracey Bunch
Greg Perry
Aimee Shute
mavericksprout
Brianne Murphy
Haeley Neff-Buckman
Ann Roth
R Fred Scheid
Mary E. Vaughn
Elizabeth Reilly
Salim Bootwala
Patrick Cornelius
Sarah Zero
Jeffrey Steen
The Ferguson Family
Cira James S. Raab
Jennifer Feaster Weghorst
Eric Witmer
Sara Blagg
Jon Hartshorne
Beth Sockman
Mollie McElroy
Tessa Orlyk
Dawn Barringer
Christopher Thornton
Kathleen Tshudy
Janna Moretti
Kate Brett
Robert Riggs
Kayleigh DiGiacomo
Annie osborn
Jordan Robbins
Maura Filoromo
bkempner
Jeffrey Kearney
a.kozinski
Margo Vautour
Stephanie Bradley
Jennifer Primanti
Laura DiFrancesco
Katelyn Belnome
Erika Snyder
Amanda Showalter
Liz Taylor
Ajene Livingston
Liz Kane
Rob Pina
Donna Kusnierczyk
Don Napier
Kelly Brennan
Benjamin Becker
Laura Rieben
Patricia Hudock
Maddie LeSage
Brianna Reid
Paul Trizonis
Sarah Schoener
Tracy and Cole Hankins
Elise Berlin
Nicole Moran
Shannon Bertoni
Shannon Zimmerman
Brian Robbins
Tara Segar
Brenda McNeil
Meredith L. Hankins
Emily Peterson
Terri Anderson
Carolyn Scott
Briana Brant
Patricia Boone
Ed McNulty
Robert T Haley
Karley Mallon
rebalv77
Zach Knezo
Kristen Price Blackshear
Caroline Pitocchelli
Jess Kripp
Malia Jones
Cassie Sterling
Naomi Manegold
Sarah McCay
Melanie Roberts
Erika Dougherty
Dr. Jessica Eby Garcia
Kate Curran
Michelle Terry
Ebony Roberts
Dianna Crystle
Jon Wright
Elizabeth Broadbent
Mike Bardzik
Diane Catrambone
Gill Francella
Colleen McAllister Trotter
Stacey Honer
Kelly Freeth
Lauren Simpson
Lacey Woodrow
zem.x.chance
Greta Hotmer
Kaya Gentile
Audrey Heinze
Steve Rettew
Kathy Weinberg
Lora Horst
Francine Norman
Rob Hart and Nina Zimdahl
Elizabeth Northeimer
Bea Bennett-Mills
Teresa Salinas
Jeffrey Steen
Sherry Deets
Mary Ivanoski
Stevie Guenther
meghan jackson
Joseph Malavolta
Eileen M Walsh
Gemma and Colette Filoromo
Cynthia Scarborough
Haley Eggen
Jeff Eggen
Angie Atchie
Kelly Urbine
Shelly Pelet
Laura Amen
Jesse and Lyryn Yacoe
Mark Andrechik
Stephanie Fallon
Jennifer Woltman
Rebecca Spotts
Jonathan Rodriguez
Jessica Reece
Rob Pina
Andrea Puskar
Teresa Marie Smith
Kerry Acker
Babar Malik
Amelia Hallenbeck
Jessica Jakatt
Michael Maxwell
Jackie Billek
Christian Sammartino
Jessicalynn burch
Ramsey Reiner
Danira artis
Michael Hartshorne
Heidi Taylor
Aimee DiObilda
Amy Gleason
Caitlin O'Brien
mskreenock
Angira Pickens
Mary Kate McGetrick
Melissa McMichael
CJ Witherspoon
Hannah Wikowski
Jenna Breznicky
missymaura
Laurie Kain Hart
Matthew Matell
Kendra Daniels
Jennifer Wood
Jeanann Genzano
Regina Munch
Justin Muir
Jena Christopher
Michelle Fiandra Lovejoy
Kathy Bigos
Joe Frisco
Katie Hadzor
Caitlin Maloney
Andrea Brannen
Colleen Moore
Jennifer Kasitz
Dale Weiser
Kathi Rendall
Caleb Fritz
Beth Brindle
Chasity S.
Michele Paiva
Kathryn Cardarelli
Dr. Valerian DeSousa
Allysa Bertoncini
Amy Musumeci
Elizabeth Baldwin
Wendy Clark
Caroline Stiefel
sproutgirl56
Christy Chipman
Hajar Mokhlis
Anne Newton Modestowicz
Danielle Cressman
Rita Mounayar
Krista L. Carpenter
Veronica Moody
Brooke Gilliford
Jeannette McCreary
Michele Fowler
Bonnie Frederick
Alexa Holmes
Jeremy Barnes
Tara Rolfe
Aadil Malik
Kristen Alfieri
Brendan Tracy
Kris Schaffer
Caroline Wilson
meghan harrison
Welcome Home Cleaning Company
Gabrielle Bullock
Jesse Piersol
Amanda Stewart
Jennifer Nettingham
medmonds1966
Kristina Bowman
Amber Whitter
Angela Minster
Lillian Mounayar
Mary Ledger
Christianna Potter Hannum
Sarah Bramley
Molly j
oracle410
scottyc22
Katherine Frank
Hannah Johnston
Carly Gebhard
Brenda Hadzor
Cathy Ranck Carr
Aaron Norton
Holly Hopkins
Sara Hook Getchell
Cory Steen
Adrianne Lake
Kelsey Bailey
Erin Simpson
Jen Kosiak
Steve Rettew
Mary Mack
Melody and Bill Montgomery
JacQuelyn Murray
Kelly Thomson
Katie Worst
Meredith L. Hankins
Kristin N
Asha Raab
Dawn Dennis
Judi Ebelhar
DEDICATED IN LOVING MEMORY OF THERESA CHILLE PUGLISI AND
DOROTHY CARTER