About Kemba, A film directed by Kelley Kali
Kemba is based on the life story of Kemba Smith Pradia, who also serves as an executive producer on the film.
Based on the true story of Kemba Smith, Kemba follows the journey of a sheltered college student, played by Nesta Cooper, who falls in love with a man only to find out he isn’t who he seems. When Kemba learns of her boyfriend Khalif’s true identity as a drug kingpin, he turns abusive—grooming straight-laced Kemba to overlook his illicit dealings.
Though she never dealt or handled drugs, in a tragic turn of events, Kemba receives an outrageous sentence for her boyfriend’s crimes—placing her in the middle of the government’s “war on drugs.”
Never losing hope, her parents along with an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund launch a campaign for appeal and later clemency, harnessing the power of Black civic organizations, sororities, celebrities, and lawmakers to help free Kemba.
For more information and to receive updates on the film, please visit kembamovie.com
About Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story
In this long-awaited memoir, Kemba Smith shares her dramatic story, as it has never been told. Poster Child: The Kemba Smith Story chronicles how she went from college student to drug dealer’s girlfriend to domestic violence victim to federal prisoner. Kemba shares her story of how making poor choices blinded by love and devotion can have long-term consequences.
Kemba’s case drew support from across the nation and the world. The support prompted then President Clinton to commute her 24.5 years sentence to time served – six and a half years – in December, 2000.
Often labeled the “poster child” for reversing a disturbing trend in the rise of lengthy sentences for first-time, non-violent drug offenders, Kemba’s story has been featured on BET, CNN, Nightline, “Judge Hatchett,” Court TV, “The Early Morning Show;” and a host of other television programs. In addition, Kemba’s story has been featured in several publications such as Emerge, JET, Essence, Glamour, People magazines, The Washington Post and The New York Times.