Martin L. King Jr. Holiday Exclusive: How a Historic Photo Serves as Inspiration for Writer of 'Stomp The Yard' Gregory Anderson

Martin L. King Jr. Holiday Exclusive: How a Historic Photo Serves as Inspiration for Writer of 'Stomp The Yard' Gregory Anderson

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- On the eve of the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend, audiences prepare for "Stomp the Yard," which opens nationwide January 12. The film is set against the backdrop of fraternities and sororities at a Historically Black College / University (HBCU).

HBCUs helped African Americans thrive during a time when they weren't allowed anywhere else. Many great leaders including King, are alumni of these schools and black fraternities. This territory was nothing new to Gregory, who is a member of Omega Psi Phi and whose classmates (Producers of "Stomp the Yard") Will Packer and Rob Hardy are members of Alpha Phi Alpha. But, as Greg crafted the story, he soon realized he had to go beyond the surface. As Greg searched for motivation, he came upon a photo that still inspires him to this day.

"I came across a photo and couldn't get it off my mind." The photo is of Hosea Williams, Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King, and Ralph Abernathy on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, a day before King's assassination. April 3, 1968. "Here you have four great leaders, with their own ideals, representing their own organizations, Williams -- Phi Beta Sigma, King -- Alpha Phi Alpha, Abernathy -- Kappa Alpha Psi, Jackson -- Omega Psi Phi, yet they unified under one cause. That's desperately needed in our communities right now, a true sense of brotherhood and sisterhood."

Orville Thomas, member of Phi Beta Sigma (1992), agrees. "We have to get back to family as a community, that's what this photo represents." Noble Sissle Jr., member of Alpha Phi Alpha (1962) sees it as a time gone by. "I hope we can get back to that place, when we had real unity. It is forever relevant." John Ward, Kappa Alpha Psi (1960's) says, "These were men who encouraged honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor." Dr. Louis Robison Omega Psi Phi (1969), looks toward the future. "In order to return to the success of our ancestors we have to have like visions, like minds. Greg's film showcases that. I hope people take heed and get motivated. There's no better time than this holiday."

Source: Fusion Omnimedia

CONTACT: Jocelyn R. Coleman of Favor PR, +1-310-968-5624,
jcoleman@favorpr.com, for Fusion Omnimedia; or R. Zinman,
fusionomnimedia@gmail.com, for Fusion Omnimedia

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