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While there’s no law that prohibits African Americans from walking, talking, driving — simply attempting to live, survive and thrive while Black, for African Americans, the reality and often tragic results of racism, say otherwise. 

As advocates work to hold America accountable for the heinous way that Black people have been mistreated since 1619, Chad Lawson Cooper, a New York-based actor, director, producer and writer, believes reparations would confirm America’s desire to make amends. 

To bolster the conversation, he’s bringing his provocative, off-Broadway play “Justice on Trial†to Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium for one night only on Feb. 1. 

“I was visiting the DMV and sitting in a Cracker Barrel when I was first inspired to write the play,†Cooper said. “It was July 6, 2016 – the day that Philando Castile was murdered by a police officer during a traffic stop. I was the only Black person in sight, and I remember the tears that began to flow and how disheartened I became. That’s when I got the epiphany.â€

Less than a year later, “Justice on Trial†debuted at Medgar Evers College, followed by a two-year stint off-Broadway. It’s the fourth play that has been created, written and produced by The Chad Cooper Company on Broadway – the only Black-owned theater and film company headquartered in Times Square. 

Encouragement from fellow artists gave Cooper the confidence to tour the production.

“I used to be the lead singer for the inspirational vocal group, Soul Tempo, who were featured in the original production of ‘The Preacher’s Wife,’ and the guys kept urging me to take the play out on the road,†Cooper said. “In 2018, I gave in, and we’ve been on tour ever since.â€

For audiences and Cooper alike, touring the show has been rewarding.

“The response has been amazing,†he said. “I like to describe what audiences will experience as ‘edutainment.’â€

Whats ‘Justice on Trial’ All º¬Ð߲ݴ«Ã½? 

The play opens with two civil rights attorneys who have filed a long-anticipated lawsuit against the U.S. Justice Department for reparations to African Americans. Witnesses for the defense include iconic time travelers from Black history’s past like Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Emmett Till, Medgar Evers and Dr. W.E.B. DuBois. They testify, sharing their truths, before a modern-day, multicultural jury. 

One rare aspect of the production that keeps it current and fascinating is Cooper’s decision to change the witnesses. 

In the D.C. production, the witnesses include DuBois, portrayed by his great grandson, Jeffrey DuBois Peck; Tubman, portrayed by veteran actress, executive producer and Cooper’s wife of nearly 30 years, Alicia Robinson Cooper; and Emmett, who’s played by Cooper’s son, Chad II.

“Having a cloud of witnesses from our past was something that I knew was essential to the play,†Cooper said. “And we continue to update it, interchanging witnesses and revising the script so that the production addresses current events. Not much has changed, however, in terms of the mentality of this country. America still has not paid their debt to us – the people who built this country.â€

A Mission and Ministry

At the conclusion of the play, Cooper and his team will present awards to local change-makers

“[These history makers] have dedicated countless hours to promoting Black history and social justice through their businesses, their churches and their careers,†Cooper told The Informer. “We wanted to honor some of the legends from the DMV who have made some good noise.â€. 

Cooper said he remains proud of the production and humbled by the response it continues to receive. 

“We keep things real in this play and some of the exchanges between members of the jury will have folks falling out of their seats with laughter,†Cooper said. “But there will also be times that will bring tears to your eyes. For sure, the play is very interactive. In fact, I remember during one production in the South, a few members of the audience got so angry at the comments made by some of the folks on the jury, that they attempted to come on stage. It gets that intense.â€

Cooper shared what he hopes audiences will take away from the trip.

“When it’s over, we want people to feel that they have witnessed Black excellence. We want people to be encouraged by the stories they’ve heard about Black people from the past, especially those stories they may not have heard before,†he said. 

The multi-hyphenate artist is hopeful for the future. 

“Maya Angelou said, ‘And still, I rise.’ I believe that,†Cooper told The Informer. “ I believe that we will be vindicated and receive all that we deserve. Perhaps not in my lifetime but perhaps during the next generation. Until then, whenever that is, we must keep telling our story and keeping the names of our ancestors alive.â€

“Justice on Trial†is on stage for one night only, Saturday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m., on the campus of Howard University, Cramton Auditorium. For tickets, go to or call 212-786-6460.

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