BECOMING THURGOOD: AMERICA’S SOCIAL ARCHITECT, director Director Aexis Aggrey speaks with WABE FM, A Closer Look with Rose Scott
With a combination of oral history, animation, and evocative sound design, BECOMING THURGOOD brings Marshall’s story to life not as myth, but as a man of action — strategic, courageous, and deeply committed to justice. Through his work, Marshall held the nation accountable to its founding promises, redefined what was possible through the law, and helped move America closer to its highest ideals.
The film traces Marshall’s journey from his birth in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1908 to his formative years at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law to his groundbreaking career as a lawyer championing civil rights and dismantling segregation.
BECOMING THURGOOD: AMERICA’S SOCIAL ARCHITECT includes interviews with acclaimed authors, legal scholars, and family members, who offer fresh insights into the life and extraordinary influence of the man who became known as “Mr. Civil Rights.”
In a recent interview on WABE FM's, A Closer Look with Rose Scott Director Alexis Aggrey discusses working with the family of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to create a new documentary about the pioneering lawmaker. (Maryland Public Television/PBS)
It was important for Director Alexis Aggrey to work with the son and granddaughter of Thurgood Marshall in order to capture his life and legacy accurately. Aggrey’s efforts also unearthed never-before-seen footage of America’s first Black Supreme Court Justice.
The video and stories of the historic figure are all captured in the new documentary, “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect.” The film follows Marshall’s rise from visionary lawyer to civil rights leader and to a pioneering Justice on the United States Supreme Court.
Original Article
About the Filmmakers
Alexis Aggrey (Director/Producer) is a director, producer and founder of The Aggrey Company, a boutique production house based in Washington, DC. With over 20 years of experience across public television, museums, and live events, she specializes in vérité documentaries and community-centered storytelling that elevate underrepresented voices. Her award-winning work includes the Emmy® Award- winning Water’s Edge: Black Watermen of the Chesapeake and the Peabody Award- winning 180 Days series, which premiered nationally on PBS. Aggrey has produced content for PBS, Paramount+, ESPN+, Amazon Originals and for many prominent museums, blending deep archival research with powerful, character-driven narratives. Through The Aggrey Company, she leads a collaborative team dedicated to crafting bold, thoughtful, and socially impactful media.
Travis Mitchell (Executive Producer) is the senior vice president and chief content officer for Maryland Public Television. He joined MPT in 2020 to oversee all content created, acquired, and aired on the statewide public television network's TV channels and digital properties.
Under Mitchell’s leadership, MPT has been nominated for 174 Emmy® Awards and has earned 56 Emmys from The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. As an executive producer, he is a five-time Emmy recipient and nine-time Telly winner. He is the founder of HBCU Week NOW, a multi-platform distributor of content about historically Black colleges and universities.
About Closer Look
Closer Look is a daily news magazine featuring discussion on the key stories and issues affecting Atlanta. Host Rose Scott covers topics both important and interesting, asking tough questions of public officials and experts while sharing the stories of our neighbors to provide context and a sense of place. That means you’ll hear from the biggest newsmakers, but also from folks who don’t often get a voice. Closer Look is not just about Atlanta; it’s a program by, for and of Atlanta.
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