Newspaper:  Los Angeles Sentinel 

Bill Duke production sponsored by Brotherhood Crusade and Center for the Empowerment of Families

Approximately 100 people turned out for the screening of “Faces of HIV”, a documentary on HIV and men on the “down low”, Thursday, March 27, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. Produced by Actor/Director Bill Duke, the event was a successful mix of men and women of all ages, income levels and professions.

Because HIV/AIDS is running rampant in the African American community, Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO Charisse Bremond Weaver has committed to showing this documentary to middle schoolers and their parents. “Knowledge is power,” she said. “And it is my job to make sure that our parents are equipped with the right information to educate their teenagers, before they become sexually active.”

The Center for the Empowerment of Families (CEF) co-sponsored the event. Led by Founder Dr. Sharon Rabb, the CEF offers education, training and conferences in four component areas: Marriage/Healthy Families, Juvenile, Leadership, and HIV/AIDS Component. The mission of the CEF to empower African Americans and other groups in underserved populations to build and sustain healthy family lifestyles-emotionally, physically, economically, socially and spiritually, that will reverberate throughout their communities. “Our goal is to STOP the Silence, the Shame, and the Stigma that destroys life. Our approach is to educate and to encourage honesty in self and in relationships.”

The screening ended on a high note with open and honest dialogue encouraged during the panel discussion with the audience.

“We have fear about the wrong things,” summarized Bill Duke. “We must have fear about losing life.”

The Brotherhood Crusade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution founded in 1968 to provide necessary resources, program services and a voice of advocacy to traditionally underserved communities. Our mission is to remove and/or help individuals overcome the barriers that deter their pursuit of success and facilitate opportunities for a better quality of life, by promoting health and wellness, enhancing educational opportunities, cultivating economic growth and building community agencies and institutions.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Brotherhood Crusade, please send your tax-deductible gift to: Brotherhood Crusade, 200 E. Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, Ca 90011. Visit the website at www.brotherhoodcrusade.org.