Bilal World Entertainment and the National Alliance on Mental Illness Present Confronting the Stigma Film Premiere and Mental Health Event
Chicago, October 10, 2023 – BILAL WORLD ENTERTAINMENT (BWE), in partnership with the NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Step Up For Mental Health®, 1 Million Madly Motivated Moms, Black Men Heal, and Latine Talk Therapy, is organizing a mental health awareness event, in observance of National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at The DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center in Chicago, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CST.
The event, CONFRONTING THE STIGMA: Promoting Mental Health Through Film, Awareness, & Increased Access – to be hosted by Antwon Tanner (best known for his roles on One Tree Hill, Coach Carter, & The Wood) – is centered on the Red Carpet Chicago Premiere of BWE’s groundbreaking film, PERDIDO.
PERDIDO, starring Hannaha Hall (The CHI), Reggie Watkins (Bosch), Harper Anthony (Marvel’s Ironheart), and Eric Carter (NYPD Blue), is a 48-minute film about an African American man who reluctantly seeks therapy from an Afro-Latino therapist after suppressed memories from his past are triggered by a tragic encounter with police.
The event, co-sponsored by NAMI & BWE, will also feature an in-person, interactive panel discussion about the importance of confronting and eradicating the stigma of mental illness that is prevalent in BIPOC communities.
The panelists include Dr. Sheldon Jacobs (Psychologist and Board Member at NAMI National), Chris Rey (International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.), Tansy McNulty (CEO of 1 Million Madly Motivated Moms), Tasmin Sulaiman (Founder/CEO of Black Men Heal), and Dr. Obari Cartman (Community Psychologist).
The panel discussion will be moderated by Muhammad Bilal (writer/director of Perdido and Founder/Creative Director of BWE), and co-moderated by Bree Specific (Radio Host on Power 92.3 FM in Chicago). “This film and the panel discussion following it are stark reminders of why we must eradicate stigma related to accessing needed mental health care in Black/African Ancestry communities,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., NAMI CEO. “We are pleased to be sponsoring this event and to have Dr. Sheldon Jacobs joining this prestigious panel to raise mental health
awareness. NAMI is committed to ensuring access to mental health care for Black/African Ancestry Communities through our Community Health Equity Alliance initiative.”
“It was very important that we premiere this movie on the South Side of Chicago where we filmed Perdido and where I grew up. I wanted to address the stigma of mental health that is prevalent here, especially among Black Men. What better way to do this than to use the transformative power of film to demystify therapy and to encourage Black and Brown men to prioritize their mental health” says Muhammad Bilal, who organized the event with his producer,
Dionna El. “But I didn’t want this to just be a film premiere, I wanted to bring organizations and the community together to increase awareness of, and access to, mental health support.”
Numerous nonprofit organizations will be present to share mental health resources and services with the event’s 445 attendees. Reservations are required to attend this event and should be made online at perdido.eventbrite.com.
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About Bilal World Entertainment LLC (BWE)
Bilal World Entertainment LLC (BWE) is a New York City-based, independent film production company founded by Muhammad Bilal. “At BWE, we believe that film is a visual art form that is not meant to be simply watched, it should be experienced.”
Contact:
MUHAMMAD BILAL
(917) 847-4611
email: bilalworld@hotmail.com
About Step Up For Mental Health®
Step Up For Mental Health’s mission is to support, educate, and provide services to empower families living with the challenges of mental health disorders. We do this by providing a safe place to share stories and find support for others who are dealing with mental health disorders or caring for a family member with a mental illness. We believe that mental health issues impact social issues, including education, homelessness, and poverty. Step Up For Mental Health® strives to match families with resources to help move them toward a more productive life.
Media Contact:
(773) 273-9422
news@stepupformentalhealth.org
