LeBron James and YouTube Originals have teamed up for a feature length documentary titled I Promise on the NBA superstar’s groundbreaking school in Akron, Ohio.
The project, directed and co-executive produced by Marc Levin, tells the story of James and his efforts to decrease the achievement gap and bring hope to underserved students in the basketball champion’s hometown.
The film premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Festival, and offers an in-depth look at the first academic year inside the I Promise School, through the eyes of the young students who were selected from the lower 25th percentile across the district.
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In the new trailer for the film, James says, “So many kids like myself have dreams. And the only thing to stop those dreams from becoming a reality is the support around them.”
A student in the trailer reveals, “At my old school, the teachers told me that I wouldn’t be able to make it.”
The film was originally scheduled to be released as a series on the now-defunct Quibi streaming service. It was later picked up as a feature-length film by YouTube Originals.
Here’s the official description: “Viewers will get to explore the day-to-day trials, triumphs, and life-changing impact of the school staff, students and families working together in a unique, family-first educational environment that embraces the trauma and challenges many face in Akron. The film offers an intimate look at the school’s blueprint for a new model for urban, public education – a holistic, STEM-focused approach led by love and Social Emotional Learning infused with the LeBron James Family Foundation’s ‘We Are Family philosophy.”
Executive producers on the film include LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron, Nicholas Lopez, Marc Levin, Dan Levin, Catherine Cyr, and Josh Gold. Levin will also executive produce alongside Jamal Henderson, Philip Byron, Nicholas Lopez, Daniel B. Levin, Catherine Cyr, and Josh Gold.
The film is a Blowback Pictures Production in association with RYOT Lab and LeBron James Family Foundation.
I Promise premieres Thursday Sept. 28 at 12pm ET / 9am PT on the YouTube Originals channel.
Watch the trailer below:
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