| Sat, December 12, 2020 - 6:00 PM | |
| 13+ |
About this event
Just Mercy Film Discussion and Fundraiser
Join the Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation as we host a social justice discussion around the 2019 film Just Mercy starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, and Brie Larson.
Based on the life of lawyer Bryan Stevenson, the film follows his journey to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or those not afforded proper representation. One of his first cases is that of Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite evidence proving his innocence. In the years that follow, Stevenson encounters racism and legal and political maneuverings as he tirelessly fights for McMillian's life.
Our discussion focusing on inequity in the US criminal justice system will be moderated by the wonderful Eric Guzman and take place on December 12th at 6:00pm pacific time. We will be joined in the discussion by the film’s director of photography, Brett Pawlak, as well as one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter Greater NY, Chivona Renee Newsome, and journalist Chandra Thomas Whitfield! Tickets are $10, but additional donations are encouraged to help us accomplish our mission of educating, inspiring, and motivating children through the medium of film. Please watch the film beforehand on your own time and be prepared with any questions you might have!
Stream the film from any of these providers.
About Eric Guzman:
Eric-Antonio Guzman is the leading film programmer at the Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation. Having previously been a member of the 2019 Chicago International Film Festival's programming team, he specializes in showcasing select independent films from around the world. His writings on film can be read at Nerdist, Facets and The Chicago Maroon.
About Chivona Renee Newsome:
Chivona Renne Newsome, the Co-Founded of Black Lives Matter Greater NY, is a civil rights leader at the forefront of the New Civil Rights Movement and former Financial Advisor at New York Life. She has dedicated her adult life to the betterment of ther community & our nation as a whole.
About Chandra Thomas Whitfield:
Chandra Thomas Whitfield is a multiple-award-winning storyteller and communications guru. He work has appeard on NBCNews.colm, Ebony, People, Essence, and The Undefeated among others.
About Brett Pawlak:
Besides Just Mercy, Brett Pawlak has worked on films such as Life Itself, Max Steel, and Short Term 12 in addition to the television programs Edge of Seventeen and This is Us among others.
About the Foundation:
The Dr. Barbra Seniors Harkins Foundation is a non-profit foundation that strives to motivate children to pursue education beyond high school. We believe the way to achieve this is by combining studying with inspirational out-of-school activities. We want to define the next generation of scholars, not only by what they learn in the classroom, but also through their experiences beyond the text books and outside of the traditional learning environments.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. The late Dr. Harkins believed that all children, regardless of race, gender or class, deserved to enjoy the best possible future. She devoted her life to providing underprivileged children with the support and encouragement they needed. Through the Foundation, Dr. Harkins’ legacy of compassion will live on.
Questions? Reach out to: info@barbaraseniorsharkinsfoundation.org
Film Trailer: https://youtu.be/GVQbeG5yW78
