Troy University alumnus Theo Moore II has been awarded the Alabama Historical Association’s 2025 Jeff Jakeman Digital History Award for his contribution to historical preservation and promotion through his nonprofit organization, Hiztorical Vision Productions.

Hiztorical Vision Productions was founded in 2017 in Auburn, Alabama, with the goal of preserving local history and educating the public through historical documentaries. With a focus on African American history that is “not always easily accessible or taught to the general public,” Moore has a desire to teach history from a different perspective.

“The films and projects we usually see of African Americans are from the victimization standpoint, rather than a focus on the success stories of those who were civically engaged or made contributions to this country,” he said. “We understand that we play a role in preservation for the next generation—telling history and giving a voice to people that would probably never be heard. We don’t take that lightly, and we try to do the best we can.”

Moore developed an interest in history at a young age, and carried that curiosity with him throughout his schooling years. That curiosity was encouraged first by a veteran history teacher at Anniston High School who “kept it real” and then by the faculty at Troy University.

“The History Department was amazing. They specialize in different topics as it pertains to history, so it’s a very well-rounded staff,” he said. “The department was very open to my perspective, but coming from a different background and seeing history from a totally different lens gave me a good challenge as well. I definitely learned the craft of being unbiased. I had to take myself out of the equation and actually write from various perspectives; it’s something that I really use now in the craft of historical filmmaking, as well.”

Moore graduated from TROY in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in history and again in 2016 with a master’s degree in post-secondary education in history. In 2023, he returned to campus for the McPherson-Mitchell Lecture in Southern History for a screening and discussion of his documentary “Afrikan by Way of American.”

“The Department of History and Philosophy at Troy University extends its heartfelt congratulations to Theo Moore on winning the Jeff Jakeman Digital History Award,” said Dr. Allen Jones, History Department Chair. “We are extremely proud of Theo’s continuing commitment to preserving African American history in communities across Alabama through production of his many fine films and documentaries.”

Originally wanting to work in a classroom, Moore said he decided to pursue filmmaking to make information free and accessible and to reach a larger audience.

“I always was the type of person who wanted other people to know about these things,” he said. “I really do feel grateful and honored that I’m respected amongst my peers in the history field.”

But what means the most to him, he said, is seeing the impact on the people in the communities he features.

“When we have screenings for the community and the community comes out in their best dress…and we do a red carpet and they’re smiling ear to ear,” he said, “and some are crying happy tears of finally feeling heard, finally feeling like their story means something.”

In addition to filmmaking, Moore runs Bama Black History 365, an internship program for college students who also want to preserve and share untold African American history in Alabama. Three students are selected for a three-month internship each Spring where they will create a documentary for a community; this cohort’s project will highlight the integration of Lee County Schools.

Later this year, Hiztorical Vision Productions will release a film highlighting the civil rights history of Prattville, Alabama, and a feature on the Tuskegee Institute Advancement League in partnership with the Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University.

About the Robert J. “Jeff” Jakeman Award for Digital History

Named in honor of Robert J. “Jeff” Jakeman, 69th President of the Alabama Historical Association, ​the Robert J. “Jeff” Jakeman Award for Digital History recognizes excellence for large or small digital history projects that make contributions to promulgating Alabama (state or local) history. 

Digital History has established itself as an important new way of delivering exceptional and heretofore hidden information about Alabama’s past. The Internet and social media tools make it possible for many individuals and entities to gain attention and authority for their contributions to increased understanding about the history of Alabama.