KAHIKI 3 AND ME

Director: Amber Monet
Producer: Safiya Songhai
Stars: Nikki Johnson-Alfano
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 120

In 1970s Columbus, a family celebration for two couples and an infant at the Kahiki Supper Club turns to chaos after a police confrontation.

Decades later, the infant at the center of the night’s tragedy, now a lawyer, confronts the hidden scars and secrets that have shaped her family and her own path to resilience. The altercation shook the black community of Columbus initiating a major call to action against police brutality and a push for policy reform.

Kahiki 3 and Me presented a unique set of challenges that I genuinely enjoyed tackling. Balancing historical authenticity with emotional accessibility meant carefully choosing textures and motifs that respected the documentary’s cultural and archival elements without overpowering them. I had to support intimate personal moments while also underscoring broader historical context, often with subtle thematic development rather than overt melodies.

Navigating limited source material and shifting timelines pushed me to be more creative and restrained, and I found that problem-solving aspect deeply rewarding—each challenge became an opportunity to serve the story more honestly and thoughtfully - Rick