TV Series Produced by Will Smith and Jay-z being filmed in Grenada

01/14/2021

Grenada Railroad will soon participate in an ABC miniseries highlighting a significant moment during the Civil Rights Movement.

Grenada Railroad officials announced Monday that they will participate in ABC Studio’s limited series “Women of the Movement,” a mini-series of six episodes about the life of Mamie Till, who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son, Emmett Till, following his murder in 1955.

According to Grenada Railroad General Manager Trevor Costilow, the rail company will be participating in the filming of moving trains and depot scenes that feature restored, period-correct locomotives and passenger cars. He said filming will take place in several locations throughout North Central Mississippi, including sites in Durant.

“We strive to add value to the communities in which we operate,” Costilow said. “Our support of the film project helps to bring to life a very heartfelt story of a mother’s love for her son and her commitment to improve the lives of so many others. It’s a true Mississippi-based story that helped to propel the Civil Rights Movement.”

Barbara Wilson, RailUSA’s President and CFO said they are thrilled for the opportunity.

“We’re excited to participate in the telling of such an important story of a courageous and strong woman,” Wilson said.

Women of the Movement stars Adrienne Warren, Cedric Joe, Tonya Pinkins and Glynn Turman. The miniseries is directed by Gina Prince-Blythewood. The series was written by Marissa Jo Cerar and is being produced by a team, which includes Jay-Z, Will Smith and Aaron Kaplan.

Preparations for filming began Monday and will continue throughout the week.

About RailUSA, LLC

RailUSA, LLC is an independent freight railroad and rail services holding company headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

RailUSA owns and operates two short line/regional railroads – Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad, which operates between Baldwin, FL, and Pensacola, FL, and Grenada Railroad, which runs between Memphis, Tenn. and Canton, Miss. The company is majority-owned and controlled by Equity Group Investments (EGI), the private investment firm of Sam Zell, and other EGI-led investors.

About Grenada Railroad, LLC

Grenada Railroad, LLC (GRYR) is a short line railroad owned and managed by RailUSA. GRYR operates 228 miles of track, running north/south along the Interstate 55 corridor between Canton, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn. It is strategically positioned with access to six Class 1 carriers: Canadian National (CN), Union Pacific (UP), Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Norfolk Southern (NS), Kansas City Southern (KCS) and CSX Transportation (CSX). Grenada Railroad offers daily interchanges, a fleet of centerbeams and boxcars, fast turn-times, and a capacity of 2,200 storage spots. GRYR’s dedicated management and work force offers the timely and flexible service demanded by today’s fast paced supply chains, while offering the inherent economies of scale shipping by rail providers.