Image via Twitter
Actor Jesse Williams — known for his work on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” — will produce and star in a film about the Civil Rights era actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte.
Williams made the announcement about the project yesterday via Twitter and on Denzealot, the podcast hosted by comedians W. Kamau Bell and Kevin Avery:
“I care more about activism and social justice and law than I do about acting. I have an awesome job that I love, but there’s this magnetic force that is constantly pulling me toward activism. I just have to do it,” Williams said in the most recent podcast.
RT @ImRoyal_T: @iJesseWilliams just announced he's producing & starring in the HarryBelafonte biopic on @Denzealots! pic.twitter.com/SRC1C0Jabv
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) March 31, 2016
The actor has become an outspoken activist on various social injustices around the country. His tweets have circulated on to various media outlets, and he was also part of the #JusticeForFlint fundraiser for victims of the Flint, Michigan water crisis, reports Atlanta Blackstar.
Williams has become a popular celebrity activist, ranking highly among others such as directors Ava DuVernay and Ryan Coogler, singer John Legend and actress Amandla Stenberg.
Belafonte has had a multi-decade career that included singing, dancing and acting but was highlighted by his marches alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Even today, the legend has spoken truth to power and taken part in protests around the country.
Uptown Magazine reports that Williams will also be working on two documentaries. One of them will focus on the school-to-prison pipeline. The second will explore the Black Lives Matter movement’s origins and cultural impact. Both will air on BET.
