“Harriet” Co-star Leslie Odom Jr. Covers our 2019 Family Issue

Actor and musician, Leslie Odom Jr. covers the Family Issue of The Quintessential Gentleman Magazine. The Tony and Grammy award-winning talent is best known for his role as Aaron Burr in the Broadway production of Hamilton and has now breathed new life into abolitionist William Still in the Oscar buzzworthy film, Harriet.

In this issue, Odom advocates for the need for motion pictures like Harriet. He suggests the shared responsibility that Black and Brown people must have to break box office numbers in support of these types of projects. Especially of those that tell our story and keep America accountable for the traumatizing bearings that history has created. “Featuring Odom was imperative, his perspective on why stories like Harriet keep us rooted in our truth is the essence of this Family Issue. It’s these types of legendary stories that Black families need to know and pass down in tradition to preserve our history, our voice, and our existence,” said Editor–in–Chief Eric K. Thomas.

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Excerpt:

“We are trying to coexist in a society where our beginnings were subdued to chains and shackles. I never get tired of seeing these films. America needs to stay on the metaphorical couch to tackle the pain that slavery has caused and to pinpoint exactly what it is. There is room for films like Django, 12 Years a Slave, and there is room for Harriet. We may not be able to stomach them all but America needs to stay on this psychiatrist’s couch,” said Odom.

Also in this issue, we explore family traditions with Black Ink Compton star Lemeir Mitchell, make “Waves” with rising actor Kelvin Harrison Jr., and get personal with sportscaster and family man Mike Hill. Read about them and more in the new Winter-Family Issue of The Quintessential Gentleman.