NYACP Racial Equity Media Club Film Discussion

"Just Mercy"

Thursday, March 27, 2025
12:00-1:00pm
via Zoom

RSVP for 3/27/2025

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting racial equity and addressing systemic racism, the NYACP Racial Equity Media Club will be discussing the film "Just Mercy".

Just Mercy is a 2019 American biographical legal drama film co-written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, Jamie Foxx as Walter McMillian, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, and Brie Larson. It explores the work of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson who represents poor people on death row in the South. Featured is his work with Walter McMillian, who had been wrongfully convicted of the murder of a young woman. The film is based on Stevenson's 2014 eponymous memoir, in which he explored his journey to making his life's work the defense of African American prisoners.

Just Mercy, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019, was theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 25, 2019. The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $50.4 million. Foxx was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards. Both he and Michael B. Jordan won NAACP Image Awards for their respective roles.

You can view the trailer HERE.  You can choose to watch it HERE for $3.99 on Google Play.

We encourage you to watch the movie before the discussion to ensure an engaging and insightful conversation. 

Join us as we come together to learn, grow, and advocate for racial equity in our work as collaborative professionals. Together, we can foster positive change and address systemic racism within our communities.

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." –Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution

For some time, the NYACP has been engaged in ongoing conversations about how to support anti-racist work and broaden knowledge and representation within our membership. In 2023, we launched the Racial Equity Committee to facilitate different avenues to increase awareness on issues surrounding racial equity and justice. 

Aside from providing ongoing training programs and discussions for the NYACP membership, the Racial Equity Media Club was created. Every other month there will be a video or book that Club members will view or read a specific selection and then discuss as a group at a Club meeting. Eblasts will go out for each meeting and registration to each meeting will be required. Registration links are below.

There are also suggestions on the website HERE to read, view, and listen to regarding racial equity for your own personal reference.

If you would like more information about the Racial Equity Committee, please contact the NYACP Office.

Both the NYACP Media Club and the media resource list below are intended to encourage engagement with materials and subjects that may be normally overlooked, and to engage our members to be open to different perspectives and experiences.

Log in information will be sent to you in a confirmation email. 

These meetings are for NYACP Members Only.  

Future Meetings: Please mark your calendars!

Book 5/22 Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

June Field Trip- Date and Location TBD