Jaki Shelton Green

Career and Legacy

Jaki Shelton Green is a celebrated poet, educator, and cultural advocate. In 2018, she made history as the first African American and third woman to be appointed North Carolina Poet Laureate. Upon her appointment, Governor Roy Cooper praised her ability to bring "a deep appreciation of our state’s diverse communities to her role as an ambassador of North Carolina literature," marking her as a key figure in the state's literary and cultural history.

Role in the Documentary

As the child of Civil Rights activists and a renowned documentary poet, Jaki Shelton Green plays a pivotal role in this film, guiding interviews with participants through a lens of creative storytelling, empathy, and deep historical awareness.

Her contributions extend beyond narration—she engages with the subjects on an intimate level, helping to frame their lived experiences within the larger context of history, justice, and the ongoing fight for equality.

Dr. Nishani Frazier, when asked what justice might look like for Civil Rights activists today, described them as "domestic soldiers abused by the systems and people of the United States." She advocates for these individuals to receive the same healthcare benefits as military veterans. Jaki Shelton Green brings this perspective into the documentary, addressing broad questions about the Civil Rights Movement and the individuals who risked everything to change the nation