Tag: Equality

Championing Health Equity, Social Justice and the Economic Health of Our Beloved Community

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Whittier Street Health Center will host its 2nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Thursday, January 13th 2021 from 12pm-1pm.

Press Release
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Jan 6, 2022

BOSTON, January 6, 2022 (Newswire.com)
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Whittier Street Health Center will be hosting a day of service and distributing warm clothing, food, educational resources and creating access to health care and social services.

Dr. King stated “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?” During these unprecedented times, it is important for us to ask ourselves these questions every day, and to create access to opportunities for others.

“This day of service is dedicated to the goal of inspiring individuals to take a more active role in improving their communities as Dr. Martin Luther King did while he was leading the civil rights movement,” stated Whittier Street Health Center’s President & CEO, Frederica M. Williams. “It is important to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for his contributions to the American civil rights movement and his vision for a world void of discrimination and segregation, which is at the heart of our mission to address health equity, social justice and the economic inequities impacting the lives of our vulnerable patients and community residents.”

There is still much to be done in terms of equality, but thanks to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, the conversation and action steps will continue until the goal of an equitable society is achieved. Events like Whittier’s Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service are a great way to engage with our community to educate, empower and engage them in care. As a health care organization, we are reminded daily of Dr. King’s statement that “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane,” and we are doing our part to address inequality and injustice in health care.

Whittier Street Health Center is a community health care center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high quality, and accessible health care and social services that achieve health equity, social justice, and the economic well-being of our diverse patient populations. Through our locations in Roxbury and North Dorchester, School-Based Health Centers and Mobile Health Van programs, we serve 30,000 patients and conduct 20,000 community outreach visits annually.

www.wshc.org.
Facebook (www.facebook.com/WhittierStreetHealthCenter)
Twitter (@Whittier_Boston)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/whittier-street-health-center)

Contact Frederica M. Williams, 617 989 3220

Source: Whittier Street Health Center

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January 6, 2022
ASCENDtials Partners With James Crawford on Advancing Knowledge of Self in Black Education
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Our inaugural speaker for the KOS-Melanin-ology™ lunch sessions is James Crawford

Press Release
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updated: Aug 11, 2021
SAN DIEGO, July 29, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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ASCENDtials today announced a new collaboration with James Crawford, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Education Studies department at UCSD. This collaboration will be for ASCENDtials inaugural KOS-Melanin-ology™ lunch sessions launch, August 19, 2021, and will be an interactive discussion about the importance of advancing knowledge of self in Black education.

Two quotes that come to mind when thinking about the struggle Blacks face in a dialectical system of White/Black and/or Oppressor/Oppressed, is that it doesn’t allow for a complete, free, human experience and is limiting and dehumanizing. Though we live amongst functions that operate in this way, it would be unwise to base a structural system this way, in which humans create and experience in such a limiting way. So, it is necessary to learn to Know Thyself and Melanin.

Remember that “As Above, So Below”- African Proverb. What nature shows us is clearly how we must operate.

And should we choose to deny what nature shows, we aren’t truly ourselves, but we are an approximation. And “An Approximation is a lesser form of Equality” – African Creation Energy.

“It’s time to activate melanin in our educational system, so that true problem-solving is known, and that we place a real emphasis on thinking critically about Equality and structures in place that impede this progress, as an approximation will not do.” – Mika Marzette

The benefits of this new partnership include:
- New collaboration with our inaugural speaker for our lunch sessions.
- Brings widespread attention and awareness to Melanin and its benefits in the fight for equality.
- Makes problem-solving a priority for those with the highest concentrations of melanin.
- Way of thinking pulls from an ancient African “way of life” based on science that embraces freedom, creativity, balance, and helps sustain growth.
- Engages more people in the social transformative/justice movement.
- Builds critical consciousness around Knowledge of Self.
- Promotes understanding of KOS-Melanin-ology™ and its purpose of a humanizing experience for all.
About ASCENDtials: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization specializing in Critical Consciousness, by providing thoughtful holistic educative tools, resources, and training programs that prepare, are preventative, instill, and reinforce a deeper appreciation for self and community, a oneness that builds capacity, and environmental care.

About James Crawford: James Crawford is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the Education Studies department at UCSD. He has extensive experience in education consulting and capacity-building to center the voices and academic supports for Students of Color. Currently, James is the Graduate Researcher for the UCSD Black Studies Project, a principal member of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, and also serves on the Black Academic Excellence Initiative Advisory Committee. He is a published scholar with research interests including Black critical theory, critical media analysis, and culturally responsive pedagogies and curricula to help transform education systems and outcomes.

Source: ASCENDtials
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July 29, 2021
CARE Awarded $250,000 Research Grant by Petsmart Charities®; Work Will Focus on DEI Issues Within Animal Welfare Industry

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Press Release
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updated: Mar 25, 2021

BALTIMORE, March 25, 2021 (Newswire.com)
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Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) was awarded a $250,000 research grant from PetSmart Charities, the leading funder of animal welfare in North America. Funding will support a year-long program that will provide research and analysis to address the lack of representation of people of color and other marginalized groups within the animal welfare industry.

CARE’s work will include surveys, analysis, and the publication of research surrounding:

· Biases within the animal welfare industry

· Impact of AWO policies on people of color

· Expansion/revision of the study supporting The Under-representation of African American Employees in Animal Welfare Organizations in the United States [Brown, S.E., (2005). Society & Animals Journal, 153-162.]

This grant helps provide accessible, equitable DEI resources for the Animal Welfare Industry, alongside a CARE Coach that will create relevant, changing content and individualized feedback. On completion of the course work, CARE will provide an industry first DEI Certification. Additionally, this will support the hiring of an Inclusion Training Team to create accessible, cost-effective platforms for all types of AWOs, regardless of size or financials.

“We’re honored and humbled to receive this grant from PetSmart Charities; their reputation and track record are truly best in class,” said CARE President James Evans. “We look forward to providing clear insights and actionable inroads, as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the animal welfare industry.”

“The research and training resources produced by CARE will provide important insight and actionable ways to address the inequity and bias against pets and pet parents in BIPOC communities, and we’re proud to support these efforts,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President, PetSmart Charities. “The ability to recognize ways animal welfare initiatives have created barriers for these communities will ensure they are better served and allow the industry to become more inclusive.”

“The lack of diversity in the animal welfare industry has been a long-standing problem,” added Evans. “There’s never been a better time to address the underlying systemic inequities, which created and perpetuated such a glaring racial imbalance.”

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About CARE: Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) is a Baltimore-based, 501(c)(3), focused on expanding and evolving the education, training and storytelling surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the animal welfare industry. For more information, please visit CAREawo.org or follow us on social media: @careforequity

About PetSmart Charities®
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought leadership that bring people and pets together. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 17 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more, visit www.petsmartcharities.org

Source: CARE

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March 25, 2021
Day Translations: One of the Best Companies for Working Women

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Receiving its 4th Comparably award this year, Day Translations gains Comparably’s recognition as a Top Company For Women.

Press Release
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updated: Dec 13, 2018

NEW YORK, December 13, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Ladies are thrilled to work for Day Translations, and Comparably is taking note. Comparably released their Best Companies for Women award, rewarded equally to the top 25 deserving companies, and Day Translations made the list.

Day Translations, a company that offers professional translation services, employs women at all levels. This includes translators, interpreters, members of corporate, and managers. In fact, Day Translations recently announced a new Senior Executive Manager, Ana J. Pana, who is the CEO’s right-hand wo-man.

“Being a woman working at DT is no different than being anyone working at DT. Everyone is judged by abilities, energy, willingness to help, and the work he or she puts towards reaching our company’s goals,” said Maria Di Lorenzo, SEO Manager.

Day Translations also received Comparably’s Best CEO for Women Award earlier this year. The translation company’s mission is to create a worldwide acceptance of all people, from every culture, ethnicity, and gender. This mission speaks not only to how they treat their customers, but how they treat their employees as well.

While all 25 recipients of this award are based in the U.S., Day Translations has a unique team comprised of international, telecommuting employees. Although their headquarters are located in New York City, the women that makeup Day’s corporate team reside in cities across the globe: from Costa Rica to Argentina, to the Philippines, to India, to name a few. Plus, they hire female translators and interpreters in almost every country worldwide.

Day Translations is grateful for this recognition and will continue to promote a positive, non-discriminatory work environment, promising they wouldn’t settle for anything less.

Day Translations, Inc. is a global human translation company, honored in the 2018 Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. They help individuals, small businesses, and multinational corporations expand their global impact by bridging the language gap. Day Translations is passionate about language and grateful for the opportunities they’ve had to support humanitarian services, including providing interpreters during the Egyptian crisis of the Arab Spring and supporting Translators Without Borders.

Source: Day Translations Inc

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December 13, 2018
Highland Imports Commits $100,000 to GLAAD and Brings True Colours Cava Signature Rainbow Bottle to 30 States

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Highland Imports has committed at least $100,000 to GLAAD from the first year of sales of True Colours Cava

Press Release
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updated: Nov 15, 2018

NEW YORK, November 15, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Highland Imports is very excited to bring the True Colours Cava product to the U.S. market. Highland Imports is constantly searching for unique wines and spirits from around the world. When Highland Imports discovered True Colours Cava, they immediately noticed the colorful bottle and enjoyed the bright, crisp and dry finish to the cava. The message behind the bottle is what really attracted Highland Imports attention and made the decision easy to bring this product to the U.S. market.

Altia Sweden, the creator of True Colours Cava, recognized the growing consumer interest in products that support social issues and decided to join the movement. They created True Colours Cava in support of the social movements within the European markets for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendar and queer (LGBTQ) communities. They developed a fun product that promotes and promises “Love is Sparkling…and Social!” Altia Sweden took it one step further and a portion of the proceeds from the sales of True Colours Cava, support The Rainbow Foundation and their efforts to the LGBTQ communities within Europe. Altia Sweden believes in doing good and having fun while doing it. When Highland Imports heard this message, the decision was easy to bring True Colours Cava to the U.S. market to continue doing good while having fun and keeping the promise that “Love is Sparkling….and Social!” True Colours Cava is from the Penedes region of Spain and produced using a blend of Macabeo, XAREL.LO, Parellada, and Chardonnay grape varietals. It has an aging process of 14 months.

Making the decision to bring True Colours Cava into our portfolio was an easy one. The cava is outstanding and the packaging is brilliant. Selecting GLAAD to be an integral part of our program was also an easy decision. GLAAD embodies the very essence of Alita’s efforts to support human rights and social awareness. We are very excited to introduce True Colours Cava to the U.S. and continue the momentum started in Europe.

Oliver MacKinnon III, President of Highland Imports

Highland Imports committed to bring the momentum of True Colours Cava from the European markets to the U.S. market and continue the support to the LGBTQ community. Highland Imports is proud to announce our strategic alliance with GLAAD and keeping the “Love is Sparkling…and Social!” promise. A donation will be made for every bottle of True Colours purchased in the U.S. Highland Imports has committed a minimum donation of $100,000 to GLAAD within the first year of True Colours Cava being sold in the U.S. market. This commitment will support GLAAD and their continued efforts to accelerate acceptance for the LGBTQ community.

“Highland Imports is boldly displaying their support for LGBTQ people at a time when the community needs brands to stand up proudly and loudly,” said Zeke Stokes, GLAAD Vice President of Programs. “This generous commitment to GLAAD will help accelerate LGBTQ acceptance as we work to create a world where LGBTQ people can let their true colors shine brightly.”

True Colours Cava is thrilled to announce our national partnership with Cost Plus World Market. Beginning in November we will be available in the 30 states in which World Market retail stores carry wine. True Colours Cava is also being distributed throughout the following states through these distributors: Connecticut – Highland Imports, Georgia – Ultimate Distributors, Maine – Nappi Distributors, Massachusetts – Global Wines Inc, New Hampshire – Martignetti Companies of New Hampshire, Rhode Island – Rhode Island Distributing, Tennessee – Best Brands Inc, Vermont- Vermont Wine Merchants. For more information about the True Colours Cava U.S. and how to become a distributor please visit www.trucolourscava.com, email info@truecolourscacaus.com or call 203.538.6818.

Source: Highland Imports

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November 15, 2018
More Than One-Third of LGBTQ Adults Identify as Having a Disability
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Press Release
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updated: Jun 29, 2018
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 29, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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LGBTQ Pride Month (June), the LGBTQ community has been reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future. Among lesbian, gay and bisexual adults, 30 percent of men and 36 percent of women also identify as having a disability. RespectAbility, a national nonprofit working to fight stigmas and advance opportunities for people with disabilities, has been celebrating Pride Month by highlighting the intersection of disability and LGBTQ. The disability community intersects with every other minority group, and the LGBTQ community is no exception. The LGBTQ rights movement has made tremendous progress over the past five years, but there is a lot of work left to be done to ensure that LGBTQ people are truly equal.

Both people who identify as LGBTQ and people who have invisible disabilities such as learning disabilities like dyslexia, mental health or ADHD have to decide whether or not to “come out of the closet.” This is not an easy decision for most people because of the uncertainty of whether or not acceptance will follow. LGBTQ youth who come out sometimes are rejected by their families and friends. Some are even kicked out of their homes and forced to live on the streets. According to a University of Chicago report, LGBTQ young adults had a 120 percent higher risk of reporting homelessness compared to youth who identified as heterosexual and cisgender.

It is vital to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so all people who have faced prejudice can achieve a better future.

Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, President, RespectAbility

Some celebrities and business leaders are using their voice to share their stories, educating people about both visible and invisible disabilities. They are defying the statistics and have remained highly successful with their disabilities. Notable examples include political activist Justin Chappell who is a wheelchair user, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper who is dyslexic, actor Josh Feldman who is deaf, comedian Stephen Fry who has bipolar disorder, artist Frida Kahlo who had polio and spinal and pelvis damage, Eddie Ndopu who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, YouTuber Tyler Oakley who has depression, model Aaron Philip who is a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, writer Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha who is chronically ill and journalist Melissa Yingst who is deaf.

Our nation’s economy is strongest when it is inclusive of the value that diverse talent brings to the workplace. These celebrities are making a difference in how audiences, both LGBTQ and straight, perceive disability and in setting high expectations for youth with disabilities. People with disabilities of all backgrounds can be amongst the highest achievers on earth. Having LGBTQ people with disabilities as positive role models for success is important for children and young adults who identify as members of both of these communities.

RespectAbility is proud to have employees who identify as a member of both the disability and LGBTQ communities. Read about their experiences: www.respectability.org/tag/lgbtq-pride-month.
- Gay and on the Autism Spectrum: My Experience Growing Up in the Closet
  Eric, Spring 2018 Communications Fellow
- Learning About Myself and Coming Into My Own
  Lily, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
- A Reflection on Truth and Acceptance: When Fear Finds a Home
  Daniel, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
- At the Intersection of Deafness, Queerness and Being an Asian-American Woman
  Kaity, Summer 2018 Communications Fellow
- Having a Visible Disability While Coming Out as Gay
  Ben, National Leadership Director
Others like television pioneer Jonathan Murray and philanthropist Darren Walker who do not have a disability themselves but know what it is like to be stigmatized as people who are openly gay have used their influence to ensure more inclusion of people with disabilities as well. Their work has enabled many more people who identify as both LGBTQ and having a disability to succeed.

“It is vital to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so all people who have faced prejudice can achieve a better future,” said RespectAbility’s President Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi.

The role models mentioned above are especially important to acknowledge during LGBTQ Pride Month. However, their work should be valued and appreciated year-round. RespectAbility will continue to recognize their important contributions on a regular basis.

Media Contact:
Lauren Appelbaum
Phone: 202-517-6272
Email: LaurenA@RespectAbility.org

Source: RespectAbility
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June 29, 2018
Tell Us About an Amazing Woman

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Student Book Competition on Heroines.

Press Release
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updated: Aug 29, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, August 29, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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To honor the vast accomplishments of women in the United States, the National Youth Foundation (NYF) is pleased to announce the Amazing Women’s Edition (AWE) competition. Sophia Hanson, Executive Director of NYF, stated: “In furtherance of honoring the vast contributions of women, we are hosting the Amazing Women’s Edition book writing contest. Get to know an extraordinary woman in your community and tell us HERstory.” AWE calls upon students in grades K-8 to write and illustrate original books on heroines in their communities. The winning book will be published in hardcover and donated to public libraries.

Nicole Dennis-Benn, author of “Here Comes the Sun,” a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, stated: “I grew up in a culture where women are heads of households and state. One was even deemed as our National Hero, and another, Prime Minister of Jamaica. However, unlike the men, these women were never celebrated as much or written about extensively. It would be very important for the younger generation of women to see these women’s stories and aspire to carry the baton, moving us forward as women.”

The panel of judges includes Rudine Sims Bishop, 2017 recipient of the ALA Coretta Scott King Award; Daniel James Brown, New York Times bestselling author of “The Boys in the Boat,”; Erin Falligant, children’s author, and Bhavna Shyamalan, a philanthropist with the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation. The winning book will be announced in March 2018, during Women’s History Month.

The deadline for the submission of completed books and applications is Jan. 4, 2018. Contest details and application material can be found at www.nationalyouthfoundation.org. For questions, please email or call SHanson@ntlyf.org or (610) 742-3671.

Contact: National Youth Foundation

Telephone: (610) 742-3671

E-Mail: SHanson@ntlyf.org

Website: www.NationalYouthFoundation.org

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Source: National Youth Foundation

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August 29, 2017
With Orlando Massacre, Premiere of New Amazon Series Conveys Powerful Message of Acceptance

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After the deadliest mass shooting in history, the premiere of the new show ‘Back Stabber’ has come at the perfect time, bringing a powerful message surrounding acceptance, anti-bullying and embracing who you are.

Press Release
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Jun 27, 2016

Los Angeles, CA, June 27, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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With its successful premiere this past Friday, the highly anticipated new series on Amazon has come at the right time, bringing a message of accepting everyone for who they are. Created and written by openly gay actor Ryan Zamo, the show is loosely based on his real life experiences, he said, “I came out 11 years ago when I was just 16-years-old, and at the time I was really young to do so. And sadly, I faced a lot of bullying because of it. I grew up in a town where no one else had come out yet, and since I didn’t know better, I tried everything to mold myself into what they wanted. It took a while for me to be okay with who I am…so I wanted to bring the message of accepting everyone, because the world needs to see that we are all just human.”

A recent and very public campaign, which targeted the 27-year-old’s orientation hit national headlines this past December. The news spread quickly after Westboro Church attacked Zamo and his fiancé via social media. However, also owning an organic cosmetics company, the wild antics of Westboro back fired, driving sales through the roof for his company Z Skin Cosmetics. He said, “This is just one example of why we wanted to get the show out there, we want people to accept everyone for who they are, regardless of age, race, orientation, religion etc.”

The main characters in ‘Back Stabber’ provide a powerful message of unconditional love and friendship, regardless of one’s background. The show touches on taboo subjects including; teen pregnancy, being a single parent, recovery from addiction, acceptance, adultery, bullying, embezzlement, and many other sensitive subjects in today’s society.

Individually, each of the storylines in ‘Back Stabber’ carry multiple messages. Two of the main characters, Sam and Isaiah, are faced with the challenges of coming out and being bullied, as well as being accepted by their family. Isaiah, eccentric and vibrant to say the least, lives in fear of telling his parents he’s gay. Zamo commented, “I based his back story on some of the real events my friends have gone through. I think the show will open people’s minds because the situations the characters are faced with are all based off of real life stories, so hopefully viewers will sympathize.”

However, with major blows and setbacks over the past year, ‘Back Stabber’ almost never came to be. The show was created over 7 years ago, but had no interest from Hollywood producers. Zamo said, “I wrote the first episode in film school as a final project, which I happened to get a C on, but the message behind this story was something I’ve always fought for. Nothing was going to stop me from seeing it through, and finally last year, I decided I would just produce it myself.” With no financial backers, sponsors or Hollywood interest, season 1 was fully produced for under $2,000. The young creator said, “I used my own equipment, and spent weeks watching video tutorials on how they edit blockbuster movies. The show looks like a multi-million-dollar project because I was able to do everything myself, including CGI, special FX, sound mastering, color correcting, soundscaping, marketing, website development and everything else. I knew I had to get this message out there, so I poured my soul into it, I sucked it up and for the past 365 days I’ve done non-stop work on this show.”

Among other things, the show also incorporates cyber bullying, teen bullying and standing up for yourself. The 27-year-old creator said, “I wrote the show making Isaiah and Sam the ‘cool kids’, hoping to show people that it’s okay to have gay friends, because we’re actually pretty cool. Also in the clique of friends are testosterone driven straight men, and despite the drama that takes place throughout the season, they still stand up for the two gay guys when needed.”

At the June 23rd red carpet premiere for the new Amazon series, the event hosted raffles for high-end luxury items, which they donated the proceeds to anti-bullying organizations. With celebrity teen ambassadors for other organizations that take a stand against bullying, the event drove home its message of acceptance and trying to make a change in the world.

Following the recent tragic events in Orlando, the new Amazon series ‘Back Stabber‘ has the potential to create a shift in today’s society, creating a positive impact on embracing everyone for who they are. With many activists now trying to put a stop to the violence and bullying both online and off, the new show’s success will hopefully start a positive movement with its messages of love and acceptance for all.

Season 1 of Back Stabber is now available on Amazon Video, and free with amazon prime, visit:
https://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B01GJ1SXBG/ref=sr_1_1?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1466888891&sr=1-1&keywords=back+stabber+tv+show

Source: OTM Media

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June 27, 2016