—Attorney, Civil Rights Leader, Counselor to American Presidents and Influential Powerbroker’s Life Story Illuminated in New Film—
“Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain” spotlights the life of one of the most groundbreaking and influential African American thought leaders in the United States. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dawn Porter (“John Lewis: Good Trouble”; “The Way I See It”), the one-hour film airs nationally on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020.
The documentary explores the remarkable journey of Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr., from modest origins to national renown as a distinguished, pioneering attorney, businessman and civil rights leader; and as an influential powerbroker and counselor to American presidents spanning the era from LBJ to Barack Obama.
Jordan, 85, a partner at corporate law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and a principal at financial behemoth Lazard, achieved extraordinary success throughout his career endeavors, paving the way for people of color in the realms of business, law and politics.
Appearing in the film are President Bill Clinton, to whom Jordan is a friend and adviser, scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who describes Jordan as “the Rosa Parks of Wall Street,” and a host of other notables.
Through personal recollections, interviews with colleagues, friends and family; access to his ongoing social justice work; and archival footage; the documentary tells the story of Jordan’s early life in the segregated South and residence in America’s first African-American housing project; his service at the nation’s leading civil rights organizations and survival of an assassin’s bullet, and his success in the corridors of power.
Foremost, the film illuminates Jordan’s lifelong dedication and significant contributions to the fight for civil rights and Black economic advancement ― including his participation in a lawsuit against the University of Georgia for discriminatory admissions policies; his work as a field director for the NAACP and director of the Voter Education Project; and his leadership of the United Negro College Fund and the National Urban League.
Tracking his meteoric rise to power and fortune, and the sacrifices he made along the way, “Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain” follows one man’s attainment of the American dream as he achieved success on his own terms.
Watch On Your Schedule:
This episode is available to stream on demand now.
With the PBS Video App, you can stream your favorite and local station shows. Download it for free on your favorite device. The app allows you to catch up on recent episodes and discover award-winning shows.
Extend your viewing with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
Credits:
A production of Trilogy Films LLC, presented by WETA Washington, D. C., directed by Dawn Porter, produced by Miriam Weintraub and Jennifer Oko. Executive Producer for WETA is Jeff Bieber. Funding provided by JustFilms and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
