Participant and Warner Bros. Launch Campaign to Celebrate Chairman Fred Hampton Legacy

The campaign will amplify a more comprehensive history of the Black Panther Party and encourage audiences to support organizers continuing revolutionary liberation work today

Participant, the leading media company dedicated to entertainment thatinspires audiences to engage in positive social change, and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced the Judas and the Black Messiah impact campaign during a summit to promote Warner Bros. Pictures and MACRO’s upcoming film, Judas and The Black Messiah, which Participant and BRON Creative co-financed and executive produced. MACRO is also a co-financier of the film.

In partnership with Participant, Warner Bros., Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., as well as national and Chicago-based organizers, the campaign will educate audiences with a more comprehensive history of the Black Panther Party, connect its legacy to today’s movement for Black lives and empower audiences to join local organizations advocating for Black communities. The announcement was made during a national press summit featuring conversations between the filmmakers, actors, and activists, including Shaka King, Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Marshall Hatch Jr. and more, about the importance of amplifying the Black Panthers’ legacy and the urgency of Chairman Hampton’s story today. The campaign will be partnering with grassroots organizations such as Until Freedom, My Block, My Hood, My City, Maafa Redemption Project, LIVE FREE, among others.

Inspired by true events, Judas and The Black Messiah—directed by Shaka King and slated for release in theaters and on HBO Max nationwide on February 12—tells the story of Chairman Fred Hampton’s rise within the ranks of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and its subsequent infiltration by FBI informant William O’Neal. Judas and the Black Messiah was produced by Ryan Coogler and MACRO’s Charles D. King. Chairman Fred Hampton is played by Academy Award® nominee Daniel Kaluuya and joined by Lakeith Stanfield as William O’Neal.

“In addition to the old axiom ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ Minister Huey P. Newton of the Black Panther Party stated, ‘action is supreme,’” said Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. of the Black Panther Party Cubs. Let this movie not be minimized to only that of millions of words, but serve as an additional mobilizer for the masses, for the movement in the already ongoing protracted struggle for self-determination.”

As part of the campaign, Participant will launch:

www.Liveforthepeople.com, a website that provides educational resources about the history of the Black Panther Party and opportunities for audiences to join in with local organizations advocating for Black communities.
A web video series featuring leading activists of today’s movement for Black lives, equality, and liberation in conversation with filmmakers and cast members, including DeRay McKesson and Pastor Michael McBride and more.
A comprehensive educational curriculum developed by LIVE FREE that will serve as a companion to film screenings and feature editorial reflections, historical references, a discussion guide and resources for audiences who want to organize for social change.
A screening and panel series with surviving Black Panthers, partner organizations and activists to highlight the contributions of the Black Panther Party and amplify the work of today’s movement leaders.

Additionally, the campaign will amplify and support the ‘Save The Hampton House’ initiative, which is a project to rehabilitate the childhood home of Chairman Fred Hampton.

“To progress as a nation, we must also address false narratives about Black activism, including the late Chairman Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers,” said David Linde, CEO of Participant. “We are proud to join Warner Brothers and MACRO in a campaign designed to recognize Chairman Hampton’s crucial contributions as a civil rights leader, as well as the Black Panther Party’s contributions to the ongoing movement for Black lives.”