Before 1619: She Took Justice

Before 1619: She Took Justice follows Gloria J. Browne-Marshall to Angola, where her search for Queen Nzinga becomes a personal journey of discovery and connection.

Directing Before 1619: She Took Justice was a life-changing experience for me. I set out to follow Gloria J. Browne-Marshall on her journey to Angola, where she sought to uncover the legacy of Queen Nzingha—the first woman featured in her book She Took Justice, which tells the stories of Black women throughout history who fought back against injustice. What I discovered along the way transformed me. Not only did I learn about Queen Nzingha through the voices of the people living in the very land she once ruled, but I also gained a deeper understanding of humanity. The warmth and generosity of the Angolan people were deeply moving. Watching Gloria—whose ancestral roots trace back to Angola—connect with the land and its people was powerful. This journey deepened my appreciation for cultural resilience and left me with a renewed and profound love for humanity. I hope this story touches those who see it as profoundly as it touched me while making it.