KEMBA

Kemba is a BET Original and MPI Original film based on the life story of Kemba Smith Pradia, who is an executive producer. The film follows Kemba’s journey as a college student who falls in love with a man only to find out he isn’t who he seems. When Kemba learns of her boyfriend Khalif’s true identity as a drug kingpin, he turns abusive—grooming straight-laced Kemba to overlook his illicit dealings. Though she never dealt or handled drugs, Kemba receives a sentence of over 24 years for her boyfriend’s crimes—placing her in the middle of the government’s “war on drugs.” Never losing hope, her parents along with an attorney with the Legal Defense Fund launch a campaign for appeal and later clemency, harnessing the power of Black civic organizations, sororities, celebrities, and lawmakers to help free Kemba. Learn more at KembaMovie.com.

Take Action

  • Clemency for Michelle West

    Despite being a survivor of intimate partner violence, Michelle West is serving life without parole for her first and only offense due to mandatory minimums. Help bring her home!

    Sign the Petition

  • Write to Michelle West

    Complete a short form, and we’ll print and send a letter from you to Michelle. You can also mail a letter directly to her:

    Michelle West #17809-039
    FCI Waseca
    Federal Correctional Institution
    P.O. Box 1731
    Waseca, MN 56093

    Write Michelle

  • Support the Legal Defense Fund

    The LDF played a pivotal role in securing Kemba’s freedom. Learn more about their involvement and see how you can support their current work.

    Support LDF

Urge your legislators to support Michelle West’s Clemency

Impact Campaign

"Kemba" is a fictionalized account of Kemba Smith Pradia, who was sentenced to over 24 years in prison in 1995 due to mandatory minimum drug laws. She was pardoned in 2000. Her story highlights the disproportionate impact of mass incarceration on women, especially women of color, with over 85% of incarcerated women being survivors of abuse.

Represent Justice’s Kemba impact campaign aims to raise awareness and push for sentencing reform, aligning with legislative efforts to reduce sentences for survivors of violence. The campaign will launch with the film's release on BET in 2024.

80%

Over 80% of women entering the legal system have experienced some form of violent victimization - sexual, partner, or caregiver violence.

700%

The incarceration rate for Women has increased 700% since 1980.

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Kemba Smith Pradia
Kemba Smith Pradia

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Screenings

[screenings:kemba]

Featured
Unerased Black Women Speak: Unerasing Incarcerated Women
Unerased Black Women Speak: Unerasing Incarcerated Women

In this episode of Unerased Recorded Live, we speak with activist Kemba Smith Pradia about her life, her film KEMBA, and taking action against the justice system, followed by a powerful conversation with Sheena Meade, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, on the importance of reform and how we can get involved.

NPR | WBEZ Chicago: A new movie tells the story of Kemba Smith Pradia, race and incarceration
NPR | WBEZ Chicago: A new movie tells the story of Kemba Smith Pradia, race and incarceration

Listen to this interview to hear their powerful conversation about justice, resilience, and storytelling.

Kemba Smith's story told in new BET+ film
Kemba Smith's story told in new BET+ film

FOX 5 · Atlanta: Kemba Smith was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for a crime she didn't commit and now fights to help release others believed to be wrongly convicted. Her story of resilience is now a movie, and Smith and Legal Defense Fund advocate Tona Boyd joined Alex Whittler to talk about her experience.

Daytime Columbus: New movie details Kemba Smith Pradia’s journey from prison to purpose
Daytime Columbus: New movie details Kemba Smith Pradia’s journey from prison to purpose

In this episode of Daytime Columbus, Kemba Smith Pradia shares her powerful journey from prison inmate to advocate for criminal justice reform, as featured in a film now streaming on BET+ and premiering on BET on May 29.

On Her Mind: Criminal justice reform activist Kemba Smith joins FOX23 to share how her life story turned into a film
On Her Mind: Criminal justice reform activist Kemba Smith joins FOX23 to share how her life story turned into a film

Now criminal justice reform activist Kemba Smith's life story was turned into a film after being sentenced decades in prison for a crime she did not commit.

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