Reckon reporter Daric L. Cottingham spoke with Kokomo City director/producer D. Smith in January at Sundance 2023 to discuss her motivation in making a full-length documentary on the relationship between Black trans women and the broader Black community. The Grammy-nominated producer turned director, who was shunned by the music industry after she came out as trans, discusses moving from working in the music industry into the film industry with her directorial debut. She also shares the goal of Kokomo City and that, at its core, it is a Black film for our community to heal division.

The documentary is a raw depiction of the lives of four Black trans sex workers as they confront the dichotomy between the Black community and themselves. Kokomo City’s authenticity and beautifully shot black & white aesthetic, with its on-camera talent and Smith’s directorial eye, has led to the documentary receiving acclaim across the film festival circuit.

Kokomo City premieres in theaters Friday, July 28, 2023.