NEWARK, NJ, – Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (“Fathers Now”) has teamed up with The Newark Museum and Gradygirl Productions to present the documentary premier of  “Man Up: The Exploration of a Fatherless Nation” for FREE on Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:00pm at the Newark Museum auditorium. Fathers Now produced this FREE community program in an effort to encourage conversations that rebuild the bonds and responsibility of fatherhood in Newark. “It’s necessary for fathers to hear the hurt from their children as part of the healing process,” adds LaVar Young the director of Fathers Now. “Man-Up uncovers the fatherless epidemic that’s affecting the African American community.” The post-screening program will include a panel discussion featuring film director and executive producer Tonia Grady, music industry executive and author of “Be A Father to Your Child”, Bill Stephney, and Fathers Now Director, LaVar Young.  Newark Museum, Newark Now, Eye Contact Vision Center, Against All Odds Foundation, and FEMWORKS sponsor this program.

 

Man-Up Trailer – http://bit.ly/9GP6x2

 

Location:  Newark Museum, Auditorium, 49 Washington St., Newark, NJ

Date:         Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time:       5:00pm – 6:00pm VIP Reception

                6:00pm Doors Open for general public

                7:00pm – 8:00pm Film Screening

                8:00pm – 9:00pm Panel Discussion

Panelists:

                Tonia Grady

                Bill Stephney

                LaVar Young

 

To purchase VIP tickets or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Erica Knowles at eknowles@newarknow.org.

 

Directed and executive produced by Tonia Grady of Gradygirl Productions, Inc., Man-Up is an uncompromising look at the young lives that hang in the balance of “fatherlessness”. To illustrate the magnitude of this social epidemic you will hear personal testimonies of triumph and devastation as Man-Up navigates through the experiences of growing up without a father and the effects thereof. The documentary gives a face to the voiceless children who suffer and ask themselves the unanswerable “why me?”. Man-Up featured in the 2009 Atlanta Gay Pride film festival and the 4th Annual WIFTI (Women In Film and Television International) Short Film Showcase. For additional information on the documentary on Man-Up, please visit www.manupthedocumentary.com.

 

The Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF) serves fathers in transition – men who have lost their jobs and homes, or who are re-entering the workforce following incarceration and who seek to assume greater responsibility for and contribute to the lives of their children. NCCF has a strong commitment to helping fathers develop a stronger commitment to fatherhood, stronger parenting skills, and stronger employment skills. For additional information on NCCF, please visit www.newarknow.org/fatherhood.html.

 

 

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	Kimberlee S. Williams
	FEMWORKS, LLC
	Phone: 973-494-9705
	E-Mail: kwilliams@femworksllc.com