Veteran actor Danny Glover has joined the cast of Strive, a new film from director-producer Robert Rippberger of Aletheia Films.
Written by Harlem native Sha-Risse R. Smith, Strive is a story about an underprivileged girl with a dream of a great education, and a better life. Kalani (Joi Campbell), is a teenager living in Harlem with her older brother Jacob, and her younger sister, Bebe, while her mother struggles to make ends meet.
As Kalani’s siblings get caught in a myriad of hardships, Kalani teeters on the brink of ruin as she struggles to keep both her family and her dream intact. Strive reminds us that hard work, optimism, and perseverance, in the face of overwhelming adversity, is the essence of what it is to be American.
“In character and caliber, Danny Glover is in a league of his own and we are grateful beyond words for him to be a part of Strive. It is an important time for stories about gender, race, and equality and Mr. Glover brings a steady hand to that conversation,” said Rippberger.
“It is such a blessing to have Danny Glover join this already tremendous cast,” added writer Sha-Risse Smith. “To have him involved, with the attentive eye of Robert, leaves me with incredible joy about telling an authentic Harlem story bound to inspire.”
Other cast members attached to the project include record producer, Warryn Campbell and hip-hop artist and writer Joi Campbell.