Malcolm D. Lee on Humanizing Black Film, Essence Fest & NBA Draft | To Be Clear Ep. 7

Hollywood veteran Malcolm D. Lee—director of The Best Man, Girls Trip, and Space Jam: A New Legacy—joins hosts Dawn Montgomery and FreddieBTV for a rich episode of To Be Clear. This week, the acclaimed filmmaker breaks down the debut of his new Best Man book trilogy, opening up about filmmaking, black masculinity, and his new boo First up, Dawn and Freddie wade into their Temperature Check with Malcolm D. Lee. Then, the crew tackles Target’s controversial return to Essence Fest—are big brands really supporting Black communities or cashing in on the culture? From viral tweets to emotional gaps in the 2025 NBA Draft, the team explores generational wealth, stoic athletes, and fatherhood in pro sports before diving deep into Malcolm’s personal reflections on masculinity and mental health—a recurring thread across his filmography. Finally, Lee unpacks his new book Unfinished Business, co-written with Jayne Allen, which extends the Best Man saga beyond the screen. For longtime fans of Harper, Jordan, Quentin, and the crew, this next chapter promises deeper emotional arcs and intimate revelations. Malcolm D. Lee discusses how he uses his stories to make it easier for black men to discuss mental health and emotional challenges.