Christalyn Hampton
Producer Christalyn Hampton is an award-winning director and producer. Her achievements include “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks,” (Peacock/Soledad O’Brien Productions) which earned her a Peabody, Gracie, and Television Academy Honors; the docuseries “Born in Synanon,” for Paramount+, a documentary “Rise and Rebuild: A Tale of Three Cities” (One Story Up and Tribeca Studios), and “Maxine Baby: The Tyler Perry Story” (Amazon Prime). Recently, she teamed with filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir to co-direct the Oscar-nominated “The Devil Is Busy,” a documentary short now streaming on HBO Max, and directed She Was First, a six-episode series for South Florida PBS.
Presentations from Facing Race 2026
FREE JOAN LITTLE tells the story of the 1975 groundbreaking case of Joan Little who was the first woman in U.S history to be acquitted for using deadly force to resist sexual assault. At 20 years old, Joan (pronounced Jo-Ann) Little was incarcerated in North Carolina when she killed a white jailer who she said tried to rape her. Her trial drew international attention, becoming a rallying point for civil rights, women’s rights and prison reform. The case brought together activists, including Angela Davis and Rosa Parks, and catalyzed an international conversation about sexual assault and racial justice that has reverberations to this day. With rare archival footage, contemporary interviews, and the folk anthem that carried her cause, FREE JOAN LITTLE captures the spirit of resistance that made history. The film features Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple) as the voice of Joan and is produced by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Christalyn Hampton (The Devil is Busy) and Bonnie Bertram, in association with Retro Report.
Directed by Yoruba Richen, produced by and produced and Bonnie Bertram, Edited by Hannah Vanderlan, Music Composed by Reggie Dokes, Graphics by Peter Mishara, Executive Producer for Retro Report Kyra Darnton
Featuring Karen Bethea-Shields, Angela Davis, Christina Greene, Larry Little, with Danielle Brooks