


NOW STREAMING
Explore the life of one of the most influential African American thought leaders.
"Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain" explores Vernon Jordan’s rise from the segregated South, his tenure as the head of several civil rights organizations, and his current position as a partner at a corporate law firm and financial behemoth Lazard. Jordan is one of the most influential African American thought leaders in America.
"Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain" explores Vernon Jordan’s rise from the segregated South, his tenure as the head of several civil rights organizations, and his current position as a partner at a corporate law firm and financial behemoth Lazard. Jordan is one of the most influential African American thought leaders in America.
Film Preview and Panel Discussion
A panel discussion on the life of Vernon Jordan.
Film Preview and Panel Discussion
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain Promo
Explore the life of one of the most influential African American thought leaders.
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain Promo
About the Film
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain
"Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain" explores Vernon Jordan’s rise from the segregated South, his tenure as the head of several civil rights organizations, and his current position as a partner at a corporate law firm and financial behemoth Lazard.
Watch a clipProviding Support for PBS.org
Behind the Scenes
About the Film
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain spotlights the life of one of the most groundbreaking and influential African American thought leaders in the United States. Directed by filmmaker Dawn Porter, the one-hour film explores the remarkable journey of Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr.



From Vernon Jordan’s modest origins to national renown as a distinguished, pioneering attorney, businessman and civil rights leader; and as an influential powerbroker and counselor to American presidents spanning the era from LBJ to Barack Obama. Jordan, 85, a partner at corporate law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld achieved extraordinary success throughout his career endeavors, paving the way for people of color in the realms of business, law and politics.
Through personal recollections, interviews with colleagues, friends and family; access to his ongoing social justice work; and archival footage; the documentary tells the story of Jordan’s early life in the segregated South and residence in America’s first African-American housing project; his service at the nation’s leading civil rights organizations and survival of an assassin’s bullet, and his success in the corridors of power. Foremost, the film illuminates Jordan’s lifelong dedication and significant contributions to the fight for civil rights and Black economic advancement ― including his participation in a lawsuit against the University of Georgia for discriminatory admissions policies; his work as a field director for the NAACP and director of the Voter Education Project; and his leadership of the United Negro College Fund and the National Urban League. Tracking his meteoric rise to power and fortune, and the sacrifices he made along the way, Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain follows one man’s attainment of the American dream as he achieved success on his own terms.
Vernon Jordan: Make It Plain is a production of Trilogy Films LLC, presented by WETA Washington, D. C., directed by Dawn Porter, produced by Miriam Weintraub and Jennifer Oko. Executive Producer for WETA is Jeff Bieber. Funding provided by JustFilms and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
You Might Also Like
Support for PBS.org provided by: