Creative Cypher and the XL Film Festival credits the powerful impact of the film, Kemba for finally winning freedom for Kemba Smith’s former cellmate, Michelle West.
President Joe Biden announced clemency for West in one of his last official acts on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Chicago audiences who saw the film were incited to action, becoming part of the nationwide cry for justice.
Written by Christine Swanson, based on a true story, the film represents thousands of over-incarcerated people. Director Kelley Kali captures the personal humanity of a vulnerable young woman, shows the complexity of her bad guy boyfriend, and reveals the systemic inhumanity of mandatory sentencing during the so-called “war on drugs”.
XL Fest film curator NK Gutierrez recalls the urgency after seeing the film, “This is a story we have to share, people need to see this and do something about it!”
Ever since her own clemency was granted by President Bill Clinton 24 years ago, Kemba Smith has been advocating for justice for the woman she shared a cell with for 6 years.
Despite the lifelong efforts of West’s daughter Miquelle West, support from prison staff, others who served time with Michelle West, the Eastern Michigan US Attorney and even the family of the man who was killed on the orders of West’s abusive drug kingpin (former) boyfriend, 3 previous U.S. presidents failed to act.
The film Kemba was the turning point, in the same way that media coverage in the 90’s of Kemba Smith’s unjust sentence due to the frequently used and abused prosecution strategy of “conspiracy” sparked public outrage. The film release last year ignited the ongoing #FreeMichelleWest movement.
After Kemba screened at the XL Fest in Chicago this past August, Creative Cypher hosted a second screening on October 30, 2024 in partnership with the City of Chicago DCASE team. In the face of injustice and in the great Chicago tradition of political activism, COMMUNITY showed up. COMMUNITY experienced the power of story, not only through the film but from the post-film discussion with Kemba Smith. She used her platform to uplift the case of Michelle West – and thousands of women who are serving time for the actions of others. Attendees shared and signed the #FreeMichelleWest petition.
Now, twenty-five years after being released from prison, Kemba Smith Pradia has finally received a full pardon from President Biden, which at long last fully expunges her criminal record, and Michelle West’s life sentence was commuted.
Creative Cypher founder Troy Pryor says, “The power of story is the reason we must make space and create resources for Black storytellers. This is not only about owning and benefiting from our creativity, it is about changing the narrative that too often relegates us to second class status.”
Thanks to so many for the Chicago screening that helped lead to this outcome: the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, AARP, Loop Capital, Impact Action Civil Rights Attorneys, WVON, Represent Justice and the fierce public clemency attorney Amanda Bashi. But, most importantly, it is the COMMUNITY spirit of activism that ends the journey to free Michelle West.
Hopefully, the film Kemba – and more to come – will spark an ongoing fire. Because, for so many, the journey continues.
Miquelle West, Michelle’s daughter, put it this way:
“I was only a little girl when my mom dropped me off for school one morning, and never picked me up. That was the last time I hugged my mom outside of prison. I have grown up and lived my entire adult life under the cloud of “mandatory life in prison.” Today, after more than 30 years hoping and advocating every day that her life sentence could somehow be reduced, the clouds have parted. I finally see the sunshine and a bright future for us both. I know there are many people who deserve the extraordinary relief my mom received today. I have met many people in my shoes along this journey – brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, daughters and sons – whose loved ones were sentenced under mandatory and outdated laws. I want to say thank you to President Biden for using his final days in office to right so many of these wrongs. And I want to say to the people who are still hoping and fighting, keep going. Keep trying. Keep hope alive. My mom never lost hope. I never lost hope. And most importantly, we never lost sight of our love and our reason to keep going.”
Kemba Smith Pradia, author, speaker, and a recipient of President Biden’s January 19, 2025 executive clemency, said:
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to President Biden and his administration for their commitment to criminal justice reform and their belief in the transformative power of second chances. I also want to thank the advocates, legal teams, organizations, and communities whose tireless work and dedication have changed lives.
“Even more powerful is the news that after 32 years, my dear friend, Michelle West, has received a commutation and will be reunited with her daughter, Miquelle. Michelle’s journey is a reminder that hope, when paired with determination, can open the doors of possibility—even in the darkest times.
Welcome home Michelle. Long overdue.
ALSO READ:
Third season of Netflix ‘Monster’ anthology series to begin filming in Chicago
