Kat Graham & JWT Atlanta CCO Vann Graves Partner for Powerful Black Lives Matter Video
Spot helmed by award-winning director Darren Genet.
Along with award-winning director Darren Genet, Vann Graves and Kat Graham partnered to create a powerful video for Black Lives Matter titled “At Risk Youth.” This compelling spot calls attention to the senseless killings of innocent African American adults and children. With the tagline, “Wearing a hoody shouldn’t be probable cause,” the video takes us through the hurtful aftermath after a black teenager is shot and killed by the police. For black Americans, one wrong decision, one choice, can turn into a death sentence.
This idea came to fruition when Vann’s wife was pregnant with his son – the same year Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Ezell Ford were killed by police officers. Then, Laquan McDonald and 12-year-old Timar Rice were killed just days before Vann’s son was born. Horrified by the realization that his innocent, beautiful son would be coming into a world that already doesn't value his life, Vann understood that this is not a black / white police officer issue, but an issue on the value of black lives.
The spot tackles the issues of fear and frustration in America head on, and the toll it takes on both the black community and the institution of policing in America.
