Filmmakers and D.C. leaders join Comcast NBCUniversal for a special screening and discussion of 'A Most Beautiful Thing'

The West Side of Chicago probably isn’t the first place you think of when the sport of rowing comes to mind. But the film A Most Beautiful Thing, a documentary based on a memoir penned by Arshay Cooper, tells the inspiring story of five men from the West Side experiencing the transformative power of sport, forming impenetrable bonds, and making history as the nation’s first all-Black high school rowing team.

As a native of the South Side of Chicago, this film and story have a special place in my heart, and I was honored to join Representative Danny Davis, Congressman of Illinois’ 7^th district and Co-Chair of the Caucus on Black Men and Boys, and Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University, to discuss themes from the film including the power of community, the effects of trauma, and the importance of representation in sports.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker and Olympic rower Mary Mazzio, executive produced by NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade, and narrated by Academy Award and Grammy-winning artist Common, the film highlights the benefits of privilege, access, and opportunity – and shines a light on the realities of life with barriers to those instruments of safety and catalysts to success.   

In the conversation moderated by Mike Tirico of NBC Sports, Mary, Grant, and Arshay shared pivotal lessons learned during the production of the film, as well as their motivation to bring the story of Manley High’s history-making crew team to the big screen:

Arshay also shared raw reflections on his upbringing and how it’s shaped his journey:

At Comcast NBCUniversal we recognize the importance of and demand for representative and authentic narratives - stories that depict real experiences and feature diverse casts. We are committed to continuing to do our part to bring more inclusive stories to audiences wherever they may be – from the big screen to screens at home.

This summer, Peacock debuted several original documentaries highlighting Black voices and Black stories including ‘Anthony’, ‘The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show’, and ‘Black Boys’, a documentary film that celebrates the full humanity of Black men and boys in America.

I was honored to virtually host this special evening celebrating such an impactful and empowering film. You can watch the entire Comcast NBCUniversal A Most Beautiful Thing discussion here. And, please check out A Most Beautiful Thing for free on Peacock and share your reaction on social media using #AMostBeautifulThing.