Newark, NJ February 24, 2010 – The premier of “Man Up: The Exploration of a Fatherless Nation” that was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, at 6:00pm at the Newark Museum has been rescheduled due to impending severe inclement weather. The rescheduled date and time is Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at the Newark Museum auditorium at 6:00pm. Fathers Now produced this FREE community program in an effort to encourage conversations that rebuild the bonds and responsibility of fatherhood in Newark.

Man-Up Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvTmTlkgVi8&feature=related
Fathers Now Electronic Press Kit – http://nw1.enr-corp.com/oneKITDir/1005744/index.html

Man-Up Newark, NJ Premier Events Details
Location: The Newark Museum auditorium, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Date: Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm VIP Reception
6:00pm Doors Open for general public
7:00pm – 8:00pm Film Screening
8:00pm – 9:00pm Panel Discussion

Panelists:
Tonia Grady
Bill Stephney
LaVar Young

More Information:
To purchase VIP tickets or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Erica Knowles at
eknowles@newarknow.org.

About Man-Up Documentary
Directed and executive produced by Tonia Grady of Gradygirl Productions, Inc., Man-Up is an uncompromising look at the young lives that hang in the balance of “fatherlessness”. To illustrate the magnitude of this social epidemic you will hear personal testimonies of triumph and devastation as Man-Up navigates through the experiences of growing up without a father and the effects thereof. The documentary gives a face to the voiceless children who suffer and ask themselves the unanswerable “why me?” Man-Up featured in the 2009 Atlanta Gay Pride film festival and the 4th Annual WIFTI (Women In Film and Television International) Short Film Showcase. For additional information on the documentary on Man-Up, please visit www.manupthedocumentary.com.

About the Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers
The Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF) serves fathers in transition – men who have lost their jobs and homes, or who are re-entering the workforce following incarceration and who seek to assume greater responsibility for and contribute to the lives of their children. NCCF has a strong commitment to helping fathers develop a stronger commitment to fatherhood, stronger parenting skills, and stronger employment skills. For additional information on NCCF, please visit www.newarknow.org/fatherhood.html.

Media Contact: Kimberlee Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705

Source: Newark Now

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 18, 2010 - Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (“Fathers Now”) has teamed up with Newark Museum and Gradygirl Productions to present the documentary premier of “Man Up: The Exploration of a Fatherless Nation” for FREE on Thursday, Feb. 25, 6:00pm at the Newark Museum auditorium. Fathers Now produced this FREE community program in an effort to encourage conversations that rebuild the bonds and responsibility of fatherhood in Newark. “It’s necessary for fathers to hear the hurt from their children as part of the healing process,” adds LaVar Young the director of Fathers Now. “Man-Up uncovers the fatherless epidemic that’s affecting the African American community.” The post-screening program will include a panel discussion featuring film director and executive producer Tonia Grady, music industry executive and author of “Be A Father to Your Child”, Bill Stephney, and Fathers Now Director, LaVar Young. Newark Museum, Newark Now, Eye Contact Vision Center, Against All Odds Foundation, and FEMWORKS sponsor this program.

Man-Up Trailer – http://bit.ly/9GP6×2
Fathers Now Electronic Press Kit – http://bit.ly/a9rQhb

Premier Events Details
Location: Newark Museum, Auditorium, 49 Washington St., Newark, NJ
Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm VIP Reception
6:00pm Doors Open for general public
7:00pm – 8:00pm Film Screening
8:00pm – 9:00pm Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Tonia Grady
Bill Stephney
LaVar Young

More Information:
To purchase VIP tickets or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Erica Knowles at eknowles@newarknow.org.

About Man-Up Documentary
Directed and executive produced by Tonia Grady of Gradygirl Productions, Inc., Man-Up is an uncompromising look at the young lives that hang in the balance of “fatherlessness”. To illustrate the magnitude of this social epidemic you will hear personal testimonies of triumph and devastation as Man-Up navigates through the experiences of growing up without a father and the effects thereof. The documentary gives a face to the voiceless children who suffer and ask themselves the unanswerable “why me?”. Man-Up featured in the 2009 Atlanta Gay Pride film festival and the 4th Annual WIFTI (Women In Film and Television International) Short Film Showcase. For additional information on the documentary on Man-Up, please visit www.manupthedocumentary.com.

About the Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers
The Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF) serves fathers in transition – men who have lost their jobs and homes, or who are re-entering the workforce following incarceration and who seek to assume greater responsibility for and contribute to the lives of their children. NCCF has a strong commitment to helping fathers develop a stronger commitment to fatherhood, stronger parenting skills, and stronger employment skills. For additional information on NCCF, please visit www.newarknow.org/fatherhood.html.

Media Contact: Kimberlee Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705

Source: Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

To Increase HIV Testing Rates in Newark “Status Is Everything” Pioneers New Media, Text Messaging, and Social Media

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2010 – On February 4, 2010, during a full day of events, the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC.org), Mayor Cory A. Booker and the LGBTQ Commission will kick-off “Status Is Everything”, a pioneering, Newark, NJ focused HIV testing social marketing campaign targeting African American men who have sex with men, aged 18-24. This is the first New Jersey public health campaign of its kind to utilize social media and text messaging to provide residents 24-hour instant access to local HIV/STD testing centers – text NJ+YourZipCode (NJ07102) to 36363. 1-866-HIV-CHECK access is provided by the New Jersey HIV/STD hotline.

Status Is Everything Social Media
Twitter – http://bit.ly/69k7mP
Facebook – http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
YouTube - http://bit.ly/SIEBernard1
Causecast – http://bit.ly/SIECausecast

The multifaceted six month campaign features an interactive website StatusIsEverything.org that promotes seven “friendly reminder” e-cards and six video PSAs of Newark spokespeople; PSAs in movie theaters and on Cablevision Networks; bus wraps, a billboard, and light rail train signs.

WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

8:30AM until 10:00AM – CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – Open To All To Attend
Newark City Hall, Rotunda, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
AAOGC staff and key campaign spokespeople will be available for interviews.

11:00AM – PRESS CONFERENCE – Open To All To Attend
Newark Municipal Council’s Chamber, Room 221, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ

Invited Speakers
Mayor Cory A. Booker, City of Newark
Mildred Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council
Laurence Ganges, MSW, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department
of Health and Senior Services: Division of HIV/AIDS Service
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns
Kimberlee S. Williams, Principal and Marketing Director, FEMWORKS
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, North
Jersey Community Research Initiative
Dwight Peavy, Executive Director, Newark EMA HIV Health Services
Planning Council
Timothy Daniels, Campaign Model and Spokesperson

2:00PM – 3:00PM – MOCK HIV TEST SESSION FOR B-ROLL – Media Only Please
NJCRI – 393 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102

Interviews
Timothy Daniels, Status Is Everything Campaign Spokesperson
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, NJCRI
Brian McGovern, Executive Director, NJCRI
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns

6:00PM – LGBTQ COMMUNITY SOCIAL MIXER AT THE SPOT – Open To All To Attend
The Spot, 45 Commerce, Newark, NJ 07102
Models, spokespeople, dignataries, elected officials, and partners will be in attendance.

WHERE: Various locations. Please see details above in the WHEN section.

Media Contacts: Contact: Kimberlee Williams, Marketing Director of FEMWORKS, (973) 494-9705 or kwilliams@femworksllc.com, or Robyn Butler of FEMWORKS, (973)494-9705, or rbutler@femworksllc.com.

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Beginning January 2010 in Newark, African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

Preview Campaign Photo Shoot: tinyurl.com/YKSYXSM

Campaign Website: www.StatusIsEverything.org, (January 2010 Launch)

“Our focus groups with young African American gay men have shown that “Status Is Everything” must use new media to reach and impact their demographic. We will market the campaign using mobile text messaging, viral videos, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, as well as billboards and palm cards, print and online ads,” adds Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of AAOGC. AAOGC has retained FEMWORKS, Newark’s premier multicultural marketing agency, to lead the creative and communications plans for the social marketing campaign.

The “Status Is Everything” campaign is designed to provide referrals to partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark that are preferred by young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services. A testing candidate will be able to receive referral services through their mobile device, online at www.StatusIsEverything.org, or through the New Jersey hotline 1-866-HIV-CHECK. A thorough evaluation will be conducted by the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)

AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org

SOURCE African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)

RELATED LINKS
http://www.AAOGC.org

Status Is Everything photo shoot sneak preview

“Status Is Everything” Social Marketing Campaign Targets Young African American Gay Men In Newark

NEWARK, N.J., October 27, 2009 – Beginning January 2010 in Newark , African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

Preview Campaign Photos: http://tinyurl.com/yksyxsm
Campaign Website: www.StatusIsEverything.org, (January 2010 Launch)

“Our focus groups with young African American gay men have shown that “Status Is Everything” must use new media to reach and impact their demographic. We will market the campaign using mobile text messaging, viral videos, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, as well as billboards and palm cards, print and online ads,” adds Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of AAOGC. AAOGC has retained FEMWORKS, Newark’s premier multicultural marketing agency, to lead the creative and communications plans for the social marketing campaign.

The “Status Is Everything” campaign is designed to provide referrals to partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark that are preferred by young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services. A testing candidate will be able to receive referral services through their mobile device, online at www.StatusIsEverthing.org, or through the New Jersey hotline 1-866-HIV-CHECK. A thorough evaluation will be conducted by the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University.

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)
AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org.

Media Contact: Kimberlee S. Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705, or email kwilliams@femworksllc.com

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.