The Great Debaters has Kimberly Elise in a starring role.
Kimberly Elise . During her career , Elise has appeared in films such as John Q. ( 2001 ) , The Manchurian Candidate ( 2004 ) , Diary of a Mad Black Woman ( 2005 ) , The Great Debaters ( 2007 ) , For Colored Girls ( 2010 ) , and Dope ( 2015 ) . The Great Debaters . The film co-stars Forest Whitaker , Kimberly Elise , Nate Parker , Gina Ravera , Jermaine Williams and Jurnee Smollett .