Kemba
Streaming On
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 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.
Kemba is now available to watch on BET+ in North America, Amazon Prime Video in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Australia, and Tubi in Mexico.
Nesta Cooper
Siddiq Saunderson
Sean Patrick Thomas
Michelle Hurd
Kelley Kali
Director
Christine Swanson
Writer
Rob Pfaltzgraff, p.g.a
Producer
Lana Link, p.g.a
Producer
Stacey Parks, p.g.a
Producer
Nick Reid
Executive Producer
Kemba Smith
Executive Producer
Constance Orlando
Executive Producer
Maureen Guthman
Executive Producer
Take Action
Book your screening of 'Kemba' today and be part of the movement for change. Whether it’s a small gathering in your living room, a community center event, or an academic forum, your screening will help spark the critical conversations our society needs.
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Cast
Nesta Cooper
Kemba
Siddiq Saunderson
Khalif
Sean Patrick Thomas
Gus Smith
Michelle Hurd
Odessa Smith
Crew
Kelley Kali
Director
Christine Swanson
Writer
Rob Pfaltzgraff, p.g.a
Producer
Lana Link, p.g.a
Producer
Stacey Parks, p.g.a
Producer
Based On The Life Story Of Kemba Smith
Kemba is based on the life story of Kemba Smith Pradia, who also serves as an executive producer on the film.
Kemba is a presidential clemency recipient, criminal justice consultant, advocate, public speaker, and author of Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story. Previously, she was a member of the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission and the Virginia Parole Board appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe and Governor Ralph Northam, respectively. Kemba also frequently liaises and advises senior officials from state houses to the White House and United Nations.
In addition, Kemba is the founder of The Kemba Smith Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness on today’s most important social issues facing youth and women—including drug abuse, policy and sentencing, domestic violence, law enforcement and policing in black communities, voter empowerment, and mass incarceration and the impact on families.
