OORO: Tyler Perry's War Film A Call to Rediscover Posta Kenya's Lost Glory

There’s prestige aplenty in Tyler Perry’s latest World War II drama, The Six Triple Eight, about the only Black, all-female Women’s Army Corps unit serving in Europe: the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. But it is Kerry Washington as Maj. Charity Adams who commands my attention.

Major Adams leads 855 women on a six-month mission to move 17 million mouldering, rat-gnawed, bloodstained parcels and letters. The movie, with its emphasis on teamwork, dedication, and the impact of reliable communication, deeply resonated with me as a budding communications professional.

The story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black, all-female unit tasked with clearing a massive backlog of undelivered mail during World War II, is a powerful reminder of the importance of communication to the morale of an organization and the morale of an organization being crucial to delivering on the mission.

I watched. I cried. I reminisced about my industrial attachment days at The Postal Corporation of Kenya, Kakamega GPO. The grim-reaping COVID pandemic severely disrupted traditional internship opportunities, with many organizations shifting to remote work models. I was lucky to secure one of the few in-person internships available at Posta Kenya.

Posta Kenya employees at work. /FILE

As a communications and PR student at Masinde Muliro University, my decision to undertake an industrial attachment at Posta Kenya's Kakamega GPO in January 2021 raised eyebrows among my predominantly Gen Z classmates. Many viewed Posta Kenya as a relic of the past – an inefficient enterprise struggling to compete in the era of emails and the rise of tech-savvy private courier services.

But watching the onscreen journey of the cast unfold,  I could not help but draw parallels between their mission and the work postmasters do every day since time immemorial -- often in the background, sorting out parcels to keep the engines of connection and progress running.

Team working in a multigenerational team offered a unique opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. While generational differences presented challenges, they also enriched my overall internship experience at the great Postal Corporation of Kenya.

By the end of my intensive three-month experience, I not only injected a genZ spirit in the offices but also learnt that while communication continues to evolve and shift from traditional to digital tactics to a calculated mix of both, the relevance of postal services continues to show strength and agility when used strategically in logistics and cargo transportation. And all this is evidenced in the Netflix hit film helmed by Tyler Perry.

These lessons not only highlight the parallels between the 6888th mission and the work communicators and courier service providers do but also flow together as a reminder of how different aspects of communication work in harmony. One of the first parallels that struck me was the relentless, round-the-clock effort required to ensure no gaps in the battalion’s mission. The women of the 6888th worked in shifts, around the clock, to process millions of letters within just 90 days. Their dedication ensured that soldiers received messages of hope and connection from home, an essential morale boost on the frontlines.

Similarly, in the world of communications, the work never truly stops. Whether managing crises, aligning stakeholders, or crafting narratives that move audiences, communicators are always "on." It’s a 24/7 responsibility that demands both agility and endurance, especially in today’s fast-paced, interconnected world. Just as the 6888th ensured that no letter was left behind, I watched postmasters work tirelessly to ensure that no parcel was lost or misunderstood.

I saw how critical communication could be, and also how much room there was to improve. Looking back, I realize that consistent communication was the missing piece we needed to maintain alignment and morale. New technology, competition and uncertainty often left staffers feeling disconnected. Much like the women of the 6888th, who worked tirelessly in shifts to ensure no letter went undelivered, the staffers at Kakamega GPO strived to embrace a more structured and proactive approach to communication. This experience was a lesson in the power of constant, intentional messaging, a necessity for navigating change effectively.

One of my favourite scenes in Six Triple Eight is when Major Charity Adams Earley confidently walks an inspecting officer through the battalion’s operations, responding to his scrutiny with an explanation of the thought and strategy behind their work. She made it clear that their processes were meticulous, rooted in strategy, and driven by data.

This moment resonated deeply. In communications, it's common to have external stakeholders bring their perspectives to the table, and collaboration often strengthens the work. However, as a communicator, it’s important to help stakeholders recognize the strategic rigour you put behind effective messaging. From research to competitive analysis to data-driven decisions, communicators balance creativity with expertise to craft narratives that resonate. While outside feedback is vital, understanding the process and relying on your subject matter expertise will elevate the outcome.

It’s a reminder that, just as in the 6888th Battalion’s operations, collaboration is the key to achieving clarity and cohesion. The 6888th Battalion’s success was a testament to teamwork. Over 800 women worked together, processing millions of pieces of mail in just three months. While 800 is larger than any communications team I’ve seen, the analogy holds: achieving scale in communications requires a highly collaborative and coordinated effort. Much like the 6888th Battalion, we relied on the coordination of many moving parts to ensure success.

What fueled the 6888th Battalion’s tireless efforts? It wasn’t just duty; it was purpose and passion. Their motivation came from understanding the impact of their work. A pivotal moment in the film shows Charity finding renewed resolve through Lena, a private grieving the loss of her significant other who was lost at war. This personal connection reminded the battalion, and the audience, that their work was about more than mail; it was about preserving humanity during war.

Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams and Milauna Jackson as Lt. Campbell in "The Six Triple Eight.". /NETFLIX

In the same way, the heart of the Postal Corporation of Kenya has been about touching lives. ‘Six Triple Eight’ is a powerful reminder of the often invisible labour that keeps systems running. The battalion’s story challenges us to recognize the unsung heroes not only at Posta Kenya but in every field of service delivery. In venture capital, these heroes may be the platform and communications professionals who work tirelessly to ensure that portfolio companies succeed post-investment.

The film left me with this question: What stories, messages, and connections are we leaving undelivered? As communicators, we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to bridge gaps, inspire action, and deliver hope. The story of the 6888th Battalion serves as a powerful reminder that every act of service, no matter how small, has the potential to make a significant difference. By recognizing and appreciating the unsung heroes in our communities, we can build a stronger and more connected society.

Ooro George is a Kenyan journalist, blogger, editor-at-large, art critic, and cross-cultural curator. You can reach him via LinkedIn here, through email: oorojoj@gmail.com and on X @OoroGeorge