NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2012
Contact: Lulu Todorov (215.825.8202 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
The Hype Encourages Discussions among Young Women on Dating, Health and More
PHILADELPHIA – In October 2011, teenage girls in Public Health Management Corporation’s Sisters Informing Healing Living & Empowering (SIHLE) Project began producing a weekly talk show for, by and about young women. “The Hype” originally appeared solely on YouTube but beginning May has aired every Thursday at 6PM on Comcast Channel 66. In July, The Hype also launched on ROKU’s iFame channel, streaming to more than 3 million households in the US, Canada and Ireland via the Internet.
The Hype is an extension of the SIHLE Project, which provides monthly healthy lifestyles workshops to help HIV sexual risk behaviors, improve personal communication skills, identify and maintain healthy relationships and promote gender and ethnic pride among African American young women between the ages of 14 and 18.The Hype uses the format of a talk magazine show to facilitate discussions among the girls, their peers and their parents.
“The Hype features youth from the Philadelphia area talking about health and wellness, fashion and beauty, lifestyles and relationships, and current events,” says Tiffany Bacon, SIHLE project specialist. Bacon, a long-time radio personality in Philadelphia, created the program after she overheard discussions that took place during SIHLE lunch sessions. “What kind of program would we be if we didn’t address the girls’ questions?” Bacon recalls thinking. “Look at what a little listening can lead to!”
The SIHLE program reaches 10 to 12 girls in four day-sessions over the course of two weeks. The sessions focus on gender and ethnic pride, birth control education and empowerment, healthy relationships and more. “We try to encourage constant skill building to push the girls to look beyond their current circumstances,” says Akil Pierre, SIHLE project director. “We help them set goals for themselves.” Since the program started in 2010, it has served more than 100 teens and garnered positive feedback from participants, parents and educators.
“My daughter thoroughly enjoyed herself in the SIHLE program, and it opened the door to dialogue on all matters concerning her personal health and lifestyle choices,” says Aliya Vance, whose daughter completed the program in June 2012.
To find a full listing of The Hype episodes, visit http://www.youtube.com/sihlephilly.
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About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org.
