As we celebrate Black History Month, one film debuting this week chronicles the true story of a small-town murder that galvanized some of today's most respected human rights advocates.

Jeb Stuart's 'Blood Done Sign My Name' is a civil rights drama based on the acclaimed book of the same name by prize-winning author and scholar Timothy Tyson.

The movie recounts the life of Henry Marrow, a 23-year-old black Vietnam veteran who was shot and beaten to death by a prominent white businessman and his grown sons.

Playing a young Ben Chavis, who would later serve as head of the NAACP, is the wonderful actor Nate Parker, whose previous credits include 'The Great Debaters,' 'Pride' and 'The Secret Life of Bees.'

Parker recently spoke to black voices about the movie and his next project, George Lucas' 'Red Tails.'

What attracted you to this film?

Nate Parker: I think the platform of being 30 years old and being in a community and understanding that voice as a student the same way that Dr. Ben Chavis did. It gave me the opportunity to create a model, with the film as a means to create solutions to the injustices we see in the community now. Dr. Chavis stepped into the community as a leading student, and even furthermore to encourage people to know the power they had when they showed solidarity. I wanted to use this to create dialogue about things that are happening in our communities and how we can forge a front against the injustices we see every day.

How did you get involved in the project?

NP: I was called by the director, Jeb Stuart, who is an incredible writer, and he said this was going to be his directing piece. He asked me what I thought about it and gave me the book. After I read the book, I was instantly onboard. I felt like this is right in line with the things I want to do with my platform as an actor. I came right aboard, came to set and we started work immediately.

I know you read the script and the book, but did you meet Ben Chavis prior to shooting the movie to get an idea of what his mannerisms were?

NP: No. That's the thing, I didn't act his mannerisms, I didn't seek to imitate anything about him. I only sought to deliver the truth in his ideals to really get an understanding of who he was and what his motivation was. Henry Marrow, who was his cousin, was killed and he had to ask himself, "Am I willing to sacrifice?" I didn't have the luxury of meeting him until the first cut was nearing completion. We met and we talked, and he encouraged me. It was inspiring.

Meeting someone who was part of that time is something special, but when you're acting it out, do you reflect about how this was happening back in the day?

NP: No, I think more about how it's happening now. Henry Marrow was just one of many brothers who was killed as a result of systemic racism. If you see Sean Bell or Amadou Ahmed Diallo, there are many stories of police brutality that are happening. There are things being swept under the rug. I think as long as that is prevalent and we can agree that there is injustice then we'll always need to do something like this and seek solutions in our past in order to go forward properly.

You've been in other films, you've been part of big ensembles, but for this film you're the lead. How does that feel?

NP: It's a lot of responsibility. It's the platform. If you're on a stage with 10 people, you have a certain kind of voice, and if you're on the stage with two people, you have a different kind of voice. I think being the person that was given the task of trudging along with the responsibilities was a blessing. But I think it's no more important a role than Rick Schroder as Vernon Tyson 'cause he showed the elements of the church, but he also showed how the Ku Klux Klan listed their inspiration as the church, showing the perversity. It's cooperation. No one is more important than another.

How come your high-profile films deal with race? The 'Secret Life of Bees,' 'Pride,' 'Great Debators,' 'Blood Done Sign My Name.' Do you notice the pattern?

NP: Yeah, I've chosen that pattern. The fact that we have the first African American president gives us more of an opportunity to deal with racial issues. If we are to really push forward then we cannot turn our back to the injustices that we face. It is necessary for every person who calls himself an American to understand the plight of other cultures, especially the ones that are suffering the most. Dr. King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to injustice everywhere." I think that I should uphold that as a person using the media platform to educate people on the state of the community. Do I want to do other genres? Absolutely.

What is your role in George Lucas's 'Red Tails?'

NP: I portray a character named Marty Julian, the leader of a group of Tuskegee Airmen that are basically fighting for their rights back home. It's the same tone; it's basically highlighting more heroes who have been swept under the rug. It's an action piece, it's a feel-good movie. It'll feel like a George Lucas movie. There will be certain things that will be evident.

And how was it working with that cast?

NP: It was great; It was incredible working with them. I had the opportunity to work with Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., some of the greatest of our generation, so it was a blessing.

Is that a story that needs to be told?

NP: Absolutely. That's the fabric of who we are as Americans.

The film opens on Feb.19 in limited theaters.