The Black Cinema Series, a collaborative initiative between the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) and the Little Theatre, is set to present “THE BLACK WALNUT,” an acclaimed docudrama that highlights the critical issue of prostate cancer disparities impacting Black men. This event will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 23, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at The Little Theatre located at 240 East Avenue. Following the screening, a panel discussion will engage attendees in meaningful dialogue.
The film is directed by Terrance Afer-Anderson, a gifted writer and producer from Norfolk, Virginia. As a survivor of prostate cancer, Afer-Anderson is committed to using his artistic talents to empower others and is looking forward to sharing this important work with the Rochester community. The event is supported by several organizations, including Pittsford CommUNITY, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Rochester Regional Health, and UR Medicine’s Center for Community Health & Prevention, with funding assistance from the state of New York.
Prostate health is a pressing concern for Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, making early screening crucial. Addressing the significant disparities in cancer outcomes that affect men of African descent is essential.
Attendees at the event will have the opportunity to register for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests, a vital tool in early detection and improved health outcomes.
Immediately following the film, a panel discussion will take place, featuring:
Moderator
- Richard McCullough, M.Ed | President Emeritus, Rochester Association of Black Journalists
Community Advocates and Prostate Cancer Survivors
- Terrance Afer-Anderson | CEO and Filmmaker, TerraVizion Entertainment Network
- David M. Simpkins | Senior VP, Chief Marketing, Communications & Community Affairs Officer, Rochester Regional Health
- Darrell Vickers | Peer Educator, PCPEER program, UR Medicine
Medical Experts and Subject Matter Experts
- Anees Fazili, MD | Rochester Regional Health-Center for Urology, PLLC
- Matthew Truong, MD | Rochester Regional Health-Center for Urology, PLLC
- Jean Volny Joseph, MD, MBS, FACS | W.W. Scott Professor and Chair, Department of Urology, UR Medicine
- Sindhuja Kadambi, MD, MS | Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute
Admission to this important event is free, but advance registration is encouraged. For reservations, please visit thelittle.org/the-black-walnut/. Tickets will also be available at the door, subject to availability.
This is a crucial topic for people to hear and also important for me and my family because my father had prostate cancer and had surgery in 2019-20.
Now he is OK and in remission, but that time was very difficult for the whole of our family and especially for him and my mother!
A friend of my father and a colleague from work had the same surgery a year before, it wasn't successful and he died in big pain and agony.
I hope that no one has to pass that again and that the medicine will find the cure!
Regards!
Teo