To say the cast brought Between the World and Me to life, would be an understatement. Cast members immersed themselves completely into stories that included Coates’ vivid encounter with Prince George’s County police, the time he shared a blunt with a love interest sporting long flowing dreadlocks, and his description of institutional slavery (masterfully executed by Whitfield).
“It was amazing,” said Shirley Carpenter, a native New Yorker, who currently resides in Atlanta. “I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was absolutely captivating.”
The Davis Bozeman Law Firm was also on hand and responsible for a community effort that sponsored seats for 500 school-aged students and provided each with a copy of the book. Attorney Mawuli Davis, a managing partner at the firm and also co-founder of The Black Man Lab — a weekly conversation between community leaders and young Black males — led an initiative to raise awareness about the show, and Coates’ book was discussed during weekly forums.
“We [wanted] to engage young people in this important cultural moment for the city,” Davis said. “Our hope is that this powerful artistic expression will inspire these young people to engage in social justice work and affirm their own lives matter.”
Davis’ law partner, attorney Robert Bozeman, agreed. “The Davis Bozeman Law Firm is a community-based law firm and our engagement and support of this amazing work of art was a must. It is our duty to provide our children every opportunity to experience this affirmation of their lives and experiences.”
Between the World and Me will return to Harlem, New York, from Oct. 25-28 for an encore performance, until further notice.
