Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles Rangel hosted a documentary screening of Vivian Ducat's "All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert" at the Library of Congress on February 6, 2012, in honor of Black History Month. The film depicts the life of Winfred Rembert, who overcomes great atrocities of the pre-Civil Rights era and eventually becomes a successful artist.

"During this year's Black History Month, I am honored to host the screening of such an inspirational and historically relevant film here in Washington," said Rangel. "This powerful documentary pulls you into the turbulent world of the violent segregated South prior to the Civil Rights Movement as experienced by self-taught artist, Winfred Rembert. It revives a world so many people have forgotten."

Dozens of people gathered to watch the documentary by Vivian Ducat, who among the many hats she wears, is an active board member of Community Board 12a of Washington Heights in Rangel’s Manhattan Congressional District. Vivian was inspired by Winfred Rembert's work at a downtown art gallery and felt compelled to tell his story in a documentary form so more people could understand the adversity and struggles he has experienced then and so many still face today.

Working with a production crew based in Washington Heights, Vivian and Winfred teamed up to convey the injustices that were prevalent in the Jim Crow Era South. Rembert was arrested and forced onto chain gangs and to pick cotton; he survived nearly fatal acts of hateful racism. During his time in prison, Winfred learned to rise above the prejudice by conveying his experiences through art and manipulating paint onto leather canvas.

"The creative diligence of Vivian Ducat and Winfred Rembert are a testament to the numerous cultural contributions made in this great country. I am proud that so many of my constituents are artistically gifted and are dedicated to teaching future generations about a time in our history that we're working so hard to transcend," said Rangel.

Winfred's work has a faithful following among collectors and art enthusiasts. His art is a storyline of the bitter-sweet saga of racial stains in our modern American history, transforming even the most anguished memories into meaningful depictions of perseverance and determination.

Added Rangel: "I marched 54 miles from Selma to Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965 because I believed in an America that won't judge a person by the color of his or her skin. Winfred Rembert is another black pioneer and further proof of how far we have come."