‘Kemba’ Trailer: Kelley Kali Directs Bet+ Film Starring Nesta Cooper, Michelle Hurd, Sean Patrick Thomas and Siddiq Saunderson

As exclusively first reported by Blavity’s Shadow and Act, BET+ just dropped the trailer for Kemba, a new upcoming film directed by Kelley Kali and starring Nesta Cooper, Michelle Hurd, Siddiq Saunderson, and Sean Patrick Thomas.

The true story and career of Kemba Smith, a criminal justice reform advocate inspires Kemba. The film is set to debut Feb. 22 on BET+

Here’s the official synopsis:

Based on the true story of Kemba Smith, “Kemba” follows the journey of a sheltered college student who falls in love with a man, only to find out he isn’t who he seems. When Kemba learns of her boyfriend Khalif’s true identity as a drug kingpin, he turns abusive—grooming straight-laced Kemba to overlook his illicit dealings. Though she never dealt or handled drugs, in a tragic turn of events, Kemba receives an outrageous sentence for her boyfriend’s crimes—placing her in the middle of the government’s “war on drugs.” Never losing hope, her parents, Gus and Odessa Smith, along with an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund launch a campaign for appeal and later clemency, harnessing the power of Black civic organizations, sororities, celebrities, and lawmakers to help free Kemba.

Christine Swanson penned the Kemba script. Producers include Rob Pfaltzgraff, Lana Link, and Stacey Parks. Nick Reid, Kemba Smith, Constance Orlando, and Maureen Guthman serve as executive producers.