Patrice O’Neill is a filmmaker and Executive Producer of the Oakland-based non-profit strategic media company, The Working Group and leader of Not In Our Town, a movement of people across the country working to build safe, inclusive communities for all. Her film Not In Our Town began as a half-hour PBS special and turned into a dynamic movement that thrives in communities across the U.S. and around the world.
For the past 30 years, O’Neill has collaborated with hate crime victims, activists, civic leaders and law enforcement to document and share successful practice for hate crime response and prevention. As a nationally recognized leader in the anti-hate movement she has led action campaigns, provided guidance countless communities and individuals and presented her films and the Not In Our Town resources across the U.S, in Europe, Russia and Ukraine.
Recognized as a pioneer in impact media producing, she served as a Sundance Media Advisor at the Skoll World Forum. O’Neill is currently in production on Minnesota Neighbors: Not In Our Town which profiles Twin Cities residents from all walks of life who courageously stood together to support immigrants and each other during the ICE Surge in Winter 2026. She was Director and Executive Producer for Repairing the World: Stories from the Tree of Life a feature public television documentary about the powerful community solidarity in Pittsburgh, PA following the antisemitic hate crime killing of eleven Jewish people at the Tree of Life Synagogue. (now available on PBS Passport) O’Neill’s other films include Light in the Darkness, Waking in Oak Creek about the transformation of a community after hate crime killings at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Camden’s Turn and A Prosecutor’s Stand, about local leaders and law enforcement working together to prevent hate crimes and build safe, inclusive communities.
O’Neill is co-foudner of United Against Hate Week, a civic action program launched by Bay Area city and civic leaders, educators and activists to raise awareness and spark action to stop hate and bias. Not In Our Town has been collaborating with local communities across the U.S. plan events for United Against Hate Week since 2018.