"BlacKkKlansman" Highlights the Work of Sought-After Speakers

10 Sep 2018

“His greatest and most galvanizing movie in years.” -Rolling Stone Magazine 

Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee released his new movie, BlacKkKlansman, featuring a role played by civil rights icon, actor and entertainer Harry Belafonte, and a tribute to feminist, activist and writer Angela Davis, who is referenced through character Patrice’s (Laura Harrier) style. The movie follows police officer Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) on a mission to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan in Colorado. 

In the film, Belafonte, who plays president of the BSU, appears in a scene to recount his experience of witnessing a lynching. A passionate social activist in real life, Belafonte was friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, played a role in the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and has been honored by multiple organizations including the ACLU, State Department and the NAACP. 
+Learn More About Harry Belafonte

Davis, whose style is imitated by the character Patrice, is an activist with a strong commitment to economic, racial and gender justice. Her published works concentrate on such social issues as incarceration and discrimination. A dynamic and engaging speaker, she delivers a riveting message of tolerance. 
+Learn More About Angela Davis

Credited for having revolutionized both the landscape of independent cinema and the role of black talent in film, Lee is a notable writer, director and producer responsible for such box office successes as Inside Man; 25th Hour; The Original Kings of Comedy; Bamboozled; Summer of Sam; and Passing Strange, based on the critically acclaimed Broadway musical. 
+Learn More About Spike Lee