New Film Puts APB Speakers Wil Haygood & John Marshall in Spotlight

11 Oct 2017

With the release of the new major motion picture, MARSHALL, John Marshall, son of the nation’s first African-American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall,  is welcoming renewed interest in his father’s legacy as a groundbreaking champion of civil rights. So is Justice Marshall’s acclaimed biographer, Wil Haygood, author of Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination that Changed America. In the weeks leading to MARSHALL’s premiere, Haygood, best-known as the author of The Butler, has become the media’s go-to cultural historian and Thurgood Marshall biographer. Haygood recently appeared with the film’s director, Reginald Hudlin, at an advance screening and discussion at the Museum of African American History. He was also interviewed by Smithsonian magazine in an extensive article on the controversial legal case chronicled in the film.

"It is an important time in American history to celebrate the life of Thurgood Marshall,” says Haygood. “The movie, MARSHALL, vividly illustrates the bravery and vision of this man who championed the spectrum of civil rights, women's rights, and the legal rights of the accused. As the nation continues to seek racial harmony, there are myriad lessons in the life of this great man who capped his career with a seat on the United States Supreme Court."

In coordination with APB, Haygood and Marshall have announced a new joint speaking program “MARSHALL: The Enduring Legacy.” Conducted as a moderated conversation with John Marshall, the program will honor Justice Marshall while drawing parallels with the headlines of today. “We are delighted to bring this thought-provoking and highly relevant event to colleges and other audiences, especially around MLK observations and Black History month,” said Robert P. Walker, CEO of APB.  “APB began by providing a public platform for voices like Dick Gregory and Julian Bond—voices that otherwise might not have been heard. Fifty years later, we’re more committed than ever to programming that champions civil rights, encourages productive dialog and teaches the essential lessons of history.”

+Learn More About New Speaking Program "MARSHALL: The Enduring Legacy"