A true urban drama comes to life in American Violet, opens in theatres on April 17, 2009 “

I did it for my kids,” Regina Kelly said of the Samuel Goldwin Film, American Violet, that was made based on her life experiences as a single mom who was falsely accused of drug dealing. “It’s 98 percent accurate. You never know what you would do in this situation— it was my faith.”

Nicole Beharie

“Everyone has been impacted because of the war on drugs,” said Bill Haney, producer and writer of the power-packed Urban drama, about the subject matter that was the reason why an innocent single mother of four was targeted. “It’s become a war on people.”

American Violet is the story of Dee Roberts who was placed on a raid list by an informant who happens to be the cousin of her ex-boyfriend’s current girlfriend. The raid resulted in an arrest without cause. This was possible because of a law that stated it only took one accusation for an arrest. The arrest sweep was one of many regular raids performed by the small Texas city’s district attorney who wanted high arrest numbers more than he wanted justice.

Roberts was not going to do what most arrested in those situations did and that was to take a plea. For her that would only lead to the loss of federal help she needed for her kids. For the ACLU it was even deeper than that, those raids, arrest and plea deals were taking the right to vote from the people. So with Dee as their defendant, the ACLU (Tim Blake Nelson) sued the district attorney for false arrest, that began a six year journey.

“I was raised by a single mom and my sister is a single mom, so that is a strong point to draw from,” Nicole Beharie said about how she was able to get into character for the role inspired by Regina Kelly. “

“Nicole is tiny but she has a lot of steel and grace,” veteran actress Alfre Woodward said about working with such a newcomer. “She breathed and paced herself— she is going to be amazing.”

Amazing can be said about everyone’s performance from Xzibit to Michael O’Keefe as the Texan District Attorney, who is still wreaking havoc in that small Texas town.

“Everything in the movie is better because of Alfre,” Producer Bill Haney points out. “She added humor and a level of professionalism she infused in the character.”

American Violet made me cry throughout but it also gave me hope that what I see in my hometown may one day give birth to a “Regina Kelly” that will slow down the wheels of injustice before it gets away from us, as a nation. Rated PG, American Violet will be on theaters April 17, 2009.

Ann Nesby does it again with a powerful new CD—‘The Lula Lee Project’

The newest project from Ann Nesby, “The Lula Lee Project,” is hot hot hot! I think she wants to wake us up to the rush that God gives us when we let Him take control. The album, on Time Child/Tyscot Records, features production assistance from Tonex, Herb Middleton (Mary J), J. Isaac (Julez Santana) and Debra Killings (TLC).

Nesby points out that the CD has an urban flavor because, “I had the opportunity to reach out to young producers.” Her message is about love— God’s love is the theme of all of my favorite songs on the album. Songs such as “Sow Love,” a ballad with a powerful message of the Gospel; “Sky is the Limit,” a great story-telling testimony; “Too Late,” a funky/soulful “wake you up in the morning” song; “I Trust You Lord,” which has an awesome choir.

You can hear more on the new CD release at wwwmyspace.com//annnesbyand www.annnesby.com.

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