Vernon Jordan: Make it Plain

Vernon Jordan: Make it Plain profiles a towering figure who helped shape civil rights and Washington politics. The film traces his rise from a modest Atlanta upbringing to national prominence as a lawyer, executive, and behind the scenes power broker. Framed around Jordan's own voice and fresh 2019 interviews, the documentary blends intimate memories with public milestones, offering a portrait of a man who connected local activism to national influence. His mother Mary appears as a guiding force, and his work ethic is tied to a Howard University law degree. The era of civil rights activism and his Urban League years illuminate his impact in the 1960s and 70s.

Directed by Dawn Porter, Vernon Jordan: Make it Plain was released in 2020 as a documentary that relies heavily on Jordan's own 2019 interviews and narration to trace his life and work.

Reception and themes focus on how Jordan operated at the intersection of civil rights, law and national politics. The film frames leadership as quiet practicality, showing how his relationships and strategies helped shape public policy and the governance of DC during pivotal decades.

By foregrounding Vernon Jordan's public and private influence, the film positions him as a conduit between 1960s activism and late 20th century policy making. It invites viewers to consider how one attorney and strategist helped steer civil rights era conversations in government and business.