New Film Captures The Essence of President Obama’s Controversial 2008 Father’s Day Speech

PRLog (Press Release) - Jun 25, 2009 -
President Obama’s 2008 Father’s Day Speech at the South Side Chicago Apostolic Church of God, managed to do more than just spark discussion and debate in the black community. The speech charged black fathers in particular “to realize that responsibility does not end at conception. We need them to realize that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child - it's the courage to raise one.” This is the same message that emerging filmmaker Iris Huey addresses in her feature film, Second Chance, which will be pre-screened during the June 26, 2009 Concerned Black Men – National Organization’s (CBM) “Daddy Boot Camp and Retreat” in Lansdowne, VA. This will be in preparation of the film’s September 17, 2009 national screening.

It has taken a little more than three years of intense, emotional work for Huey, a graduate of Howard University’s film and theater programs, to finish writing, producing, and directing her first feature film, Second Chance; a film in which she focuses on the issue of absentee fathers in the urban community.

The film, which is the first release from Huey’s “Big I Entertainment” company, is an urban drama that tells the story of a young man who leaves his girlfriend and his infant son after deciding that he isn’t ready to handle the pressures of fatherhood. Five years later, he returns in search of a “second chance” at being a father only to face a less than receptive welcome from his child’s mother.

“I try to develop films that encourage, motivate and inspire viewers by using stories about individuals who overcome tremendous obstacles,” said Huey about the company. “I created Big I Entertainment to bring quality films to the African American community that have strong, positive and influential messages.”

The film has been used as both an educational and inspirational tool through its adoption by various human service organizations, such as the Arizona Center for Responsible Fatherhood; Child and Family Resources (Phoenix); the City of Phoenix Head Start Division; and the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (Chicago).  


A one night, 10-City national screening of the film is scheduled for September 17, 2009 to help bring awareness to the topic and raise money to support the efforts of the Concerned Black Men -National Organization (CBM) (http://cbmnational.org/), an organization established in 1975 to provide “at risk” youth with access to mentors, programs, as well as academic and career enrichment opportunities. In just over 30 years, the organization has expanded to over 32 U.S. cities, and has expanded their vision to include programs for parents such as the Substance Abuse Prevention program, the Parent Self Involvement Program, and the Fatherhood Initiative program.

The screenings will take place in Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Richmond, Dallas, New York City, Philadelphia, and San Diego; with a special screening in Los Angeles that will be followed by a reception featuring Huey, the film’s lead actors, as well as George Garrow Esq., Executive Director of CBM.

Huey will hold a special pre-screening of her film, followed by a discussion and Q&A session at CMB’s “Daddy Boot Camp and Retreat” held June 26 – 28 at the Aramark National Convention Center in Lansdowne, VA, on June 26, 2009 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm.

This weekend event, themed R. I. S. E. Up!!! (Be Responsible, Invest in the lives of your children, Support their development, and Evolve!”), aims to bring fathers together to celebrate and embrace fatherhood through parent education, enrichment activities, skill building, and networking opportunities for fathers young and old enrolled in the CBM Fatherhood program.