Osato Dixon’s ‘Wait Until Tomorrow’ Documentary Explores Black Families’ Stories of Race and Wealth | EUR Video Exclusive

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

“Wait Until Tomorrow,” the latest documentary from director Osato Dixon, made its premiere this month at the 2025 American Black Film Festival. The project is a deeply personal and pressing exploration of race, wealth, and opportunity in America, told through the lived experiences of Black families across the country. At its core, the film brings groundbreaking research to life, layered with emotional nuance and a strong commitment to authentic storytelling.

“This film has been a process and patience,” Dixon said. “We started nearly four years ago.”

The documentary was sparked by a report from McKinsey’s Institute for Economic Mobility. “That report put out a lot of staggering information, data points that reminded me about what the current state of Black America was through an economic lens. But at the same time, it showed me what the possibility was,” he explained.

As Dixon began capturing stories, he committed to staying with his subjects over time. “People don’t exist in just one moment in time. People exist over time,” he said. “I thought that it would be important to make sure I stayed with people, understood what their lives were up to this point… but also at the same time, see what they want their lives to be.”

That long-term approach became central to the documentary’s power. “We stayed with folks, saw change occur,” he added.

The film spans several cities and follows a diverse group of families. Dixon reflected on what stood out most to him during production: “I think what I was reminded of again and again is that Black America is not a monolith. It’s full of diversity.”

He described being moved by the varied experiences he encountered from Atlanta to California, Detroit to New Orleans. “I was reminded of the beauty in the experience,” Dixon said. “It was… a reminder in terms of how important these stories were.”

The film’s title, “Wait Until Tomorrow,” holds historical significance. “It’s a reference for a few things, but directly it’s a reference to Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963,” Dixon said. “The idea that justice cannot… we cannot wait for justice to occur.”

Dixon wanted the title to signal urgency and agency. “The characters were not allowing things to erode the possibility in their dreams. They decided not to wait until tomorrow,” he said. “They decided to go out and make sure the change that they wanted to see in their lives occur.”

Asked about what he hopes viewers take from the film, Dixon emphasized the power of informed understanding: “In order to make decisions and determine how you feel about something, you should be informed about something.”

“I’m hoping to add a clear voice and contribute a very particular understanding of what’s happening in our country right now,” he said. “Is it clear? Is it compelling? Is it honest?… I think in order for us to move forward, we need to move forward together… a way to do that is to hear each other’s stories.”

Dixon reflected on those who inspired his journey, saying, “The film is definitely an inspiration from filmmakers and mentors that I’ve had of recent years.”

He named film professor Richard Peña, filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, and former McKinsey senior partner Dame Vivian Hunt as key influences. “All three of these individuals challenged me to tell personal stories in different ways,” he said.

Ultimately, Dixon hopes his work honors their impact. “That stayed with me… that being inspired by individuals, I’m able to do something that they would be proud of. And I can also be proud of as well.”

“Wait Until Tomorrow” is a timely and heartfelt call for empathy, change, and collective understanding — rooted in real lives, and told with depth, care, and vision.

Watch our full conversation with Osato Dixon below and stay tuned for updates on when “Wait Until Tomorrow” will be released to the public.

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