By Joel Stratte-McClure
LA.com
 
By Joel Stratte-McClure
 
Slain LAPD SWAT officer Randal Simmons was honored by Hollywood on Sunday during a special screening of "The Great Debaters," which recently won the NAACP best picture award, in South Los Angeles.

"The fact that members of both the Bloods and Crips are here together today shows how powerful one man can be in a community," said NAACP best actress Jurnee Smollett after a Q&A in the Athens Park Gym. "Our film also stresses how important one individual can be to get things done."
 
Actor/director Denzel Washington, who won the NAACP best actor award for his portrayal of the Wiley College professor and debate team coach in "The Great Debaters," missed the tribute by BAFTA/LA and a number of community/city/entertainment organizations. But Smollett was joined by scriptwriter Robert Eisele and co-stars Denzel Whitaker, Nate Parker and Jermaine Williams.
 
"My mother grew up here, and it's great for me to be with her to recognize a man who was such an inspirational role model in this community," said Whitaker, 17, who picked up the NAACP's best supporting actor award. "For our movie to be shown on his behalf to help inspire people is a beautiful thing."
 
The gangbangers in the audience seemed to agree.

---

Photo of Jurnee Smollett (at Feb. 9. 2008's NAACP Image Awards luncheon) by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images.