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The Secret Weapon: Yesterday IS Today

The story centers around six teenagers in the spring of 1963 who became a part of one of the most significant demonstrations in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. These six young people joined thousands of others and went “toe to toe” with the legendary “godfather of segregation”, Eugene “Bull” Connor. Some of the children were as young as four years of age; placed into crowded roach-infested jails and hog pens at the local fairgrounds. Dr. King, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and other leaders were cornered on how to get them released. But the youth did not stop until their cries reached the ears of President John F. Kennedy, and the world watched. It was an event that crippled the back of the segregation era and gave power back to the Movement. The children are often called, “The Secret Weapon” of the Civil Rights Movement.

  • Ken Sagoes
    Director
  • Ken Sagoes
    Writer
  • Jay Deitzel
    Producer
  • Karen T. Bolt
    Producer
  • Ken Sagoes
    Producer
  • Roy Williams, Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr."
  • Phrederic Semaj
    Key Cast
    "Rev. Ralph Abernathy"
  • Melvin Ward
    Key Cast
    "Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth"
  • Havon Baraka
    Key Cast
    "John Lewis"
  • Paul Buxton
    Key Cast
    "Eugene “Bull” Connor"
  • Victoria Ogbonna
    Key Cast
    "Nellie Dacus"
  • Kennedy Porter
    Key Cast
    "Rodney"
  • Francis C. Edemobi
    Key Cast
    "Charles"
  • Nicholas Heard
    Key Cast
    "Alvin"
  • Andre Tucker Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Bobo"
  • Shea Boatswain
    Key Cast
    "Shine"
  • Coco Atama
    Key Cast
    "Leon"
  • Vincent Doud
    Key Cast
    "Kyle"
  • Matthieu Jean-Pierre
    Key Cast
    "Billy"
  • Richard Whitney Gardenhire Jr.
    Key Cast
    "Little Michael"
  • Blake Alexus
    Key Cast
    "Little Rickey"
  • Jovon Henry
    Key Cast
    "Obadiah"
  • Geramy Dixon
    Key Cast
    "Ron"
  • Isaiah Harris
    Key Cast
    "Frankie"
  • Jonathan Maduike
    Key Cast
    "James"
  • Tony Nevada
    Key Cast
    "Burke Marshall"
  • Ronan Barbour
    Key Cast
    "John Doar"
  • Gregory Pekar
    Key Cast
    "Mayor Boutwell"
  • James Nevada
    Key Cast
    "Officer Lonny"
  • Christopher Ross Martin
    Key Cast
    "Officer Jake/KKK member"
  • Michael Polak
    Key Cast
    "Officer Craig"
  • Todd Todd Anthony
    Key Cast
    "Malcolm X (voice)"
  • Robert Maffia
    Key Cast
    "Klansman (voice)"
  • Andrew Tyler
    Editor
  • Patrick St. Fleur
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    38 minutes 56 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K UHD
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Ken Sagoes

Ken Sagoes, born in Stockbridge, Georgia, and raised in Atlanta, is an award-winning writer and actor with film, TV, and stage credits.

He attended Kennesaw State University and studied writing and directing under the UCLA Extension program. Sagoes also studied under two entertainment legends, Edmund J. Cambridge and Marlon Brando.

He's a former staff writer with Paramount Television, won a CableAce Award and was a HUMANITAS Prize Finalist for writing and co-starring in Disney Channel's "On Promised Land".

Sagoes has written fourteen plays and over thirty-five screenplays. As a stage actor, he has received several awards, including a NAACP Theater nomination for Ted Lange's critically acclaimed play, "George Washington's Boy".

In film, he is best known for the role of "Kincaid", one of the Dream Warriors in the classic horror films, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, 3 & 4, making him the first African-American actor to survive a major horror film and return for a sequel. He's also known for John Singleton's "ROSEWOOD" as the loveable "Big Baby" and the role of "Darryl" with Martin Lawrence in the hit series, "What's Happening Now".

In 1997, Sagoes founded GBC-Giving Back Corporation, a 501 (c) 3 organization that helps send inner-city youth to summer camp and helps pay for books and supplies for college-bound students. Sagoes has been acknowledged by Governors in Georgia, New York, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, California, North Carolina, over one hundred members of Congress in various states, as well as Dr. Maya Angelou and former President Bill Clinton for his humanitarian work and giving back to the communities across the country. Former Governor Gray Davis of California proclaimed the 25th Day of April 1999 as ‘Ken Sagoes’ Day,’ and received the Los Angeles County of Probation leadership award. GBC also gives an Annual Toast/Roast to honor entertainment pioneers who have paved the way.

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