The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.
THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. Despite facing racism and sexism – and grueling working conditions – they were committed to serving their country with honor and distinction. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film stars Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Produced by Tyler Perry, Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig and Carlota Espinosa, the film features an ensemble cast including Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Susan Sarandon, with Dean Norris, and Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey. Based on the article by Kevin M. Hymel, the film features an original song “The Journey” written by Diane Warren and performed by H.E.R., with choreography by Debbie Allen.
ABOUT THE FILM:
RELEASE DATE: In select theaters December 6th and on Netflix December 20th, 2024
DIRECTOR: Tyler Perry
SCREENPLAY BY: Tyler Perry, based on the article “Fighting A Two-Front War” by Kevin M. Hymel published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media
PRODUCED BY: Tyler Perry, Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig, Carlota Espinosa
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Peter Guber, Kerry Washington
KEY CAST: Kerry Washington, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, Jay Reeves, Jeffery Johnson, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Donna Biscoe, Gregg Sulkin, Scott Daniel Johnson, Susan Sarandon, with Dean Norris, and Sam Waterston, and Oprah Winfrey
LOGLINE: The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas in WWII. Given an extraordinary mission and united in their determination, these unsung heroes delivered hope and shattered barriers.
ABOUT THE REAL LIFE 6888:
- In February 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion deployed overseas to England and subsequently to France, making it the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to be stationed in Europe during World War II. The battalion was mostly Black women but there were also women of Caribbean and Mexican descent.
- The 855 women were tasked with breaking a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail. That bottleneck meant that soldiers on the front lines as well as families back home were not hearing from their loved ones.
- Led by Major Charity Adams, the women — working in three, 8-hour shifts — met the challenge of sorting and routing the letters and packages, some with incomplete or incorrect addresses, in buildings lacking sufficient lighting and heat. They were given 6 months for the task yet accomplished their mission in less than 90 days.
- Given segregated facilities that were not up to the same standards as those enjoyed by the white and Black male soldiers, the women of the 6888 used their ingenuity to create their own food hall, hair salon, and refreshment bar.
- The women came up with the motto “No Mail, Low Morale.” The 6888th brought communication and an important uplift in morale and hope to soldiers far from home.
- In 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to award the women of the 6888th the Congressional Gold Medal.
- On April 27, 2023, the U.S. Army renamed Fort Lee, named for a Confederate leader during the Civil War, Fort Gregg-Adams in honor of two Black US Army pioneers, Lieutenant General Arthur Gregg and Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams. The fort’s re-designation honoring Adams makes her the only Black woman in U.S. history to receive such an honor. Fort Gregg-Adams is located in Prince George County, Virginia.
- On November 30, 2018, a monument to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was dedicated at the Buffalo Soldier Monument Park at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
- As of 2024, there are only two remaining members of the 6888th battalion: Fannie McClendon and Anna Mae Robertson. Watch Tyler Perry’s tribute to Mrs. Lena Derriecott King HERE.
Related Links: https://www.blackfilm.com/read/producers-kevin-hart-bryan-smiley-talk-netflix-film-lift-video/
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