OutCenter Celebrates Black History Month with Brother Outsider Film Screening

Benton Harbor, MI –
The OutCenter of Benton Harbor announced that it will be screening the film Brother Outsider at the Citadel Oak Room, February 24, in celebration of Black History Month. The film follows the life of Bayard Rustin, an important African-American civil rights leader who was forced to play a behind-the-scenes role due to his sexual identity. Rustin mentored Martin Luther King Jr. on the concepts of non-violent resistance and organized the legendary 1963 March on Washington.
Jen Hsu, Executive Director of the OutCenter, stressed the importance of honoring and lifting up the accomplishments of activists such as Bayard Rustin. "Activists such as Rustin have made significant contributions to the history of our nation. We must remember those who have helped make our communities a better place for all of us, especially those like Rustin who were asked to be invisible, yet refused to be silent."
Brother Outsider is a critically acclaimed feature-length film. Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the film has introduced millions to the life and work of Bayard Rustin, the "unknown hero" of the civil rights movement. Throughout the film, viewers will experience Rustin's first-person voice assembled from his writings, interviews, personal correspondences and recorded interviews.
The event is free and open to the public. The film is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with distinguished guests including Marcus Robinson, President of the Consortium for Community Development, Alvin Starks, Racial Equity Officer of The Kellogg Foundation and Pat and Emerson Payne of the Race Relations Council of Southwest Michigan.
The mission of the OutCenter is to provide support and advocacy for respect, understanding and nondiscrimination to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied persons and their families in Berrien County, Michigan. Located at 132 Water Street, Benton Harbor, the OutCenter is open Tuesday – Friday from 12pm to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. For more information or to become a volunteer, please visit http://www.outcenter.org, call 269-925-8330, or email inquiries at [email protected].