Tyler Perry’s new Netflix film, The Six Triple Eight, casts a long-overdue spotlight on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in the United States Army during World War II. The film, which premieres on December 20, follows the inspirational story of these 855 women who processed millions of backlogged letters and supplies to bolster the morale of soldiers overseas while experiencing discrimination and segregation both at home and abroad.
The film centers on the narrative of Charity Adams, the highest-ranking African-American woman in the US Army. Adams, played by Kerry Washington, guides the Battalion through their critical task, which has been largely neglected in military and African-American history.
Some of the project’s contributors find personal meaning in it. Rapper Big Sean went to the Los Angeles premiere with his mother to honor a personal connection: his grandmother was a member of the 6888th Battalion. The team handled almost 17 million pieces of mail in difficult conditions.
“They were fighting their war as strong Black women during segregation, all while fighting for their country,” Big Sean told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m proud of them—not just my grandmother, but all of them.”
The film’s road to the screen began with producer Nicole Avant, who introduced Perry to the story via a brief promotional video. Perry soon met Lena Derriecott King, a battalion veteran who died earlier this year, just before turning 101. Inspired by their talk, Perry created the script in under two weeks.
“She was 99 years old at the time, and I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Perry told me. “But she was direct, clear, and gave me her story. Once I got the facts, the script came out of me.”
Kerry Washington considers the role a career highlight. She had previously shared the 6888th Battalion’s story as part of a Black History Month social media campaign. She was excited to see their legacy brought to life on screen. “To play Charity Adams is the privilege of a lifetime,” she told me. Washington also praised Perry for stretching her artistic boundaries, characterizing him as “a godsend” in her career.
One of Washington’s co-stars, Ebony Obsidian, plays Lena Derriecott King in the film. Obsidian got a rare opportunity to meet King before she died. “She was poised, eloquent, and sharp,” Obsidian explained. “This film is for her—all the stories that must be told.”
The Six Triple Eight is set to be more than just a combat tale. It honors the heroism, resilience, and underappreciated achievements of Black women who served during one of the most difficult times in American history. As the film prepares for global release, it aims to commemorate their legacy and guarantee that these ladies are remembered.
