'Black Boys': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about the Peacock documentary on Black identity in America
The current socio-political climate driven by the protests for equality and the calls for justice has highlighted the shortcomings of the country when it comes to being humane. The persisting George Floyd Protests and Black Lives Matter movement are a stark reminder of all the atrocities that people of color, and particularly the African-American community, have faced for centuries. With the aim of projecting the spectrum of black male humanity in America, NBCUniversal's streaming service Peacock is bringing us an original film entitled 'Black Boys.' Here is everything you need to know about the film.
Release date
'Black Boys' premieres September 10 on Peacock.
Plot
'Black Boys' is a documentary film that celebrates the "full humanity" of African-American men and boys. It is an intimate, candid, and inter-generational exploration, giving significant insight into Black identity and utilizing stories around education, criminal justice, and sports. The poignant film gives an emotional account of those experiencing g racism and invites us to reimagine America, as a land where Black boys have a sense of true belonging and endless opportunities to thrive. During a time where the nation is grappling to rectify its racist history, it is easily the film of the moment, serving a rare glimpse into the minds and lives of Black men and boys, ultimately showcasing their tenderness, joy, strength, and vulnerability.
The film features interviews with rapper Vic Mensa, NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, two-time Super Bowl champion Greg Scruggs, NFL Hall of Fame inductee Cris Carter, Super Bowl champion Chris Long, award-winning sports journalist Jemele Hill, poet/activist Malcolm London, and former US Secretary of Education, Dr John King Jr.
"Our intention with this film and future films like it is to give visuals to the reality that the humanity of Black people lives on a wide spectrum," said executive producer Malcolm Jenkins, reports E! News. "This project is focused on the humanity of Black boys. No segment group is monolithic. What we are displaying in this film is how Black boys' bodies have been commodified, our minds completely disregarded, and our feelings, creativity, and love painted over by society. Operating in a society that fears them, Black men and Black boys face a unique kind of trauma. We need White people, and everyone for that matter, to see that the identity of the Black boy is under attack as early as preschool to adulthood. We all have a responsibility to help map the future of our children, and how our children preserve the world around them. Next up is Black Girls!"
Creators
Sonia Lowman (Director)
'Black Boys' is directed by Lowman, whose previous documentary 'Teach Us All' about school segregation in America, 60 years after Little Rock Nine was acquired by Ava DuVernay and is currently streaming on Netflix. She has also directed a short film about midwives in South Sudan, 'War & Grace', which won a Grand Prix in the WHO’s Health for All Film Festival.
Malcolm Jenkins
Jenkins, an activist, and two-time Super Bowl champion serves as the executive producer of 'Black Boys'. He is the founder and chairman of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, which aims to create positive change in the lives of youth, particularly those from the under-served communities. He also co-founded the NFL Players Coalition in 2017 to address social justice and racial inequality.
'Black Boys' is produced by Chad Williamson for Never Whisper Justice in partnership with Listen Up Media and The Nation of Artists.
Trailer
"These young people don’t need saviors, they need believers," says Conan Harris, husband of Representative Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts's 7th congressional district.
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