A new six-part HBO Original documentary series, Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015, will chronicle the continued fight for racial equality in America, picking up where the landmark 1987 series left off. Executive produced by Dawn Porter, known for John Lewis: Good Trouble, the series debuts on HBO on February 25, with all episodes available for streaming on Max the same day.
Inspired by Henry Hampton’s original Eyes on the Prize, this installment examines the period from the late 1970s to 2015, highlighting the individuals and communities who persisted in their pursuit of equity and justice long after the foundational years of the civil rights movement. The series utilizes a similar approach to its predecessor, combining contemporary interviews with archival footage to provide a nuanced perspective on ongoing struggles.
Each episode, directed by a different acclaimed filmmaker, focuses on a specific theme or period. The series premiere, airing on February 25, features two back-to-back episodes. Episode one, “America, Don’t Look Away 1977-1988,” directed by Geeta Gandbhir, centers on community activists in New York and Philadelphia battling housing discrimination and the AIDS crisis.
Episode two, “Trapped: 1989-1995,” directed by Samantha Knowles, examines the impact of the criminal justice system on Black communities, through the experiences of public defenders in Washington D.C. and organizers in Los Angeles.
Subsequent episodes explore the 1995 Million Man March (directed by Muta’Ali), the burgeoning environmental justice movement (directed by Rudy Valdez), the complexities of affirmative action and school desegregation (directed by Smriti Mundhra), and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement during the Obama presidency (directed by Asako Gladsjo).
The series boasts a wide range of featured participants, including activists, politicians, academics, and individuals directly impacted by the events depicted. Notable voices include Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Reverend Al Sharpton, Professor Angela Davis, and Black Lives Matter co-founders Alicia Garza and Patrisse Cullors.
