Joseph W. Robinson is a film that tells the story of one of the first Black architects in Atlanta through the buildings he designed and the communities they served. During an era when segregation barred Black architects from corporate, governmental, and large-scale commissions, Robinson used architecture as a means of resistance and uplift, designing schools, churches, civic spaces, and homes that strengthened Black neighborhoods and expanded access to spaces of dignity and belonging.

The film utilizes a dual visual approach, juxtaposing archival footage of mid-century Atlanta with contemporary cinematography of Robinson’s surviving buildings. Through this layered perspective, audiences experience the city as both a product of its segregated history and a site of ongoing transformation. Interviews with architects, historians, and community members contextualize Robinson’s work within broader conversations about representation, urban development, and the politics of space in the American South.

Through this project, The Adeboye Brothers aim to reintroduce Robinson’s name into Atlanta’s cultural memory, illuminate the impact of Black architectural contributions, and foster new dialogue around equity in the built environment. Ultimately, the project seeks to ensure that Robinson’s legacy is recognized, preserved, and woven into the story of the city he helped shape.