Queen Latifah is giving back to the community that helped shape her journey to success. The award-winning entertainer is returning to her hometown of Newark, New Jersey, in a new documentary that highlights her mission to bring affordable housing and new opportunities to local families.
Titled You Can Go Home Again, the upcoming documentary follows the hip-hop pioneer, actress, producer, and entrepreneur as she reflects on her upbringing in Newark and her yearslong effort to develop RISE Living, a mixed-use housing complex designed to provide affordable housing options for residents.
The project is particularly meaningful to Latifah because it honors the legacy of her late mother, Rita Owens, who passed away in 2018 following a battle with a heart condition. RISE stands for “Rita Is Still Everywhere,” serving as a tribute to the woman who helped shape Latifah’s values and dedication to her community.
The development represents a reported $14 million investment and includes 76 residential units, with 16 designated as affordable housing. The project also incorporates community-focused amenities and commercial space.
Latifah has explained that making housing more accessible is about giving families an opportunity to live comfortably without having to spend an overwhelming portion of their income on rent.
The documentary also revisits her childhood experiences, her family’s influence, and the importance of remembering where you came from. Through this personal journey, Latifah hopes to encourage others who have achieved success to consider how they can make a difference in the communities that helped raise them.
Directed by Muta’Ali, You Can Go Home Again is co-produced by Flavor Unit Entertainment and P&G Studios. Executive producers include Shakim Compere and Loretha Jones.
The documentary received an exclusive preview on November 4 at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, where Latifah appeared alongside her childhood friend and project partner, Tammy Hammond, to discuss the film and the inspiration behind the housing initiative.
You Can Go Home Again is scheduled to premiere Friday, November 27, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT on BET.
Queen Latifah’s latest project is a powerful reminder that success is about more than personal accomplishments. Sometimes, the greatest legacy is creating opportunities for the next generation and giving back to the place you once called home.
Y’all Know What?! Queen Latifah is showing that you can rise to greatness without forgetting where you came from!
