Help us send a message to America about the targeting of minoirty youth by donating to the OUR LIVES PSA Project.

A NOTE: From the Filmmaker 

Dear Friends and Family, 

Thank you so much for helping to support a project that means so much to me. Your donation will help us to cover production costs so that this video can premiere next week. Please note there's no donation too small and every little bit helps! Also if you are unable to donate you can STILL help us by following us on social media and sharing the project with friends and family once it premieres.

Let's make a differece.... 

THANK YOU all for you support.  I really appreciate it : ) 

Best Regards,
Kiri Laurelle Davis 





What is this Public Service Announcement video about?

This important PSA provides a voice to minority boys who are being targeted within the United States. In this video young African-American and Latino boys hold up handmade target signs as they boldly state the ways in which they are targeted and why their lives matter. The goal of this video is to provide not only a voice but also a face to the young minority boys whose future is being jeopardized on a daily basis and why these targeting practices must stop. It is also the PSA’s intention to force its audience to look directly into the face of these youthful targets and recognize the harmful stereotypes and profiling practices that they are consistently subjected to.

Why did we create this PSA?

 
Many of today’s young boys of color are aware that they are targets and could have easily been in the shoes of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Michael Brown or the many others whose lives were unjustly cut short. How many unarmed minority youth have to die before this issue is seen not as an isolated incident but as a national crisis? Studies have shown that children of color are often perceived as being older than they really are and that people feel they are less innocent and more likely to get into trouble. So not only do youth of color have to grow up faster due to the harsh realities, but many aren’t even seen for what they are. Kids!  The blame for this does not fall on “hoodies” or “loud music.” These young men are being targeted from birth, no matter what the circumstances are. Whether they are being disproportionately “stopped and frisked” or thoughtlessly killed under “stand your ground” laws, they are constantly bombarded with the message that their life is not as valuable.
How will this PSA be used?

  It is our intention that this PSA will be used to bring awareness to issues regarding the targeting of minority youth, while combating the hurtful as well as harmful stereotypes imposed upon young boys of color.

· It is also our hope that this PSA will have an impact on changing and/or ending legislative and unconstitutional practices that are endangering the lives of minority youth.

 · Finally, it is our goal that this PSA be used as a tool for change by social justice organizations, educational institutes, policy-makers and media outlets; we will utilize these outlets to help highlight that minority lives matter and that the targeting of minority youth Must Stop. 

 Who are we?

This PSA is a creative collaboration between award-winning documentary filmmaker Kiri Laurelle Davis and Rootstrong, a non-profit organization.
 
Kiri Laurelle Davis’ work has been featured in numerous print and media including Essence, Ebony, CosmoGirl, and the NY Daily News. She has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC World News and Good Morning America. Her short film ‘A Girl Like Me’ featuring the Kenneth Clark “doll test” garnered national attention and reached millions worldwide.

 The Rootstrong organization is focused on excellence in multicultural leadership, education and development. Their mission is to provide resources, experiences, and development opportunities to promote equity, social justice and excellence through leadership.

Follow the FILMMAKER: 
www.Facebook.com/KiriLaurelle
www.twitter.com/KiriLaurelle 
www.instagram.com/KayVelvet