explore the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Susan Sandler, a quiet force behind some of the most impactful progressive movements of the past four decades.
SYNOPSIS
A passionate advocate for racial and social justice, Susan has worked behind the scenes—strategically, relentlessly, and often anonymously—to support grassroots organizers and amplify voices long overlooked.
Through intimate interviews, rare archival footage, and vérité storytelling, the film reveals how Susan's radical belief in listening, trust, and long-term investment has reshaped the landscape of American politics. As we follow her personal and political journey, we uncover a blueprint for change—one rooted not in ego or spectacle, but in moral clarity and collective power.
The SPC Impact Foundation is proud to share Susan’s story through the film, and to carry forward her legacy through its other charitable programs.
About Susan Sandler
Susan Sandler was a strategist, philanthropist, and movement builder whose influence helped reshape the progressive ecosystem in the United States. Born into a legacy of political activism, Susan dedicated her life to uplifting underrepresented voices, particularly women of color-led organizations at the forefront of democracy, racial justice, and equity.
She believed deeply in long-term, trust-based funding and quietly supported game-changing movements and leaders well before they became household names. Her work remained intentionally behind the scenes, guided by the philosophy that real impact does not require the spotlight, only a clear vision and sustained commitment.
Her thoughtful, bold, and values-driven approach earned the respect of movement leaders, organizers, and fellow funders. At a time when the nation faced deepening inequality and polarization, Susan’s legacy stood as a masterclass in how sustained, values-first leadership could catalyze structural change.
Her story remains both an inspiration and a call to action for a new generation striving to build a more just and inclusive future.
IMPACT CAMPAIGN
Reimagining Power. Redistributing Resources. Telling the Truth.
This film is more than a portrait—it’s a platform for change. The impact campaign behind Power, Not Persuasion is designed by the SPC Impact Foundation to energize and expand the ecosystem of values-based donors, organizers, and cultural workers committed to structural justice.
Our Goals:
Embolden a new generation of funders—particularly those from wealth and philanthropy – who want to fund like Susan, boldly leveraging their power and influence to drive lasting social change.
Support the movement ecosystem—by spotlighting grassroots leaders and organizations doing the real work.
Shift the culture of giving—away from transactional models toward sustained, relationship-driven support.
Educate audiences on how movements grow, how power operates, and how each of us can contribute.
How We’ll Do It:
Host screenings and donor salons in partnership with aligned organizations and foundations.
Collaborate with colleges, nonprofits, and civic groups for community engagement events.
Use digital platforms to share the film and extend the conversation.
This is a film with a profound ripple effect.
It’s a call to fund differently, lead differently, and imagine a future built on justice and equity.
TEAM BIOS
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Producer
Stacey Abrams needs no introduction—but she deserves one. A bestselling author, business leader, voting rights champion, and political history-maker, Stacey is also a force in film and television. As the founder of Sage Works Productions, she’s using the power of storytelling to shift narratives, deepen civic engagement, and build a more equitable world.
Known for breaking barriers—including becoming the first Black woman nominated for governor by a major party in U.S. history—Stacey has also launched numerous nonprofits focused on democracy, voting rights, and policy innovation. Her production work includes All In: The Fight for Democracy, a critically acclaimed documentary that made the 2021 Oscar shortlist.
Whether writing political thrillers or producing films that move the needle, Stacey Abrams is proof that stories—when told with heart and purpose—can change everything.
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Director & Producer
At the heart of Chelsea Hernandez’s storytelling are themes of community, representation and social justice. Her work, grounded in care and empathy, focuses on amplifying voices too often excluded from mainstream media. Named as one of Texas Monthly’s “Texas filmmakers poised to usher in a new Golden Age of Texas cinema” and DOC NYC’s “40 Under 40” class of 2021, Chelsea has directed and produced award-winning feature and short documentaries and produced television docuseries for El Rey Network, Paramount+ and PBS.
She is a National Emmy-nominated Director for her first feature documentary BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM (SXSW, PBS), Winner of the 2021 Silver Telly Award for Social Impact and her second feature documentary BREAKING THE NEWS (Tribeca, PBS) won the 2023 David Carr Award for Truth in Nonfiction Filmmaking. Chelsea is an 8-time Lone Star Emmy Winning Director, Producer and Editor, a Warner Media 150 Artist, and a fellow of Firelight Media Doc Lab, Tribeca All Access, BAVC National Mediamaker, Gotham Week and NALIP Latino Media Market.
Chelsea is the first in her family to graduate from college, receiving a degree from The University of Texas at Austin and is co-founder of Tejanas in Film, a collective aimed at uplifting the voices of Latina/e filmmakers in Texas. -
Producer
Teryn Fogel is an award-winning film producer and content developer whose career bridges studio blockbusters and socially resonant storytelling that challenges the status quo. With credits across Disney, Fox, Universal, and Paramount, she brings a keen eye for powerful narratives and cultural impact to both scripted and documentary work.
As a development executive at Columbia Pictures, she helped shepherd Stuart Little and The Patriot to the screen, later serving as a production executive for Rob Minkoff on Disney’s Haunted Mansion. Her independent projects range from the raw vérité documentary Skid Row to Revelations of Waco for Paramount Network, and the feature Desiree, starring Ron Perlman and Oscar nominee Walton Goggins.
Recent credits include The Pursuit, now streaming on Netflix, and Knockout, an upcoming hybrid documentary produced in collaboration with Nas’s company, Mass Appeal. With a strong track record of guiding projects from inception to release, Teryn is committed to championing bold films that spark conversation—and inspire change.
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Producer
Adriana Martínez Barrón is a powerhouse creative executive with a career spanning major studios, streaming platforms, and political impact storytelling. Currently Head of TV and Film at Stacey Abrams’ Sage Works Productions, Adriana brings a rare blend of narrative instinct, global sensibility, and industry muscle to the table.
Before Sage Works, she served as VP of Drama Development at CBS Entertainment and VP of Film at Eva Longoria’s UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, where she executive produced Let’s Get Merried for ViacomCBS. At Netflix, Adriana wore two hats—managing Latin American originals and content acquisitions across Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain—launching over 25 titles including Luis Miguel: The Series and Nicky Jam: El Ganador.
A graduate of USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program, Adriana is also a committed mentor and advocate for inclusion in Hollywood. She's held fellowships with Women in Film and mentors through CBS, LFI, and beyond. Whether she’s shepherding talent or scaling global stories, Adriana is driven by a clear mission: to elevate underrepresented voices with commercial and cultural power.
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Executive Producer
Steve Phillips is a bestselling author, political commentator, and civic investor with decades of leadership at the intersection of racial equity, democracy, and philanthropy.
An Ohio native, Steve moved to California in the 1980s, where he was galvanized by Reverend Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign. That early inspiration led to a lifelong commitment to public service and social change. In 1992, Steve made history as the youngest person ever elected to public office in San Francisco, serving as Commissioner of the San Francisco Unified School District.
For 30 years, Steve's partner in love, life, and liberation was the late Susan Sandler. Together, they co-founded the Sandler Phillips Center, supporting organizations and campaigns led by people of color, women, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ communities. They were also deeply engaged in national philanthropic networks, championing innovative giving practices to fuel lasting social change.
Throughout their work, Steve and Susan were among the early and pivotal supporters of leaders such as Stacey Abrams, Senator Raphael Warnock, President Barack Obama, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Today, Steve carries forward Susan’s legacy and their shared vision for a more just and inclusive democracy through the Sandler Phillips Center, the Democracy in Color media platform, and ongoing civic initiatives. He founded the SPC Impact Foundation in 2023 to conduct charitable and educational programs, including Power, Not Persuasion and the impact campaign for the film. He is also the host of the Democracy in Color podcast and author of How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good.