Danny Glover’s ‘STRIVE’ Gets Trailer Release

Harlem-based family drama film ‘Strive’, a new feature film by director Robert Rippberger (7 Days in Syria), starring award-winning actor Danny Glover and Grammy-nominated JoiStaRR is part of the official selection this week at both The American Black Film Festival in Miami, June 14 and the San Francisco Black Film Festival on Sunday June 16.

The film was written by Harlem-native Sha-Risse Smith along with Piper Dellums with music for the film composed by Warryn Campbell, the multi-Grammy-winning veteran Gospel and R&B producer.

‘Strive’ tells the story of Kalani Johnson (Joi Starr), a struggling high schooler who chases her dream of getting into Yale University all while facing the challenging life in the projects and streets of Harlem, New York. With no one but her college counselor Mr. Rose (Danny Glover) by her side, Kalani must push against the world holding her back.

Writer Sha-Risse Smith said, “I wish I had a film like this when I was going to boarding school. I want people to watch this and say, ‘if Kalani can do it, I can too.’ Kalani is the superhero on screen that I wish I was.”

“I’m honored and grateful to have been chosen to play this incredible person,” said actress Joi Starr. “If you’ve ever intentionally went after a dream or if you’ve ever wanted to then there is a little Kahlani inside of you. There’s a little Kahlani in us all. That little voice that says, “don’t give up, you’re almost there.”’ 

After premiering at the Harlem International Film Festival 2019, ‘Strive’ received the “Audience Award” and “Best Actress Award” for Joi Starr’s performance. ‘Strive’ is set to screen at the American Black Film Festival and is part of the San Francisco Black Film Festival 2019 official selection.

Producers for the film are Scott Rosenfelt (Mystic Pizza, Home Alone), Piper Dellums (Disney’s The Color of Friendship), and Tobias Deml, Ace Salvador, and Hiroki Kamada of Prodigium Pictures join Robert Rippberger along with executive producers Eric Eppinger, Wes Hull, Dave Lugo, Chris Chiari, Max Deml, Gerd Grum, William Duke, Guarav Bhatnagar, and Habib Paracha.