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Update #5: Thank You!!
Thank you to everyone who contributed, sent emails, forwarded messages, responded to robocall, opened their hearts (and their wallets!).
There is no way that any of this could have ever happened without you. We are still fund raising, but I looking forward to completing the production phase of this film and moving forward in bringing this story to the world.
Thank you!
Update #4: Almost There!!!!
For backers only,
Posted on August 3, 2011
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Update #3: NMA Day 1
Today was day one and it seems that news about the film is spreading rapidly. People seem genuinely interested in the film and the story that it tells. It is such a privilege to be around so many powerful, successful, talented BLACK men and women. We definitely need more of this in our communities. Being here has only reinforced why it is so important that this story be told.
Without the work that many of these women in the film contributed to the field of medicine making inroads in the discipline and the practice, the way could never have been paved for the continuing success and growing opportunities for African American medical doctors across the United States. After all, one of the events is held in namesake of Dr. Muriel Petioni!
Being here has truly been great (although I have also encountered my fair share of negativity as well). However, I am looking forward to showing the trailer tomorrow. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a moving picture has to be worth TEN thousand words. I really believe that the images and commentary captured in this work are beyond expression and each heart and mind must experience the film individually.
Again, if you are around the conference come and give us a visit. If you are not at the conference, continue to spread the word to your friends, family, acquaintances, personal and professional networks, etc. I truly believe that our collective energies can bring this picture to life.
Let’s keep praying and moving forward,
Still Swimming!
Update #2: Getting Ready for Washington
Traveling as a quadriplegic comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles and this trip has had its own share of additional concerns.
We are preparing to attend the National Medical Association beginning this weekend in Washignton, D.C. We will have tables set up and be around the conference. Spread the word and stop by if you are going to be in the area or at the conference.
Looking forward to success!
Update #1: Moving Along and NMA
To everyone who has donated thus far, thank you!! We are almost at the $2000 mark but we have quite a way to go. We have been working diligently on trying to tap into new resources, getting advice, looking in nooks and crannies that we haven’t thought of, etc. Each dollar is getting us closer to our goal.
This week, we are going to the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
We are showing a screening of the trailer of the film at the Council on Concerns of Women Physicians Luncheon on Sunday at 12:30 pm. Iyanla Vanzant will be the keynote speaker there and we are hopeful that the women and men in attendance will be inspired by the viewing to support our film.
We will be in attendance everyday surfing the crowds for supporters, networking, and talking up this project.
Please continue to spread the word to your own networks as we work, both in cyberspace and on the ground, to get this film made!
Still swimming!
73
Backers
$51,906
pledged of $50,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 7, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
A heartfelt thank you from the Director, Crystal Emery.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A heartfelt thank you from the Director, Crystal Emery, PLUS an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; PLUS an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; PLUS a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; PLUS a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes, PLUS an "I'm Present" T-shirt along with a copy of the completed DVD of “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine.”
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes; an "I'm Present" T-shirt along with a copy of the completed DVD of “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine”; PLUS an “I Am Present and Unaccounted For” one of a kind medallion.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes; an "I'm Present" T-shirt; an “I Am Present and Unaccounted For” one of a kind medallion; PLUS a Film credit as an "Angel" along with a DVD copy of the completed film with special limited edition outtakes.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes; an "I'm Present" T-shirt; an “I Am Present and Unaccounted For” one of a kind medallion; a Film credit as an "Angel" along with a DVD copy of the completed film with special limited edition outtakes; PLUS an autographed coffee table book signed by the participants and the Director of the film.
Pledge $10,000 or more Pledge $10,000 or more
A heartfelt thank you; an exclusive postcard of artwork from the film; an autographed cookbook from Director, Crystal Emery featuring funny stories and recipes about how to feed a film crew for under $100; a copy of the bestselling book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a story about the most important yet unsung woman in Western medicine; a “Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine” Calendar featuring images of the doctors in the film and their inspirational quotes; an "I'm Present" T-shirt; an “I Am Present and Unaccounted For” one of a kind medallion; a DVD copy of the completed film with special limited edition outtakes; an autographed coffee table book signed by the participant and the Director of the film; PLUS a film credit as an "Associate Producer", along with and an invitation to attend the premiere of the film in Spring 2012.
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Crystal Emery, the Producer/Director of this film, is also the Executive Director of the 501c(3) organization, URU, The Right to Be, Inc (URU), an education through the arts company whose goal is to develop artistic projects with two purposes in mind: to uplift and encourage positive perspectives of ethnic groups, women and persons with disabilities; and to heighten consciousness around ideas and social issues affecting the community.
In addition to being a filmmaker, Crystal is a published author of the children’s book series, Little Man. Crystal is a parent, a wife and a graduate student in Media Studies. Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine is her second feature length documentary film.
Who knows what image, what words, what experiences can cause a child to be inspired to seek after their dream? For me, it happened when I was 7 years old and I watched For Love of Ivy by Sidney Poitier. This film not only inspired me to want to be a filmmaker but it started me on a journey that lead to working under some of the most talented people in film. I have been blessed to travel the world despite a debilitating form of muscular dystrophy and blessed to producing and directing my second feature length documentary film, Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine.
Watching that film when I was seven planted the seed that grew me into the person I am today. Present and Unaccounted For: Black Women in Medicine is a documentary film that has this same power. The women, the images, the words, the stories—this film has the power to change the lives of countless youth who need a voice and a vision to help them see how bright their own futures are.
I acknowledge the vision for this film came from God. I had no plans of making a film like this. It was not on my radar. However, I am blessed and thankful to have the honor of telling these stories and inspiring a new generation of doctors.
