CBS is bringing you 13 DAYS IN FERGUSON, a powerful primetime special that delves into the protests, riots, and the aftermath that unfolded after the tragic police shooting of a young Black man in 2014. Tune in on Friday, Aug. 9 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network or stream it on Paramount+ (available live and on-demand for Paramount+ subscribers with SHOWTIME, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*.

The special features Cedric The Entertainer, a St. Louis area native who grew up next to Ferguson, joins his longtime friend, retired lead task force officer Captain Ron Johnson, for a poignant journey. Together, they walk the streets of Ferguson, reflecting on the shocking events that unfolded there a decade ago.

In 2014, the shooting and death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, Jr. by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. sparked widespread outrage, protests, and rioting. Leading the law enforcement efforts to defuse the violence was Capt. Ron Johnson, a Black State Police officer who had strong connections to the community. The Ferguson riots and protests were a significant turning point for a nation grappling with racial tensions, as well as for these two close friends who were deeply affected by the events. The special also features an unprecedented sit-down conversation between Capt. Johnson and Michael Brown, Sr., the father of the victim.

Exactly a decade after the shooting and the subsequent uprising, this special episode takes Cedric and Capt. Johnson back to significant locations, where they reflect on the events that unfolded in a matter of hours, escalating the confrontation between protesters and police and capturing the attention of the entire nation. Their conversations with each other, with Michael Brown, Sr., activists and other key figures in Ferguson, reveal a powerful story of how the community united in a time of crisis.

“The story of Ferguson is the story of America,” Cedric remarks. Now is the perfect time to share this story alongside my friend Ron Johnson. After a decade, we have gained valuable insights, witnessed significant advancements, and can now envision the path that lies ahead with greater clarity. This is Ron’s elegy.

“If I was going to step up to be a leader, then I had to accept whatever came, the good and the bad,” Captain Johnson states. Being a leader is a privilege. People often have strong opinions about leadership, and it is important for a leader to accept and navigate through the challenges that come with the role, as it is a position of great honor. And so, whatever accompanied it, was an integral component of the whole.

13 DAYS IN FERGUSON is a collaboration between See It Now Studios and Bungalow Media + Entertainment, in association with A Bird and a Bear Entertainment. The executive producers of this project include Robert Friedman and Deborah Riley Draper from Bungalow Media + Entertainment, Cedric The Entertainer and Eric C. Rhone from A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, JD DeWitt from Fear Not Productions, and Susan Zirinsky and Terence Wrong from See It Now Studios. Deborah Riley Draper also has experience as a director.