Premiere of ‘Maynard’ is tonight

“Maynard,” the documentary about Atlanta’s first black mayor, will be screened tonight as part of the Atlanta Film Festival. The film’s local premiere is planned for 7 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre (1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta), following a red carpet that starts at 6:30 p.m. See atlantafilmfestival.com/badges for ticket information.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution was the only Atlanta media outlet to cover the New York premiere in November.

“I’m old enough to remember when he first became mayor,” Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning director, editor and producer Sam Pollard said at the New York event. “It was like an astounding thing to see a Southern city elect a black mayor.”

Pollard will be at tonight’s event, as will Jackson’s family members, civil rights hero the Rev. C.T. Vivian and others.

The film includes interviews with former President Bill Clinton, the Revs. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Joseph Lowery, Jackson’s predecessor in office, Sam Massell, and successors Andrew Young, Shirley Franklin and Kasim Reed.

Sharpton attended the New York premiere and shared some thoughts afterward.

“It was unreal that the capital of the Confederacy would elect a black mayor,” Sharpton said. “He was the first black mayor that I know that talked about black folks making money.”

Jackson was elected in 1973 and in 1974 became the first black mayor not only of our town but of any major Southern city. He served eight years and then returned for a third term in 1990, after Young’s time in the position. Jackson played a vital role in bringing the 1996 Olympic Games to Atlanta. His key legacy, of course, is the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at what is now officially called Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.