HISTORY Presents Rise Up Doc from LeBron James

HISTORY is marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the premiere of the documentary Rise Up: The Movement that Changed America, executive produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson.

Rise Up: The Movement that Changed America will explore the key moments in the Civil Rights Movement that transformed American society, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955 and the Chicago Campaign, which led to the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Premiering Wednesday, April 4, at 10 p.m. on the 50th anniversary of King’s death, the special will demonstrate what it took to translate protest into real legislative change.

Interviewees include Civil Rights Movement activists, politicians and historians such as President Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Doug Jones, Harry Belafonte and Rashad Robinson, executive director of Color of Change. James and Carter are producing for SpringHill Entertainment, and Nelson’s credits include The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution and Freedom Riders.

“We started SpringHill to tell the stories we wanted in our community,” said SpringHill’s James. “It is an honor to partner with Stanley Nelson, who has been such an important voice and artist, on this documentary. There are more and more great productions—both fiction and nonfiction—telling our story. I am really proud of the role Springhill is playing in this moment and appreciate HISTORY giving us this opportunity.”

“We are currently witnessing a young generation rising up to make their voices heard, similar to the journey courageous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement took to create change in America,” said Eli Lehrer, the executive VP of programming for HISTORY. “Through the powerful storytelling of LeBron and Stanley, this film will reflect on the past, providing viewers with an intimate account of the campaigns that resulted in unprecedented legislation, and look toward the future as current activists and politicians continue the path toward change.”

“I’m very excited to work on this film, as these visionary men and women literally changed the course of history,” said co-executive producer Nelson. “This film provides an intimate look at the strategy behind the boycotts, campaigns and marches that came to define the movement.”