The Book of Negroes Conversation with Aunjanue Ellis

One of the most highly anticipated television productions of 2015 is BET's epic miniseries The Book of Negroes. Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill, The Book of Negroes recounts the resourceful journey of Aminata Diallo, an invincible African slave who secured her freedom during the American Revolution. Brown University is pleased to welcome this universal tale of loss, courage, and eventual triumph with a screening of series highlights and the complete fourth episode.

Aunjanue Ellis '92 recently completed production on Get On Up, director Tate Taylor's biopic of the legendary James Brown. She also appeared in the fourth season of NCIS: Los Angeles, as well as in Lifetime's Abducted: The Carlina White Story. Aunjanue earned a SAG Award in 2011 for her performance in The Help, alongside Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. She'd previously garnered a SAG nomination for her portrayal of Mary Ann Fisher in the biopic, Ray, as well as earning two NAACP Image Award nominations for her roles in Men of Honour and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. Other film credits include: Una Vida: A Fable Of Music and The Mind, The Volunteer, The Taking of Pelham 123, The Hungry Ghosts, Notorious, The Express, Freedomland, Undercover Brother, The Caveman's Valentine and A Map of the World. Television credits include: The Mentalist, Missing, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, True Blood, E-Ring, Justice, and The Practice. Theatre credits include: The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest and Broadway's Joe Turner's Come and Gone.