Whoopi Goldberg hosts private ‘Till’ screening for Black community leaders: ‘It’s imperative that you all carry the story out’

The EGOT wasn’t the only heavy hitter in the house.

Whoopi Goldberg brought out some of the most powerful voices in the Black community on Thursday night for a special private Crosby Street Hotel screening of “Till,” the forthcoming film based on Mamie Till-Mobley’s fight for justice after her 14-year-old son Emmett was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 following false accusations from a white woman.

Actress Angela Bassett, ESPN analyst Jalen Rose, Hollywood producer Barbara Broccoli, fashion pioneer Dapper Dan, Bevy Smith and Harlem’s soul food queen Melba Wilson joined the likes of community leaders and media powerhouses such as Charlamagne tha God, “Washington Week” host Yamiche Alcindor, “CBS Saturday Morning” co-anchor Michelle Miller, Sunny Hostin of “The View,” National Action Network director Dominique Sharpton, Roland Martin, and Essence magazine trailblazers Susan Taylor and Cori Murray.

The families of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Till were also on hand to view the Black influence tastemaker screening of Chinonye Chukwu’s touching chronicle of the stoic mother, who became a civil rights figure following her son’s brutal murder.

Chukwu, who became the first Black woman to win the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance for 2019′s “Clemency,” shared that having Goldberg — who serves as a producer and stars as Till-Mobley’s mother Alma Carthan — in her corner early on was beneficial in her approach to the long-gestating project.

“Never before have I felt more seen and heard as an artist and as a Black woman, than when I first met Whoopi,” the Nigerian-American filmmaker said.

Chukwu said she approached the project with three non-negotiables: first, to recenter the script on Mamie’s emotional journey because “without her, the world wouldn’t know who Emmett Till was.” Second, to “begin and end in a place of joy.” And third, that there would be no physical violence shown on screen.

The producers, including Goldberg, agreed.

The journey for “Till” was nearly 30 years in the making for lead producer and co-writer Keith Beauchamp, who was also on hand for the invitation-only event.

“We need to help people recognize that this story is a story we haven’t heard because of course, there are many great stories about lots of different groups,” Goldberg told the audience. “But we haven’t had anything on Emmett Till. There hasn’t been a comprehensive story. And that’s what this is, and so I’m honored to be part of it.

“It’s imperative that you all carry the story out. Because you know, it could disappear unless people are talking about it and saying, ‘no, no, we need everybody to see this because this could be anybody’s kid, even today.’”

Goldberg playfully downplayed her performance as Till-Mobley’s mother when giving props to the movie’s lead, Danielle Deadwyler, who was not in attendance.

“You know, you have to convince me that you’re telling me the truth. That’s what I needed to know. And that’s what she did... Pardon my French but she’s the s—,” the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner said of her fellow actress. “This is one of the best performances, I think not just been around, but got to watch on screen ever. And it’s kind of phenomenal.”

An Atlanta native, Deadwyler had a breakout role in Tyler Perry’s sudsy Oprah Winfrey Network primetime drama, “The Haves and the Have Nots.” She also starred in the groundbreaking Netflix Black-centric Western “The Harder They Fall,” alongside Idris Elba, Regina King and Jonathan Majors in 2021.

“Till” will have its official world premiere at the 60th New York Film Festival on Oct. 1, and will also screen at the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Hamptons International Film Festival shortly after.

The film, which also stars Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson, Kevin Carroll and Tosin Cole arrives in select theaters on Oct. 14 and a wider release Oct. 28.