The National School Boards Association (NSBA) ispartnering
with New Regency, Penguin Books, and the filmmakers to
distribute copies of the acclaimed film, book, and study guide
12 Years a Slave to America’s public high schools. The initiative,
coordinated by Montel Williams, will start to distribute 12 Years a
Slave nationwide in September 2014 in concert with the
new school year. It is modeled against an initiative
Williams launched that ultimately led to distribution
by The Montel Williams Show of copies of the Civil War
film Glory to public high schools.
“12 Years a Slave is one of the most impactful films in
recent memory, and I am honored to have been able
to bring together Fox Searchlight and National School
Boards Association to maximize its educational potential.
When Hollywood is at its best, the power of the movies
can be harnessed into a powerful educational tool. This
film uniquely highlights a shameful period in American
history, and in doing so will evoke in students a desire
to not repeat the evils of the past while inspiring them
to dream big of a better and brighter future, and I’m proud
to be a part of that,” said Williams.
12 Years a Slave is an award-winning film that depicts the
harrowing tale of a New York State-born free black man
kidnapped in Washington, D.C. in 1841 and sold into slavery.
This groundbreaking film won the 2014 Golden Globe Award
for Best Motion Picture – Drama, the Critics’ Choice Award
for Best Picture, the PGA Award for Best Picture, the BAFTA
Award for Best Film and is nominated for nine Academy
Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year.
Williams also has joined NSBA as a celebrity spokesperson in
its Stand Up 4 Public Schools campaign that showcases the
great things happening in America’s public schools. Founded
in 1940, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) is a
not-for-profit organization representing state associations of
school boards and their more than 90,000 local school board
members throughout the U.S. Working with and through our
state associations, NSBA advocates for equity and excellence
in public education through school board leadership.
Source: Business Wire