MakeADifference
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Vol. 1 - 'cuz he's black'

cuz he's black

Voicemails to My Future Self

Dear Future Self

Javon Johnson is an American spoken word poet, writer, and professor who’s performance of his poem cuz he’s black went viral in 2013.

The importance of the poem remains clear and critical:

It’s how poor black boys are treated as problems well before we’re treated as people.

Javon Johnson

From poem to film

Based on his poem cuz he’s black, Voicemails to My Future Self: Vol 1 reveals the struggle Javon faces in teaching his young, black nephew about the complexities of interacting with the police. It’s a challenge that could define his generation. 

No room exists to play safe in the middle. We have two choices. Accept inequality or join the struggle against it. We choose to fight back. We stand against police brutality and systemic racism within law enforcement. 

Black boys in this country cannot afford to play cops and robbers if we're always considered the latter.

Javon Johnson

Be black. Be a boy. Have fun.

Official Selection - Las Vegas Black Film Festival

Best in Show - American Advertising Awards Triangle

Mosaic Award for Diversity - American Advertising Awards Triangle

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Award of Merit - Best Shorts Competition

Best Sound Design - National American Advertising Awards

'Highly Commended' - The Drum's 2022 Chip Shop Awards

It scares me to know that he, like so many black boys, is getting ready for a war I can't prepare him for.

Javon Johnson

Thanks to our crew

Terry O’Deen - Vehicle Rigging, Ish Abdelkhalek - Grip, Piper Kessler - Sound Engineer, Barry Davis - Driver, Taj Valentine - Production Assistant, Jordan Gibson - BTS Photographer, Meredith Schmidt - Animal Handler, Detrick Clark - Locations Manager, SVP Audio Post - Eric Johnson, Sound Producer - Aurelia Belfield, Sound Design & Mix - Willie Elias, CAS, Assistant, Sound Design & Mix - Darian Erickson, BMG Production Music - Music

Special Thanks to: Walt Wolfra, Lorri Bingham, Summit Collective, Sunset Lighting & Grip, DHIC, City of Raleigh

Credits

  • Directors

    Javon Johnson + Max Zampieri

  • Writer

    Javon Johnson

  • Producer

    Drew Grimes

  • "TJ"

    Amir Valentine

  • 1st Assistant Director

    Melissa Douglas

  • Director of Photography

    Max Zampieri

  • 1st Assistant Camera

    Ryan Shackleford

  • Grip

    Ish Abdelkhalek

  • Color Grade

    Trayvion Biddle

  • Motion Design

    Alejandro Lechuga

  • Audio Post

    Trailblazer Studios

  • Executive Producers

    Alysse Campbell, Will Feichter, + Jedidiah Gant