Celebrating the legacy of Dr. Betty Shabazz
The Dr Betty Shabazz Memorial Lecture & Award Ceremony taking place at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, honors: Ameena Matthews – violence interrupter, community activist, peace builder and behavioral practitioner.
Hosted by Women In Islam, Darkling Productions (yours truly) will be filming the awards ceremony which “celebrates the example and legacy of Dr. Betty Shabazz annually” recognizing women “who demonstrate their unwavering and courageous dedication to helping others.”
Social Change through Documentary
The Dr Betty Shabazz Memorial Lecture & Award Ceremony is a must attend and Im glad I’ll to be there, having made my first feature documentary Malcolm’s Echo: The legacy of Malcolm X, about her husband Malcolm X. It’s an honor to be filming such an awards ceremony given in the name of his wife Dr Betty Shabazz and I’m looking forward to meeting Ameena Matthews a really deserving 2012 recipient.
She first came to my attention in the documentary The Interrupters, where we follow her street outreach as a violence interrupter in Chicago. I remember seeing her in it on PBS and thinking this chick takes no nonsense and rocks! Come to find out the film was produced by the makers of one of my favourite documentaries Hoop Dreams. Dope film by Kartemquin Films.
So it was a real pleasure editing the video clip (above) where Ameena invites us to celebrate The Dr Betty Shabazz Award with her this sunday Join Her! I also cut in clips from the film The Interrupters where we see Ameena in the mix helping to resolve Chicago’s escalating problem of gang violence. The video shows you why she is an inspiration to many, but come and meet her for yourself; a great example of women in leadership, changing the social landscape.
The award will be presented by Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Dr Betty Shabazz. See you there!
June 24th 3-6pm
Shcomburg Center for Research in Black Culture,
Langston Hughes Auditorium.
515 Malcolm X Boulevard @ 135th Street
New York, NY
The simple phrase, “Find the good and praise it,” handed down to Dr. Betty Shabazz from her mother, became the cornerstone of a life lived powerfully, honorably, sincerely, and provided a winning formula that move her through all of life’s challenges. (Women in Islam)
