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EXCLUSIVE: Former NBA player and producer Jarnell Stokes has signed with Zero Gravity Management, which will rep the 2-time Gold Medalist for both on-camera opportunities and production
deals. Stokes has a slate of original projects in development—all related to his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee—his latest being the docuseries, _Memphis and the Mountaintop_, which
showcases the intersection of iconic civil rights leaders, sports and music during the city’s struggle in the late ’60s as the epicenter of the social justice movement. Stokes is partnering
on the project with 10-time Emmy-winning producer-director Daniel H. Forer, music and film producer Vassal Benford, and his brother, Isaiah Stokes, a former Memphis Tigers basketball star.
Also in the works from Stokes is the one-hour political drama series, _Where It Counts,_ which follows a DC councilwoman and BLM leader on opposite sides of social justice as they navigate
the minefield of Washington politics and a mysterious group plotting to start a civil war. Civil and human rights organization Hip Hop Caucus is executive producing the project, along with
Moe Vela, a former political advisor to Vice President’s Joe Biden and Al Gore. Shannan E. Johnson is co-writing with Stokes. WATCH ON DEADLINE Previously announced projects from the
producer include the coming-of-age basketball drama series, _Break the Cycle_, and the dramatic thriller, _Rocky Top College_. Stokes also recently announced his partnership with former
_Simpsons_ EP Jay Fukuto on an animated adaptation of his children’s book, _Wings to Fly_. He’s exec produced the films _Slayers_, _Dig_ and_ Helen’s Dead_ under his Stoked Film Group
banner, also serving as an EP on such titles as Robert Rippberger’s _Those Who Walk Away_, Matthew Greene-DeLange’s _Skelly_ and Vassal Benford’s _BB King: The King of Blues_. Stokes
previously played for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Sioux Falls Skyforce, and Denver Nuggets. He currently plays for the Chinese Basketball Association’s Xinjiang Flying Tigers,
and continues to be represented by Babette Perry at Innovative Artists.