The Art For Social Change Experience will seek to reimagine the Black community through new lenses. The event will bring forth multiple black change leaders, creatives, artists, industry professionals and organizations, to present how they’re impacting the black community through various art forms. The Philm Factory seeks to use arts and humanities as a vehicle for social change to encourage, inspire, and incentivize people to change.
The Art For Social Change Experience will begin with a welcome from Senator Vincent Hughes, followed by the Philm Factory Art For Social Change presentation which includes Philm Factory’s “Take One” youth film mentorship program, two Social Change honorees. This experience will feature a 1hr Screening of the film work in progress (WIP: “Black Terror”, a bicoastal collaboration of WACO Theater Center and Newark Symphony Hall. Black Terror tells the story of a group of Black freedom fighters defending their community by any means.The film is being produced and directed by celebrity actor Richard Lawson and Executive Produced the notable Tina Knowles Lawson, both Co-Artist Directors of the Where Art Can Occur (WACO) Theater Center in Los Angeles. Richard Lawson is a professional actor with over fifty years in the industry, director, producer, and master teacher at Richard Lawson Studios. Tina Knowles Lawson is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and philanthropist. The Drama Desk Award Winning play Black Terror was originally produced fifty years ago by playwright and screenwriter Richard Wesley in 1971.
Following the screening, there will be a Black Terror Town Hall & Panel Discussion from 6-8pm, which will feature the director Richard Lawson and more guests. The panel discussion will be moderated by Philm Factory’s co-founders and West Philly natives, Eli and Lu Bevins who also served as Creative Producers and Post Production Supervisors on the Black Terror Film. (Read More…)
Show Presenters
Richard Lawson
Richard Lawson has had a long and distinguished career as an actor and master teacher that spans six decades. Some of his notable and memorable performances include Steven Spielberg’s POLTERGEIST, Lucas Barnes on ALL MY CHILDREN, WAG THE DOG starring Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman, HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK starring Whoopi Goldberg and Angela Bassett, GUESS WHO starring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher, and FOR COLORED GIRLS directed by Tyler Perry, starring Janet Jackson, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Phylicia Rashad, and Michale Ealy just to name a few. Recognizing a hole in the teaching model, he went on to create one of the most cutting-edge schools – the Richard Lawson Studios (RLS). RLS uses motivational and cutting-edge computer technology to impart Richard’s 48 years as a successful actor, teacher, public speaker, and drug counselor for the NBA to empower artists and professionals to achieve their dreams. Now without Further ado the man of the hour Mr. Richard Lawson.
Senator Vincent J. Hughes
Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent J. Hughes is a leading progressive voice on local, state, and national issues. His colleagues elected him to be the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2010 and he continues to bring proactive leadership to that role. Senator Hughes has served the commonwealth as a member of the Senate for more than 20 years. He was first elected to represent the 7th Senatorial District in 1994, previously serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 to 1994. He was chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus from 1991 to 1994.
Eli & Lu Bevins
Twin sisters, filmmakers, digital designers, and spoken word duo, Eli and Lu Bevins, are co founders of Eli Lu Entertainment, The Philm Factory and are President & Vice President of the Mill Creek Community Partnership non-profit which birthed the annual MCCP Hip Hop Jazz Fest. Since 2009, Eli & Lu have written, directed and produced numerous short films, won several film awards, created feature-length screenplays, and produced several stage plays. Additionally, the sisters, alongside Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles Lawson, executive produced the “I Got the Mic: Poetic Experience” virtual show. The sisters are also Digital Designers for the star-studded “Wearable Art Gala” and WACO Theater Center in Los Angeles. Since 2018, Eli and Lu have designed 60 page AD booklets that congratulated Gala honorees, such as Beyoncé, Tyler Perry, Angela Bassett and more. In 2022, the sisters produced the “Stomp’n at the Savoy” Stage at the Gala, which featured talent such as the notable Freda Payne, Obba Babatunde, Kiki Sheppard, and Keith David.
Honorees
Cassandra Green
Cassandra Green (Cass) is a community activist/organizer, strategist, engagement specialist, cultural producer and social art practitioner with extensive experience in non-profit business administration, project management, arts education, fundraising, creative place-keeping, asset based capacity building and succession planning.
She served as Project Manager for the Department of Justice Community Based Crime Reduction Grant-We CAN Collaborative;New Kensington Community Development Corporation, HACE and Impact Service in the Kensington and Fairhill Neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris is the Founder and Program Director of "As I Plant This Seed" a nonprofit organization, currently located in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia. Ryan is a graduate of the first HBCU, Cheyney University, where he received his BS in Recreation and Leisure Management. During his time at Cheyney he was mentored by professor Dr. Julius Flynn who exposed Ryan to a world beyond his current surroundings and changed his perspective on life with new concepts and ideologies. Ryan’s life was changed forever. Ryan then made it his duty to raise the level of consciousness in the youth in urban communities through various enrichment activities and programs.
Acts
SiSi Dash
SiS Dash is a R&B recording artist, singer and songwriter, born and raised in Philadelphia. SiSi completed her debut recordings “Good Day” and "We’re Incredible” with Grammy nominated singers/songwriters/producers Helen Bruner and Terry Jones. She has also worked with Grammy nominated songwriter/producer Donald Robinson and recorded “I’ll Be Right There”. He tailored the song, “What Ever Happened to Romance” to SiSi’s voice. All were consolidated onto her 4 record EP entitled “New Beginnings”. In May 2023, SiSi released her single, “Feeling Good”.
God is in her heart and R&B in her soul.
Tyree The Poet
Tyree Evans is a father, son, educator, and artist. Tyree aspires to inspire the youth through education and art. Tyree has published a book entitled Words on Consignment and performed all around the U.S. Tyree is known for creating literary poems that connect to contemporary times in society.
T.C. (Storm E. Weatherz)
T.C. (also professionally known as “Storm E. Weatherz) is a multi-faceted performer, producer, director, radio and television personality and content creator. The youngest son of Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame inductee Stephen J. Caldwell Sr. of the famous Doo Wop group “The Orlons” (“South Street”, “Wah-Wahtusi”), T.C. moved away from acting in the 1990‘s to pursue interests in music. Returning to acting in 2011, T.C. has been cast in over 130 stage plays, including the original version of the classic “12 Angry Men”. T.C. has appeared in over 50 short, feature length films, t.v series and internet skits as “Chris aka Big Daddy” and two talk shows, “Single On Saturday Night” and "Inside The Music’’. T.C. is a former bodyguard, ordained Deacon, Founder and C.E.O. of Storm E. Weatherz Entertainment.
Creative Roof Top Curation
During the duration of the experience, there will be a wall video projection of “From The Root Of The Fruit” by portrait photographer Ken McFarlane, a Philadelphia based documentary and portrait photographer focused on creating and presenting images and stories from the standpoint of Resident Artist, which will be curated by We Embrace Fatherhood on the rooftop terrace.
Partners
Sponsors
Community Partners
