Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Williams talk GMC TV’s Raising Izzie

Rockmond Dunbar, Vanessa Williams talk GMC TV’s Raising Izzie
by Wilson Morales

July 20, 2012

Coming out this weekend on GMC TV is Roger M. Bobb‘s directorial feature film debut, ‘Raising Izzie,’ which stars and reunite former Soul Food cast members Rockmond Dunbar and Vanessa Williams.

Based on David Martyn Conley’s script, the film also stars Kyla Kenedy and Victoria Staley.

Raising Izzie makes its world television premiere on GMC TV on Saturday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. with encore broadcasts, Sunday, July 22nd at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday, July 23rd at 9:00 p.m. and Friday, July 27th at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ET.

Raising Izzie is the story of two young orphaned sisters and the caring teacher who changes their lives forever. When their mother passes away leaving them without an adult guardian, sisters Izzie (Kyla Kenedy) and Gertie Nash (Victoria Staley) are forced to grow up fast. Afraid her daughters will be separated if they are placed in the foster care system, their mother makes the necessary arrangements for Gertie and Izzie to live on their own, with a bank account, apartment and small on-line business to support themselves. Older sister Gertie takes care of her little sister in addition to working and attending school. For a year, the girls are able to hide their predicament from their neighbors, their landlord and even their teachers. But when Tonya Freeman (Vanessa Williams), Gertie’s new teacher, becomes suspicious, the girls have to come up with a new plan to protect their secret. After Tonya confronts the girls and they confess to their situation, Tonya has to decide how to protect them and keep them together against the will of her husband Greg (Rockmond Dunbar).

While at the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival, Rockmond Dunbar and Vanessa Williams spoke to Blackfilm.com about working together on Raising Izzie.