Episode 2: Mama Akua

Proximity, 99% Invisible, and Warner Bros. present the “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast,” an official film companion from the Radiotopia podcast network from PRX.

This episode contains spoilers. Watch the film and come back here to listen to all the fascinating behind the scenes details.

Judas and the Black Messiah producer Ryan Coogler bonded with Chairman Fred Hampton Jr when the filmmakers first approached the Hampton family, asking for their blessing to make the film. It still took 18 months of convincing. The pair talk about the back and forth of presenting the history correctly and honoring Chairman Sr.’s legacy. Host Elvis Mitchell then talks with Chairman Sr.’s widow, Akua Njeri about her take on the process and what the film got right and which details were changed.