Hey, Lovelies, I’m so glad you landed here! We’re finally in the throes of spring, most days at least! I know we’re all anxiously waiting for #HotGirl summer and all the concerts we’ve maxed our credit cards for. I can gladly say that I secured tickets to Renaissance in Atlanta, GA, yes, I’m one of God’s favorites. In addition to summer concerts, there are so many festivals we have to look forward to. One festival in particular, the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival, deserves some attention. So, let’s get into it!
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival celebrates Black Filmmakers grounded in HBCU culture, students, and alums. The festival highlights pioneers in Black cinema, including actors, directors, producers, creatives, and HBCU graduates.
The festival will take place on October 23, 2023, where six phenomenal student filmmakers will be selected to showcase their films. If you know or know of any talented student filmmakers, please have them apply to this amazing opportunity; our stories need to be told.
As the world remains in pandemonium financially, politically, and socially, we can only hold on to our community, sanity, health, and stories. In my book, those things are non-negotiable, even if we’re in an apocalypse lol.
But seriously, we know how important community is, especially in uncertain times, when you need support, and when you just need folks to lift you up.
This is why I’m so grateful to still be a part of Save A Girl, Save A World, a multi-generational non-profit organization for young girls and college-aged women that focuses on Career & Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy & Wealth Legacy, Health & Wellness, and Lifestyle & Leadership.
Along with so many other young ladies, I have been blessed with many wonderful opportunities as a member of Save A Girl, Save A World, from scholarships to educational and recreational trips, and wonderful mentors.
In conjunction with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, there is an amazing opportunity for HBCU students to enter the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival competition in the Health & Wellness category. The winner will receive $5,000, baby with that much money you can go to every Beyonce concert in North America!
Closing
Storytelling is important to us as a community, especially regarding health and wellness. For so long, others have told stories about us and our health without including us, any nuisance, or including how our history as a people in this country impacts our health today.
Now is your chance to create a film and tell a story about health & wellness that’s important to you.
For more information, please visit HBCU First Look Film Festival.
Be on the lookout for more articles from “SPEAK UP!” interns. If you are or know of any Black college-aged and enrolled women interested in the health and wellness of Black students on HBCU campuses, please visit SAGSAW for more information.
Aravia Patterson, MPH is a 27-year-old SAGSAW/SPEAK Up! Intern and Ph.D. Student at the University of Louisville studying Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences.