Queen Latifah’s Newark affordable housing mission takes center stage in new BET documentary

NEWARK, N.J. — Queen Latifah’s mission to build affordable housing in Newark, New Jersey, is the focus of an upcoming BET documentary, You Can Go Home Again.

The film premieres Friday, Nov. 27, at 10 p.m. Eastern, according to a Nov. 6 announcement from BET.

The documentary follows the Grammy-winning entertainer’s yearslong effort to develop RISE Living, a mixed-use housing complex featuring affordable residential units.

Queen Latifah’s Affordable Housing Project Honors Her Late Mother

The project honors her late mother, Rita Owens, whose influence helped inspire the development.

RISE Living stands for “Rita Is Still Everywhere,” a tribute to Owens, a longtime schoolteacher who died in 2018.

The development is located in the Newark neighborhood where Latifah grew up. It reflects her efforts to create housing opportunities for local residents.

According to BET, the documentary explores the personal experiences behind the initiative and the work involved in bringing it to life.

“‘You Can Go Home Again’ is very personal to me,” Latifah said in a statement. “It’s about my community and the people and places that make us who we are.”

She expressed excitement about sharing the story with viewers.

“I’m excited to share the film with BET audiences and invite them into a story that’s very close to my heart,” she said.

Documentary You Can Go Home Again Follows Queen Latifah’s Housing Mission

The film chronicles Latifah’s collaboration with childhood friend Tammy Hammond, who partnered with her on the development.

Their work forms a central part of the documentary, which examines the connection between personal history and neighborhood investment.

Rather than focusing solely on Latifah’s entertainment career, the production follows her efforts to turn the housing initiative into reality.

The documentary traces her early years in Newark, providing context for the development’s personal significance.

Queen Latifah and Tammy Hammond Preview Film in Chicago

BET hosted an advance presentation of You Can Go Home Again on Nov. 4 at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

The event, titled “An Evening with Queen Latifah,” took place ahead of Soul Train Awards week.

Latifah attended with Hammond, and the two discussed the project during a conversation moderated by Damon Jones.

The presentation included clips from the documentary and highlighted the importance of family, housing and neighborhood investment.

When Does Queen Latifah’s BET Documentary Premiere?

Muta’Ali directed You Can Go Home Again, while Shakim Compere and Loretha Jones served as executive producers.

Flavor Unit Entertainment and Procter & Gamble’s P&G Studios co-produced the documentary, with BET handling distribution.

The film premieres Friday, Nov. 27, at 10 p.m. Eastern and 9 p.m. Central on BET.

The network’s press materials identify Paramount+ as a streaming destination.