Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ledisi has been cast as the ‘Queen of Gospel’ Mahalia Jackson in Ava DuVernay’s new MLK drama, Selma.
According to BlackFilm.com, Selma chronicles the march African-Americans made from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 in order to gain voting rights. The film already boasts an all-star cast including David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King and veteran actress Lorraine Toussaint as activist Amelia Boynton (Robinson).
Jackson used her voice as an instrument of hope during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement. She worked very closely with Dr. King and Ralph David Abernathy and was even contracted by them to sing at a rally to raise money for the bus boycott. Jackson also performed at the famous March on Washington in 1963 and at King’s funeral in 1968 after his assassination.
Selma marks Ledisi’s third major motion picture. She first appeared on the big screen in Leatherhead in 2008 and Leave it on the Floor in 2011. She is currently on tour with The Robert Glasper Experiment promoting her latest album, The Truth.
As previously reported, Selma is being produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Oprah Winfrey along with Bradford Young serving as the film’s Director of Photographer.
What are thoughts about Ledisi playing gospel music legend, Mahalia Jackson?
Photo Credit: EBONY.com