Light-skinned Jermaine has been quiet since releasing the platinum-certified 4 Your Eyez Only last year. Now we know that he’s been taking his talents to the film room by working on the documentary “Raising Bertie.”
“Raising Bertie” is a POV film about three boys – Reginald “Junior” Askew, David “Bud” Perry, and Davonte “Dada” Harrell and their journey as they come of age over a six year period. The documentary is set in Bertie County, which is a rural African American-led community in Eastern North Carolina. It shows real life footage of their struggles and triumphs.
We all know J. Cole is about bringing awareness to social issues. The filmmaker, Margaret Byrne, also shares the same passion. When asked what the goal is for the film, she told filmmakermagazine.com:
When we started this project I was focused on understanding the complexities of the young men and the community itself.
She continued:
We brought together community leaders, stakeholders, and issue experts to help determine the most strategic way to elevate the public conscious and create a national dialogue around the systemic issues that restrain the achievement of young people like those represented in the film. That is my hope.
Cole joined Byrne and the other executive producers, Gordon Quinn and Justine Nagan, to put the film together. “Raising Bertie” will broadcast premiere on PBS August 28, check your local listings. You’re definitely going to want to DVR this one for discussion. Watch the trailer below.