On July 16, 2008, Atlanta Victim Assistance (AVA) puts the spotlight on domestic violence, while raising much needed funds to support its' victims, with an exclusive screening of the "Lena Baker Story". The gala premiere, in Zoo Atlanta's Ford Auditorium from 6-9 pm, is a benefit showing for AVA.
The independent film, the debut feature of director/writer/producer Ralph Wilcox, tells the tragic and true story of the first and only woman ever to die in Georgia's electric chair. The opening anchor for the 2008 Atlanta Film Festival, the "Lena Baker Story" features a searing performance by Tichina Arnold as an African American housekeeper in 1940's rural Georgia, caught in a complicated and controversial affair with the father of her white employee. Held captive and tormented by frequent physical and mental abuse, Baker ultimately kills the man who has kept her from her family and friends.
Convicted by a jury of 12 white men, Baker is found guilty in less than 6 hours, and given the death penalty. She was pardoned posthumously in 2005.
In a unique partnership with Wilcox and American World Pictures, all proceeds from the screening will help to support direct services by AVA to victims of crime in Fulton County.
"This movie highlights the problems of domestic violence, which is the #1 crime against women," says AVA founder and director Brenda Muhammad. "While it's a sad story, it is also a wonderful opportunity to turn attention to a growing problem in our community and, more important, to fix it. We don't want anymore Lena Bakers."
Co-hosted by civic couples Michael and Lovett Russell, and Pete and Ada Lee Correll, the event offers a range of sponsorship opportunities for corporate contributions in an effort to raise $50,000 for AVA services. Early commitments from Wilcox, American World Pictures, Zoo Atlanta, and AirTran Airlines are making the event possible.
Wilcox, one of Georgia's new breed of powerhouse producers, will attend a red carpet pre-reception, along with other members of the cast. He strongly believes the partnership with AVA will make a difference in women's lives.
"Some might view this story as a tragedy, says Wilcox "but the real tragedy would be not to tell the story. I want to make sure the story is told so that it can bring forth much fruit."
Atlanta Victim Assistance provides direct services to thousands of victims of crime each year. The range of comprehensive services is intended to remove barriers, strengthen victims and their families and foster a healthy transition from victim to survivor.
Tickets for the event are available through sponsorship only. Individual tickets will not be sold. For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].
For a preview of the film, visit www.lenabakerthemovie.com .
Who: Atlanta Victim Assistance
What: "The Lena Baker Story" Gala Premiere
When: July 16, 2008, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: Zoo Atlanta's Ford Auditorium
Why: Benefit for Atlanta Victim Assistance
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About the Producer, Writer, and Director
RALPH WILCOX
Ralph Wilcox was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied Theater Arts. Even as a child, his life-long passion was to become an actor. He pursued this vigorously and as a young man found himself in New York performing on The New York Broadway Stage, appearing in such plays as Ain't Suppose to Die a Natural Death, The Wiz (the Original Company) and in Porgy and Bess (playing the role of Sporting Life) with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. After many successful years on Broadway, he made the transition into Film and Television. He is a 30 year veteran actor and has appeared in such movies as Silent Victim, The Cape, Point Man, China Moon. Among a multitude of other film and television credits are In the Heat of the Night, I'll Fly Away, Sheena, and Good Times.
In addition to being the Director of Henny Penny Video/Television Production Company, he was appointed the Southwest Georgia Film Commission Director. In this role, he represents 14 counties in Southwest Georgia by marketing them to the film and television industry. He is using this industry as a vehicle for economic development.
Ralph Wilcox was successful in sharing his vision of economic development using this medium with the Federal and State government and other private investors who collectively contributed to the building of a 22,000 square-foot movie sound stage. This facility, the Jokara-Micheaux Production Studio, now stands completed in the Miller County Industrial Park in Colquitt, Georgia.
He is also the executive producer/CEO of Schusters Cash, LLC., a film/video production company. In October 2007, he joined forces with Laughing Crown Entertainment and just produced his first full-length feature film entitled The Lena Baker Story. He wrote, directed, and produced the project. Lena Baker was an African American who became the first woman in the state of Georgia to receive the electric chair; she was pardoned posthumously in 2005.
About the Executive Director
BRENDA MUHAMMAD
Founder, MOMS (Mothers of Murdered Sons & Daughters)
Executive Director, Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc
Brenda Joyce Muhammad has dialoged with presidents and other heads of state, met with corporate leaders, won countless awards and honors, appeared on talk shows, created one of the nation's largest and most influential advocacy groups, and become a history-making politician.
Ms. Muhammad is the nationally recognized founder of MOMS, Mothers of Murdered Sons and Daughters, an organization dedicated to stopping the plague of violence in America's communities, a plague which is robbing our country of its most precious resource, its children, and robbed Ms. Muhammad of her oldest son. Her dedication to both AVA, Inc. and MOMS, which has joined other organizations and individuals in the fight for sensible gun laws, speaks to her level of diligence in her struggle to turn survivors of adversity into activists for change.
Brenda Muhammad uses these opportunities to advance the concept that the greatest contribution a survivor or victim can contribute is to ensure that another does not experience the same pain. She believes that this can only happen when each of us turns our pain into participation.
