Chairman Fred Hampton was the leader of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party until his life was cut short on December 4, 1969, when more than a dozen law enforcement officers busted in his West Chicago apartment in a pre-dawn raid. Hampton was shot to death in his bed. He was 21 years old.

His life inspired the new film Judas and the Black Messiah, released February 12, 2021, in theaters and HBO Max. In this official podcast series, produced by 99% Invisible and Proximity Media, in partnership with Warner Bros, we’re looking at the “black messiah” at the center of this film. The REAL story of Chairman Fred Hampton.

Join host Elvis Mitchell as we go behind the scenes with the film’s creators, including director Shaka King and producer Ryan Coogler, who wrote and directed the 2018 blockbuster, Black Panther.

We’ll also talk to co-stars Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, and Dominique Fishback. And, to actual Black Panthers who knew Chairman Fred - including his widow, Akua Njeri. And our number one guide through this series is Chairman Fred Hampton Junior. He was born three weeks after his father’s assassination and has spent his life protecting his father’s legacy.

The “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast” is a production from Proximity––co-founded by Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian––and 99% Invisible, made in partnership with Warner Bros. The creative team includes Archie Davis and Dorado Quick. The production team includes Roman Mars, Christopher Johnson, Abby Madan, and Delaney Hall of 99% Invisible.

The “Judas and the Black Messiah Podcast” is free on-demand to listening audiences via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and where podcasts are available.

Worked directly with Archie Davis (EP) to develop the story and direction of the podcast.