By Chauncey Dunham, CEO – A Dante Production

As we move into 2026, A Dante Production is embracing a bold and meaningful new direction—one that blends entertainment with education through a creative concept we call Ed-U-Tain-Ment.

Our mission is simple: to tell powerful stories that inform, inspire, and engage audiences while honoring culture, history, and community.

What Is Edutainment?

Edutainment is the fusion of education and entertainment—using compelling storytelling, music, and cultural narratives to teach while entertaining.

As Dan Garisto wrote for Popular Science (March 9, 2020), edutainment is “a cross between education and entertainment.”

At Dante, we believe stories are most impactful when they connect emotionally and intellectually.

A New Creative Mission

The CEO of Gary Johnson Media, Gary Johnson, has launched an ambitious documentary project that explores the birth and cultural evolution of minority communities in Palm Coast, Florida.

This is not just a film—it is a historical and cultural examination of how community, resilience, and creativity shape identity.

To understand where we are going, we must first understand where we’ve been.

The Legacy of Black Barbershops

Black barbershops have a rich and powerful history rooted in the era of slavery. What began as a profession forced upon enslaved men serving white patrons evolved—after emancipation—into vital community institutions.

Over time, barbershops became:

• Economic engines

• Political meeting spaces

• Cultural hubs

• Safe gathering places during segregation

They were not just businesses. They were pillars of Black community life, places where ideas were exchanged, voices were heard, and futures were shaped.

The Soundtrack of Culture: Jazz

Jazz was born in African American communities in New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emerged as a fusion of:

• African rhythms

• Spirituals

• Blues

• Ragtime

• European classical music

Pioneers like Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton helped shape the genre, which later spread around the world through recordings and migration.

Jazz became more than music—it became a cultural voice.

Where History Meets Creativity

This documentary weaves together:

• The cultural significance of Black barbershops

• The historical power of jazz

• The storytelling mission of Edutainment

The result is a project that honors the past while educating and inspiring future generations.

A Must-See Experience

This film is a must-see—not just for its subject matter, but for the brilliant way it has been developed.

I am humbled to play a small part in a venture that celebrates culture, community, and creativity.

Chauncey Dunham
CEO, A Dante Production

You don’t get what you wish for. You get what you work for.