FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Opening graphic of the short film The Dark White Forest. The image features a Black woman's face split in two: the left side is a black and white photo of her in her 20s, and the left is a color photo of her today.

The Dark White Forest, a docu-drama about the first black female forester Melody Starya Mobley, premieres in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., 27 February 2026 – Dignitaries, foresters, and community came together in the former BET production studios turned Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) studios to celebrate Melody S. Mobley and the premiere of The Dark White Forest. As the first African-American woman hired by the USDA Forest Service, Melody’s story details the trials and triumphs of women of color pursuing STEM careers in often hostile environments.

The evening began with a reception, where attendees could take red carpet pictures with Melody and chat with each other about her historic milestones and the trails left to blaze—or re-blaze, as is increasingly the case in an administration hostile to anything perceived as DEI or system-shifting.

Three people are seated and facing an off-stage audience during a Q&A session.

From left: Melody Mobley, Brandon Cooper (director/producer), and Yaida Ford (producer). ©️ Christopher Gibbons

Toasts and camaraderie were followed by the premiere itself. Emcee Terry Sharik—dean emeritus of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science (SFRES) at Michigan Tech—made a few remarks before passing the mic to mayoral candidate and civil rights attorney Yaida Ford to offer perspective on her father’s experience as one of the first five black men hired by the Forest Service.

The main event: a screening of the film’s first version, focused on Melody’s early life and family context before a brief view of her start in natural resources. Producers aim to leverage the short documentary at film festivals and fundraising events, hoping to secure support for a feature length biopic. A fully funded venture would allow room to explore the impact of Melody’s groundbreaking career and ongoing service as a science educator.

The subsequent Q&A featured questions from a variety of standout attendees, including the first black woman to serve as a special agent for the Forest Service and current women of color seeking STEM degrees.

“I’ve served as a mentor and role model for many. On numerous occasions, people told me I was the reason they made it in the Forest Service,” shares Melody. “I’m serving as the subject of a documentary film about my life as the first African American woman forester in the USDA Forest Service to try to reach more people, and I hope telling my stories will offer hope that we can find success in work despite any obstacles stacked against us.”

The premiere, while centered on the accomplishments of one incredible woman, became a celebration of community, mentorship, and determination—and a hopeful look ahead at what we might offer the next generation as they step out of school doors into the woods.

The Dark White Forest is available for viewing at missionranch.co/project/the-dark-white-forest. To contribute to fundraising for the feature-length version, donate to the film’s GoFundMe campaign at gofundme.com/f/the-dark-white-forest-project-j4ehp.

About Melody Starya Mobley

Melody Mobley poses against and brown background. She's smiling and wearing brown Western-style hat and a gray and white shawl.

©️ Kirth Bobb

Melody Starya Mobley’s experiences as the first black woman serving as a forester for the USDA are remarkable: both for the firsts she embodies and for the years of abuse and oppression she experienced within that system.

Now, Melody shares her personal stories to create positive change for groups historically excluded from accessing American natural spaces.

With the few federal protections that exist currently being stripped away, it’s more important than ever for stories like these to be told. Learn more about Melody and The Dark White Forest, a documentary about Melody’s life, on her website at starya.org.

About American Green Consulting Group

American Green Consulting Group specializes in FSC® Chain of Custody certifications, helping clients across all sectors get—and keep—their FSC certification. American Green was awarded an FSC Leadership Award in 2016 for the consulting work they did with Etsy, and again in 2022 for their development of innovative tools to support FSC Chain of Custody certified businesses.

Since 2025, American Green has partnered with Melody Starya Mobley to provide an additional platform on their blog for her to share her stories, experiences, and advice as the first black female forester. Learn more about American Green at americangreenconsulting.com.

 

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