“Change comes in many forms,” these are the words that Andre Holland’s Huey P. Newton speaks to his father, Walter Newton, played by television alumnus Glynn Turman, when talking about what it will take to bring change to society.
On Tuesday, May 14th, the Gathering Spot played host to a screening of the Apple TV+ series The Big Cigar. The screening room featured multiple props such as a wicker chair for attendees to take pictures with multiple props. The show chronicles the story of Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, escaping to Cuba following allegations of him murdering a 17-year-old prostitute, Kathleen Smith in the early 70s.
The first two episodes, directed by film and television star Don Cheadle, the title sequence features footage showing the main cast during moments in their characters’ lives, as well as archived footage of the turbulence during the early 70s and late 60s. The opening scene with Holland’s Newton narrating speaks on the contradiction of being free only after escaping America. In the first 10 minutes of the show, we are immediately thrust into the world with Newton and his wife showing up on the door of Hollywood Producer Bery Schneider (played by Alessandro Nivola).
The television series intricately weaves between present-day events like “the escape,” and pivotal moments in Huey P. Newton’s life, including the inauguration of the Black Panther breakfast program and the historic televised phone call with Eldridge Cleaver (played by Brenton Allen) . Through these flashbacks, the series showcases the multifaceted nature of Newton’s character, portraying him as both a militaristic revolutionary and a community advocate and peacekeeper who ardently advocated for education and community empowerment.
Several other key moments are showcased in the first two episodes, such as the opening of episode 2, which begins with the iconic photoshoot of Huey P. Newton in the wicker chair.
The paired episodes evoke visual and story elements reminiscent of a heist film; from the character’s point of view, the ticking clock, to the scene transitions.
Following the screenings, The Gathering Spot hosted a moderated panel by Jermail Shelton, Chief Development Officer and Founder of Just Add Honey, Ryan Wilson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Gathering Spot, and Mike Davis, Commercial Real Estate Advisor. The dialogue centered on the Black Panther Party’s approach to economic empowerment and the broader impact of their initiatives on today’s struggles for equity and justice. Wilson reflected on the Party’s emphasis on self-sufficiency and community intentionality, stating, “It wasn’t just about economic survival—though that was crucial—it encompassed holistic care that was economic, spiritual, and deeply connected to our identity as a people. We still have much to learn and apply from their strategies, especially in how we address current challenges.”
During the panel discussion, Davis highlighted the simplicity and universality of the Black Panther Party’s 10 Point Program, noting that many of the demands made by the Party are basic human rights, particularly salient for the Black community. Davis emphasized the ongoing need for collective action over individualism, a principle that the Party championed and one that still resonates in contemporary struggles for justice.
Davis contributed by speaking to the Black Panther Party’s success in grassroots engagement, particularly in contrast to the dominance of large organizations in the non-profit sector. He emphasized the vital role of smaller, community-focused groups in providing essential services like healthcare and education locally. Davis also noted the overlap between familial responsibilities and community activism, highlighting the significance of every small contribution to these grassroots efforts, “You have rabbis raising their grand babies, your aunties raising you,” said Davis.
“I was really excited to know that we were going to show heroes of mine at least in a format that I’ve never seen before,” Wilson told The Atlanta Voice following the panel discussion on what he was expecting going into the show.
After the screening, David Colquitt, 63, reflected on his childhood memories and experiences related to the Black Panther Party’s initiatives. Witnessing the portrayal of Huey Newton’s escape and the Black Panthers’ community involvement triggered memories from his past, particularly recalling the food program initiated by the party, “When you saw the food program that Black Panthers initiated, I remember all those things,” Colquitt told.
The first two episodes of The Big Cigar will be available to stream starting May 17th on Apple TV+.
