The 4th Annual Greg “Jocko” Jackson Film Festival Presents Freeway Rick Ross’ Documentary

ATLANTA - June 3, 2015 - PRLog -- The Greg “Jocko” Jackson Film Festival, New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy, World Bookings, and the real Rick Ross aka Freeway Rick Ross cordially invite the public out to the Greg “Jocko”Film Festival screening of Freeway Rick Ross’documentary, FREEWAY: CRACK IN THE SYSTEM by award winning filmmaker Marc Levin, on Friday, June 12, 2015, at the Brownsville Recreation Center in Brooklyn, New York. Youth Films will be shown in the morning from 10 am - 2 pm.  A Black Carpet Reception will take place starting at 7 pm, followed by the film screening at 8 pm, and a Round Table Panel Discussion will follow immediately after the screening of the documentary. Guest speakers include Freeway Rick Ross, Mark Levin, Jineea Butler, Maino, King Downing, Esq., and Nyemiah Supreme. In order to win VIP Access, Text Freewayricky to 72727. Winner will be notified via text.

The Greg “Jocko”Jackson Film Festival stresses numerous social issues, such as education, disparity, incarceration, and literacy. With the highest rate of literacy, being the area the screening is taking place, each year the area’s youth are encouraged to get involved with the festival. Through the use of workshops, panel discussions, and film, the Greg “Jocko”Jackson Film Festival promotes community outreach.

Founded by Council Member Darlene Mealy, organized, and planned by a committee of community-based organizations who believe in youth empowerment and community development, the film festival highlights local film and media makers whose work embodies community empowerment, cultural expression, and activism."It is our goal to provide a platform for community youth to showcase their creativity through independent film- making and learn skills that will prepare them for future careers. In addition, we hope to heighten Brownsville’s exposure to the film and media industries and to spur economic activity in our community," says Mealy."This experience allows students to find their voice by using film as a medium of self-expression to share stories of their community and everyday lives."

The festival takes place in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. It serves as a catalyst to promote film education, community engagement, social justice, and economic development through film. The festival integrates programming for both youth and adults with empowering workshops, panels, and film screenings.The educational component of the initiative primarily focuses on engaging and educating young adults about the filmmaking process by partnering schools in Council District 41 with cultural institutions. Schools that have partnered with the festival include Mott Hall Bridges Academy, PS 323, Brownsville Academy, Brooklyn Law and Technology and Eagle Academy at Ocean Hill. Cook Street Housing LLC is a sponsor.

FREEWAY: CRACK IN THE SYSTEM tells the story of Ross' life, broken dreams, drug dealers, dirty cops, and government complicity –more compelling than fiction; it is the real story behind America's drug war. This documentary by award-winning filmmaker Marc Levin (SLAM, Mr. Untouchable, and Brick City) exposes how the infiltration of crack cocaine destroyed inner-city neighborhoods across the country. At the center of it all is the rise, fall, and redemption of Freeway Rick Ross –a street hustler who became the King of Crack –and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Gary Webb, who broke the story of the CIA's complicity in the drug war, and whose story is currently explored in the Focus Features film, Kill the Messenger, starring Jeremy Renner. Featuring exclusive interviews with Freeway Rick Ross (not to be confused with the rapper who took his name); Webb's source Coral Baca, and wife Susan Webb; former Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Roberto Juarez; drug trafficker Julio Zavala and many more. Featuring the original title track “Crack in the System”by Snoop Dogg and Too Short. Visit www.crackinthesystem.com to watch the trailer and learn more about the film.

About Greg “Jocko” Jackson
Greg “Jocko”Jackson was a local basketball star who played briefly in the NBA before returning to his hometown, where he became known as a tireless community advocate and, unofficially, the mayor of Brownsville. Under his leadership, the Brownsville Recreation Center became a haven for children, adults, and the elderly. He made the center a place of peace and nonviolence. Jackson’s legacy of community mentorship and pride lives on through his wife Carmen Jackson, children and the good works that will continue at the Brownsville Recreation Center.

About Marc Levin
Marc Levin is an award winning independent filmmaker who brings narrative and verite techniques together in his feature films, television series and documentaries. Among the many honors for his work, he has won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, the Camera D’Or at Cannes, three National Emmys and four duPont-Columbia Awards. He serves as the director of Freeway: Crack in the System.

About Freeway Rick Ross
Once considered one of the country's top drug kingpins, Ricky Donnell Ross, better known as "Freeway" Rick Ross, has transformed his life and launched the Freeway Literacy Foundation (www.freewayliteracy.org).  Now, instead of building a massive multimillion dollar drug empire, that once earned him $3 million-dollars-per-day, this drug kingpin-turned-philanthropist has turned his life completely around, and he is busy spreading messages of literacy, anti-drug and anti-violence across the United States.

About Council Member Darlene Mealy
New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy has been a member of the Bedford Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn for most of her life. As 41st Council District representative in the New York City Council, she currently chairs the Civil Rights committee, and is an active member of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus. She also serves as the Co-chair of the Women’s Caucus and the Brooklyn Delegation. She serves her district in the spirit of her personal motto, “Let’s Keep Moving Forward!”

Brownsville Recreation Center
1555 Linden Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11212
For information contact:
Tosha Miller tmiller@council.nyc.gov
or (917) 328-9653

Media/Press Contact
Angela P. Moore-Thorpe
APM Public Relations
www.apmpublicrelations.com
angiepr42@aol.com
770-733-2600

Alexandra Mayo, Jr. Publicist
APM Public Relations
www.apmpublicrelations.com
ammayo@syr.edu
734-536-6449

For Booking Opportunities Contact:
World Bookings Talent Agency
323-286-6711
jwallace@world-bookings.com
rallen@world-bookings.com
http://www.world-bookings.com/