Story of Legendary LeMoyne-Owen College Coach Featured at the Burbank International Film Festival

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - EntSun -- The spotlight is on Memphis sports once again as the independent film "1st Forgotten Champions: The Legacy of Jerry C.  Johnson" by native son Morreco Coleman makes its debut in the Burbank International Film Festival September 10 – 13. The documentary chronicles the life and times of award-winning Coach Jerry C. Johnson, who served for 46 years as the head men's basketball coach at LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC), the only HBCU located in Memphis.  During his career, Coach Johnson led the Magicians to many victories but his most notable one was the 1975 NCAA Division III Championship.  He became the first African American coach to do so and LOC the first HBCU.  Coach Johnson, who is now 102, retired from coaching in 2005 and left a legacy that remains unmatched. The Burbank International Film Festival is virtual this year and the film will be broadcast Sunday, September 13^th only.  The community can help bring home the prize by purchasing tickets to view the documentary. To add to the excitement, the Jerry C. Johnson Foundation is purchasing tickets for the first 100 people to email them at jcjfoundationmemphis@gmail.com. The email must contain the person's legal name, email, and phone number. Only one request can be made per person.

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The Burbank International Film festival began in 2009 in Burbank, California to highlight filmmakers who focus on social and environmental subjects. "1st Forgotten Champions: The Legacy of Jerry Johnson" is in the category of featured documentary and will be competing against six other films. "1st Forgotten Champions: The Legacy of Jerry Johnson" contains interviews with Coach Johnson, other legendary professional athletes and current and past University of Memphis head basketball coaches Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway, John Calipari, and Josh Pastner.  Former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton also shares his thoughts on Coach Johnson and his rigorous basketball program.

Morreco Coleman is a filmmaker, animator, and graphic artist who graduated from Memphis College of Art. He relocated to Los Angeles, CA in 2015 to further pursue his dream. This is Coleman's second film festival feature. "Gansta Walking The Movie" competed in the 2015 Memphis International Film and Music Festival bringing light to the Memphis hip hop-rap and dance culture.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/jcjfoundation1. You can also visit the Burbank Film Festival page directly, https://burbankfilmfest.festivee.com/1st-forgot... (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fburbankfilmfest.festivee.com%2F1st-forgotten-champions%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2-6rhbJni0xFW7h-QHItMeGus-KIHThJkYcbQjXBce9zA5mnmU1DvPCVY&h=AT1_BvL-gs5bWvnUY3rKRn8MPYk2YhOuD8XY45iNU9vx2K2GSVAI-U6L7Yx2fTisSmzH2SUls...).

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