PRESS RELEASE: Big Read DC special
MEDIA ADVISORY – 4/14/2010
Contact: Lacy MacAuley, lacy@massey-media.com
(202) 445-4692
“Second Chances”
Big Read DC special focus on juvenile justice for the city read of
“A Lesson Before Dying”
Washington DC –Thousands of Washingtonians will be reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines during April and May for the Big Read D.C. The Humanities Council invites all Washingtonians to “be part of the story” by participating in one of several programs, including “Second Chances,” a 3-day series of events (May 4-6) focusing on juvenile justice. The series is presented by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC in partnership with the Academy for Educational Development, Justice for DC Youth, and Provisions Library.
The focus will include a panel discussion on Thursday, May 6 with R. Dwayne Betts, who published his autobiographical work A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison in 2009; David Muhammad, Chief of Committed Services for the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services; and Shani Jamila O’Neal, Director for Justice for DC Youth.
The series includes two documentary screenings from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series, Independent Lens in May 2009 courtesy of ITVS (Independent Television Service):
May 4 - Sentenced Home, a film by Nicole Newnham and David Grabias. Raised as Americans in inner-city projects near Seattle, three young Cambodian refugees each made a rash decision as a teenager that irrevocably shaped their destiny. Now facing deportation back to Cambodia years later, they find themselves caught between a tragic past and an uncertain future by a system that doesn’t offer any second chances.
May 5 - Crips and Bloods: Made In America, a film by Stacy Peralta. In the southern portion of Los Angeles, a civil war has been raging for more than 40 years. Crips and Bloods: Made in America searches for answers by providing a historical and sociological context for the rise of the devastating gang violence. Narrated by Forest Whitaker. Q&A with Tendani Mpulubusi, Arts Commissioner for Ward 8 and Director of Programs, Helping Inner City Kids Succeed (HICKS); and Ashley Howard former gang member, youth member of HICKS.
All programs begin at 7 PM at the Academy for Educational Development Globe Theater, 1927 Florida Avenue, NW. Admission is FREE. RSVP highly recommended – visit www.wdchumanities.org/bigread2010 . For information call 202-387-8391 or write bigreaddc@wdchumanities.org .
Partners Presenters in the Big Read DC program for 2010 include the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and DC Public Library. Sponsors include Reading Is Fundamental, Verizon, and the NEH. [A full list is available at www.wdchumanities.org/bigread2010 ] The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.
To contact The Advoc8te to submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com
Contact: Lacy MacAuley, lacy@massey-media.com
(202) 445-4692
“Second Chances”
Big Read DC special focus on juvenile justice for the city read of
“A Lesson Before Dying”
Washington DC –Thousands of Washingtonians will be reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines during April and May for the Big Read D.C. The Humanities Council invites all Washingtonians to “be part of the story” by participating in one of several programs, including “Second Chances,” a 3-day series of events (May 4-6) focusing on juvenile justice. The series is presented by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC in partnership with the Academy for Educational Development, Justice for DC Youth, and Provisions Library.
The focus will include a panel discussion on Thursday, May 6 with R. Dwayne Betts, who published his autobiographical work A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison in 2009; David Muhammad, Chief of Committed Services for the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services; and Shani Jamila O’Neal, Director for Justice for DC Youth.
The series includes two documentary screenings from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series, Independent Lens in May 2009 courtesy of ITVS (Independent Television Service):
May 4 - Sentenced Home, a film by Nicole Newnham and David Grabias. Raised as Americans in inner-city projects near Seattle, three young Cambodian refugees each made a rash decision as a teenager that irrevocably shaped their destiny. Now facing deportation back to Cambodia years later, they find themselves caught between a tragic past and an uncertain future by a system that doesn’t offer any second chances.
May 5 - Crips and Bloods: Made In America, a film by Stacy Peralta. In the southern portion of Los Angeles, a civil war has been raging for more than 40 years. Crips and Bloods: Made in America searches for answers by providing a historical and sociological context for the rise of the devastating gang violence. Narrated by Forest Whitaker. Q&A with Tendani Mpulubusi, Arts Commissioner for Ward 8 and Director of Programs, Helping Inner City Kids Succeed (HICKS); and Ashley Howard former gang member, youth member of HICKS.
All programs begin at 7 PM at the Academy for Educational Development Globe Theater, 1927 Florida Avenue, NW. Admission is FREE. RSVP highly recommended – visit www.wdchumanities.org/bigread2010 . For information call 202-387-8391 or write bigreaddc@wdchumanities.org .
Partners Presenters in the Big Read DC program for 2010 include the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and DC Public Library. Sponsors include Reading Is Fundamental, Verizon, and the NEH. [A full list is available at www.wdchumanities.org/bigread2010 ] The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest designed to restore reading to the center of American culture.
To contact The Advoc8te to submit an article or to inquire about advertising options send an email to congressheightsontherise@gmail.com