FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 3, 2007
Contact:
Erinn Daids or David Johnson, 215.387.2134
Acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua and former gang member Cle "Bone" Sloan to visit West Philadelphia Youth Center
Free Movie Screening and Discussion of "Bastards of the Party"
Philadelphia--On May 7, The Bridge's West Philadelphia E3 Center will host a viewing of one of the most powerful documentaries on gang history to date. Acclaimed feature film director Antoine Fuqua and former gang member Cle "Bone" Sloan will visit the youth center for a viewing and discussion of their HBO documentary, "Bastards of the Party." After the movie screening, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of Fuqua and Sloan and voice their concerns and ideas about the changes needed to save Philadelphia's youth. The movie screening is free and open to the public.
Currently, an inactive member of the notorious Bloods gang, Sloan looks back at the history of African American gangs in Los Angeles and makes a call for change in modern gang culture with "Bastards of the Party." Sloan joined the gang at age 12 and spent his youth shuffling back and forth between the street and prison. Then, with help from football legend and actor Jim Brown, Sloan entered the film business and worked his way up to an acting career. His film credits include such films as "Training Day" and "Tears of the Sun." He has also appeared on Larry King Live, Nightline with Ted Koppel, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua has established himself as one of the foremost talents of his generation. His films include "The Replacement Killers," "King Arthur," "Tears of the Sun," "Bait," and "Training Day," starring Denzel Washington, who received an Oscar® for his performance.
The West Philadelphia E3 Power Center, operated by The Bridge, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation, gives teens who have dropped out of school or are involved with the juvenile justice system new opportunities for education and employment training. The center also offers specialized services for young offenders through its "Welcome Home Center," which provides a variety of mandatory services for young offenders returning to the community from the city's six juvenile placement facilities.
The movie screening will take place May 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3901 Market St. (University Square Plaza) in West Philadelphia. For more information or to attend, please call Erinn Daids or Selena Tucker at 215.387.2134.
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Philadelphia's three E3Power Centers offer skill-building experiences for out-of-school and other disconnected youth that are grounded in youth development theory and practices. E3 stands for Education, Employment and Empowerment. The Centers' service delivery structure is designed to help youth achieve long-term goals in the areas of education, occupational skills, life skills and employment. The Philadelphia Youth Network contracts with youth-serving organizations to operate the centers, each of which offers a schedule of diverse activities that provide opportunities for holistic development.
