In September 2016, Jay Z announced a pivotal partnership with the Weinstein Company to help shine a light on the authentic narratives that have the potential to re-shape a nation. In a previous statement, the mogul said that he plans to bring “stories from real life prophets,” to the big and little screen, “whom through their struggles have changed the world for the better, and others whose stories are filled with fantasy and delight.”
Putting that affirmation into action, the Brooklyn native and the mega-film company have shined a light on Kalief Browder with a six-part docu-series that airs on Wednesday nights on Spike TV. Now, another pivotal figure in shaping America’s outlook on race, why black lives matter, and police brutality will have his story examined onscreen in the near future.
According to Variety, the Roc Nation captain garnered the rights to two books that highlight the course of Trayvon Martin’s life. The teen was fatally shot by George Zimmerman on Feb. 26, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, then a 17-year-old high school student, was walking through a neighborhood on his way home from a convenience store. Zimmerman — who was the area’s neighborhood watchman — followed Martin and phoned 911, stating that he was suspicious of the teen’s appearance in the gated community.
Although Zimmerman was told not to follow or approach Martin, he still incited a physical encounter and fatally ended the teen’s promising future. Zimmerman hid behind Florida’s Stand Your Ground law and was acquitted on the basis of self-defense. The verdict sparked numerous protests around the world and ignited the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The two books that will be turned into film format includes Lisa Bloom’s “Suspicion Nation: The Inside Story of the Trayvon Martin Injustice and Why We Continue to Repeat It,” which highlights her time following the trial during her tenure at NBC. The next passage was authored by Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, titled “Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin.” According to Variety, the book reveals personal details on their son’s childhood and how they continue to keep marching forward following his murder.