TUNE IN to FAIR GAME? on TV One - Sunday, January 31, 2010,
7:00 pm EST.
FAIR GAME? is the long-awaited adult-focused companion film to the award-winning BRING YOUR “A” GAME. Revisit this site often for more content, community screening updates, a talk-back feature, and more! Sales of FAIR GAME? will commence March 1, 2010. To reserve your copy now, please contact Denise Blake at agame@21cf.org.

SYNOPSIS: The election of America’s first Black president — Barack Obama — has given many people the impression that the Black man’s struggle for equality or simply the “level playing field” has been achieved. Black men can strive to be anything they choose, and opportunity and the pathway to it has been made free and clear of obstruction. Sounds great, right? However, is it the truth?

Twenty-First Century Foundation (21CF) asks this question and more of a number of prominent Black males from diverse fields in its innovative documentary film, FAIR GAME? Some of the interviewees in the film include Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Dr. Cornel West, Lou Gossett Jr., Hill Harper, Melvin Van Peebles, Tim’m West, and Geoffrey Canada.

Produced in partnership with actor-director Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City, Baadaasss, Panther) and producer Karen Williams, FAIR GAME? is a new tool in the work of 21CF’s Black Men and Boys Initiative (BMB) aimed at shining a national spotlight on the issues affecting this segment of the population.

FAIR GAME? speaks to adults, and enlists Black men to add their voices to the discussion around education, employment, criminal justice, fatherhood and mental health and share their personal stories of success, the setbacks, the preparation, and the sacrifices they made that brought them ultimate success in their fields. It deals with the complexities in the age of Obama and why the ‘Game’ still isn’t fair.

 

Hey Folks,

This weekend, December 5th and 6th, I’m participating in two wonderful events to raise awareness around two different (if related, in some ways) social justice issues: HIV/AIDS Awareness & The Revolutionary Prisoners Literature Fund.

The first event, December 5th, is a mark of Visual Artist and Poet Kevin DaPree Anderson: his monthly He(ART) & SOUL event.  This time the event (usually occurring on 1st Sundays) is a Saturday TOY DRIVE event (unwrapped gift, ages infant to 16). All donations will be given to AIDS Foundation Houston’s  Red Ribbon Toy Drive. There will also be a Silent Auction featuring local artist Regina Agu & Valarie Smith… a great opportunity to collect local art! Kevin is requesting that people step it up a lil bit (style-wise) and represent in variations of Red and Black.

Lastly, invite a friend. I will be a part of He(ART) & Soul’s blazing Open Mic set, which is also complemented by some AMAZING features and friends: DEF JAM POET and Deep Dickollective comrade, ButtaFlySoul (NYC), Hip Hop Soul sensation and “Pick Up the Mic” co-star, Miss Money (Houston), Atlantis Capri, and Urban Soul Dance Company.

Doors Open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm

Rockstar: 2524 McKinney @ Live Oak, Houston 77003

Cost: $7… $5 (with an unwrapped toy donation)

On SUNDAY, December 6th I will be a part of a unique and inspiring all-ages benefit held in Houston for the Prisoners Revolutionary Literature Fund (PRLF). The evening at The Performance Center of The Ensemble Theatre will begin at 5pm and be hosted by Ray Hill, founder and host of The Prison Show on KPFT-90.1FM, and Parnell Herbert, a community activist. The event will also feature dramatic readings of prisoners’ letters by:

Ray Hill, Parnell Herbert, Brother Said,  James West, Phillip Brent, Sr., Tim’m West, Jamilah Hoffman, Alejandro del Fuego, plus conscious/political Hip Hop by Mansa Musa, featuring Angie Joell.

The event will begin at 5pm at The Ensemble Theater, 3535 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 in the Performance Center (entrance Fannin & Berry). Tickets are $20 at the door/ $15 in advance. For information call: (713) 443-4478. Tickets on sale at: Mango’s, 403 Westheimer @ Taft, Dirk’s Coffeehouse on Montrose, between Richmond & Alabama, or from ME directly (limited number).

Refreshments will be served.

www.PrisonersRevolutionaryLiteratureFund.org