Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and Cirilo McSween conferring

Cirilo McSween the first African American agent hired by New York Life in 1957 and the first to join the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table.

Cirilo McSween with his track teammates running and representing Panama

Rev. Jesse Jackson with Cirilo McSween on the Presidential Campaign Trail (1984) during Jackson run for the U.S. Presidency.

NEWS

GRAMMY WINNER ANN NESBY EXECUTIVE PRODUCES & NARRATES CIVIL RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY ON HIDDEN FIGURE CIRILO McSWEEN

Oscar-Qualifying Theatrical Run Begins February 14 at Atlanta’s Historic Tara Theatre

ATLANTA – Feb. 10, 2025 – Grammy-winning artist and actress Ann Nesby (Queen Sugar, The Fighting Temptations) expands her storytelling impact as executive producer and narrator of CIRILO, A Legacy Untold, a documentary short spotlighting civil rights leader Cirilo McSween. The film begins its Oscar-qualifying theatrical run at Atlanta’s Tara Theatre on Feb. 14, 2025, for a one-week engagement through Feb. 20.

The project arrives as Nesby continues to gain momentum in music, with her latest single, "My Man"—co-written with R.L. of platinum R&B group NEXT—in rotation on XM Radio’s Heart & Soul and iHeartRadio, with national radio expansion underway.

A Civil Rights Figure Who Shaped Economic Justice

Directed and produced by Justin O. Cooper, CIRILO, A Legacy Untold tells the untold story of Cirilo McSween, a Panamanian immigrant who became a key figure in economic empowerment within the civil rights movement. As Chief Economic Advisor for Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), McSween worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Andrew Young, and Ralph Abernathy to secure financial equity for Black communities in the 1960s.

Beyond civil rights, McSween’s economic leadership extended into global diplomacy, where he played a pivotal role in securing the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which returned control of the Panama Canal to Panama—one of President Jimmy Carter’s landmark achievements.

“This film shines a light on an overlooked figure who not only helped finance the civil rights movement but also shaped economic policy and global diplomacy,” said Cooper. “Cirilo McSween’s story is a powerful reminder that economic justice has always been a cornerstone of civil rights.”

A Powerful Voice Behind the Film

For Nesby, stepping into the narrator and executive producer role was an opportunity to amplify McSween’s impact.

"Cirilo McSween’s story is one of resilience, vision, and breaking barriers," said Nesby. "His life’s work helped open doors for so many, and it’s an honor to lend my voice to share his legacy with the world."

Oscar Qualification & Industry Momentum

With its theatrical run at Tara Theatre, CIRILO, A Legacy Untold will officially qualify for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Documentary Short category. Following its theatrical debut, the documentary will continue its international festival circuit, with selections pending from major documentary and independent film festivals. The film, fiscally sponsored by Film Independent, also marks the first theatrical release from JOCMedia & Entertainment, Cooper’s Los Angeles-based production company, which has written and produced industrial and public-facing content for Fortune 100 brands in the insurance industry.

Award-Winning Talent Behind the Film

The film’s creative team includes:

Ann Nesby, a two-time Grammy-winning vocalist, actress, and songwriter, is known as the lead singer of Sounds of Blackness and for her acclaimed stage and screen career. She has worked with Tyler Perry and David E. Talbert and had a longstanding role as Gran Georgeanna in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Her television credits include Queen Sugar, Hap and Leonard, Atlanta, and The Fighting Temptations.

Justin O. Cooper, producer, director, and writer, is also the North American Liaison to the Royal Film Commission – Jordan and has facilitated major Hollywood productions in Jordan, including Aladdin, Star Wars: Episode IX, Dune: Part One, and SEAL Team. Before moving to Los Angeles, Cooper was the spokesman and film liaison for Southern Regional Medical Center in Georgia, where he oversaw physical production for major film, TV, and commercial projects shot at the location, including What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Ride Along and frequently collaborated with the Clayton County and Georgia Film Office.

Jeffrey Gabriel Silva, cinematographer, whose work (Black Monk) has screened at the Chicago Latino Film Festival and Ícaro International Film Festival.

Maverick Turner, Emmy-winning sound designer and senior audio engineer for the WNBA and Big Ten Network.

How to Watch
Screenings will be held at Tara Theatre, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, from Feb. 14-20, 2025.

For tickets and more information, visit taraatlanta.com.

Press Contact
Justin O. Cooper
Director, Producer, Writer -- CIRILO, A Legacy Untold
Email: justin@jocmedia.com | Phone: (404) 803-3006