Stand with Kevin Epps: A Black historian on trial for murder

December 5, 2025

Kevin Epps, a Black filmmaker and historian from San Francisco's Hunters Point neighborhood, is currently facing a murder trial while his supporters rally to his defense. Epps gained recognition for his groundbreaking documentary "Straight Outta Hunters Point," which chronicled the lived experiences of residents in the predominantly Black neighborhood and has been cited in academic research on urban issues. The author, who knows Epps personally, frames the trial as a critical moment for Black San Francisco to stand against what they view as an attempt to silence and discredit an important community documentarian.

Who is affected

Kevin Epps, the filmmaker and documentarian facing murder charges
Kevin Epps' supporters who are attending his trial daily
The Black San Francisco community, particularly residents of Bayview Hunters Point
The author, Khafre Jay, who describes Epps as a personal friend and colleague
Kevin Epps' family (he is described as a Black father)

What action is being taken

Kevin Epps is standing trial for murder
Supporters are attending his trial every day at the courthouse
The author is writing and publishing this article to raise awareness and support
The community is voicing opposition to what they perceive as an attempt to silence Epps

Why it matters

This case represents a critical test of whether the Black San Francisco community will allow one of their own important cultural documentarians to be isolated and marginalized by the legal system. Kevin Epps created vital historical documentation of Bayview Hunters Point that has influenced academic work, urban policy discussions, and planning documents related to environmental racism, gentrification, and urban redevelopment. His work stands in the tradition of James Baldwin by giving voice to communities that mainstream society typically ignores, making his potential conviction significant beyond the individual case to the preservation of Black community history and self-representation.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper