Documentary to highlight life of Ike Maxwell, other Black Elyrians

ELYRIA — A documentary taking a look at the life and legacy of Ike Maxwell is being filmed by a fourth-generation Elyrian. Tara Conley, a professor at Montclair State University and an Elyria native, embarked on a film project that highlights the life of Maxwell and other Black Elyrians in history. Conley is the founder of an organization called Media Make Change. Maxwell was a tailback for the Elyria High School football team in the 1970s. He broke multiple records during his time there, and helped the school to an undefeated 1971 season. He was named All-Ohio and All-America, and awarded the Golden Helmet in Lorain County — an award that recognizes the county's top senior. Conley has felt personally tied to the story of Maxwell for years, and said the two families grew up close together on the west side of Elyria. Maxwell was featured as part of a New York Times series on Elyria in 2012. Reading that story, Conley said she and many others felt like it distorted Maxwell's legacy. The story outlined Maxwell's athletic achievements, but also some of the trials he faced. His younger brother, Daryl Maxwell, was shot and killed by police in 1975, inciting protests and riots in Elyria for several days. Several years later, Ike Maxwell was beaten outside a bar with a baseball bat, sustaining head wounds. Five months later, he was shot and seriously wounded. The New York Times story described Maxwell shouting between buildings as he walked through Elyria. Conley said the piece didn't show how the community can be held accountable to help Maxwell. She said it also didn't show Maxwell's humanity. For the documentary, Conley said she wanted to do something different. She and her film crew interviewed Maxwell and his sister who cares for him. She said they wanted to center his voice and his family's voice. Maxwell's story is similar to many others in America, Conley said. It's a story about race in the United States. "There's something that will resonate," Conley said. "It might remind people of their family, their favorite athlete, their community. When I make something, the point is not to extract from the community, but raise awareness and bring advocacy back into the community." Conley said she wants the documentary to support Maxwell's legacy and help get him into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. Although Maxwell has been nominated for induction, he hasn't yet been selected as an individual, however the 1971 Elyria High School football team which Maxwell played for was inducted in 2011. But she also wants it to help support the family and celebrate Maxwell while he's still here. Maxwell can still be spotted making his morning runs to McDonald's and walking around downtown Elyria. Conley said she feels people are curious about Maxwell's story and that they want to celebrate him. She wants to use her medium as a way to spark some change, and she said she thinks some Elyria residents are ready to have the conversation about race in the city. There's been a recent push by community members to get Maxwell's jersey retired. Ike Maxwell Day is Aug. 28, and a celebration for him is being planned for downtown Elyria. Co-producer Sean Arnold joined in on the documentary because he was inspired by Maxwell's story. He said it's not just about Elyria, but it's also echoing issues in the world. "We want to have these uncomfortable conversations," he said. "It may be uncomfortable for some, but we believe it's necessary." Conley described the documentary as a love letter to her hometown. Although it may bring up some painful topics of race in Elyria, Conley said she hopes people keep in mind that it's in love and is about the humanity of another person. "If we remember that, I think we can get through those tough conversations," she said. Right now, Conley is funding the documentary through her production company. She plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign. Those funds will help plan the screening and release of the documentary. Conley said she would love to partner with a larger production company, which can be a lengthy process. Once it's released, Conley said she would like to host screenings in Elyria and elsewhere in Northeast Ohio and have conversations after the film. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.