Earlier this summer, Imlay City resident Lisbet Barragan, a 2024 Imlay City High School graduate and first-generation Mexican American, set out to capture untold stories from her community’s Hispanic population — and bring them to life on film.
Through her internship with Four County Community Foundation (4CCF), Lisbet researched, filmed, and produced a 90-minute documentary titled Seguimos Aquí (“We Continue Here”), highlighting the history, culture, and voices of Imlay City’s Hispanic community. The film was first shown at an August premier at Imlay City Schools Performing Arts Center and is now available for viewing.
Lisbet said her inspiration for the documentary came from the people and culture she knows well.
“We have a very large population of Hispanics in Imlay City, and I’ve always felt like it was underrepresented,” Lisbet shared. “I want the film to uplift my community and bring our history to light.”
4CCF Executive Director Kathy Dickens praised Lisbet’s dedication and vision.
“This project was a passion point for Lisbet. She put in a lot of hours and dedication in the two months she was with us. We hope viewers will learn more about the rich contributions of the Hispanic community in the Imlay City area through this film. This documentary will help preserve and celebrate the stories that make our region so special.”
Seguimos Aquí features interviews with community members and leaders, tracing the stories of families who helped build and enrich Imlay City’s culture and identity. The documentary received a special congressional tribute signed by State Representative Jamie Greene and Senator Kevin Daley.
“Lisbet’s understanding of the Imlay City community allows her to bring a uniquely personal perspective which benefits the project immeasurably,” said Len Radjewski Fraga, a fellow documentary creator who served as one of Lisbet’s project mentors. Len’s film, Michoacán to Michigan tells the story of his grandparents’ journey from Michoacán Mexico to Michigan more than 100 years ago.
“The creation of this internship aimed to accomplish two goals: to provide a local student with the opportunity to serve their community and to document the contributions of the local Hispanic community. Through her vision and dedication, Lisbet has accomplished all of that and more with her first documentary film,” said Cristian Rodriguez, Lisbet’s fellow project mentor.
The film can be viewed at https://bit.ly/Seguimosaquifilm
Four County Community Foundation is committed to serving the current and emerging needs of our local community. The foundation serves portions of Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties.
To learn more about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.
Lisbet Barragan offers closing remarks about her 4CCF internship that culminated in the creation of Seguimos Aquí (“We Continue Here”).