The Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. recently sponsored a screening of the PUSHOUT film and a panel discussion at Bethune Cookman University. The Pushout +
film is a documentary that talks about the criminalization of black girls in schools. The screening was shown to over 60 people; girls, educators, parents, grandparents, community representatives, police officials, as wells as, elected officials.
This full length and intriguing documentary was written by Dr. Monica W. Morris and Jacoba Atlas. This film focuses on the many issues such as suicide, sex trafficking, depression, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), as well as, the educational, judicial and societal disparities that black girls are confronted with daily. The targeted audience for the documentary is girls ages 5 thru 18.
This documentary has been so influential to so many including United States Representative Pressley that she has launched legislation to end school pushout of girls of color.
After the viewing of the documentary there was a panel discussion. The moderator for the discussion was Ms. Donna Gray-Banks of the Fresh Book Festival. The persons that were part of this panel were Dr. Barbara Kirby-Bentley of Seminole County Schools, Mrs. Ida Duncan- Wright, Volusia County School Board member, Ms. Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County NAACP, Captain Byron Williams, representing the Resource Division of the Daytona Beach Police Department, and Mrs. Vonda Morris, parent and educator. In addition, the young ladies of two mentoring parts of the sorority, the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy and the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS acted as the hostesses of this event.
Dr. Sadie McConner the Chair of the Social Action Committee of the Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter was the initiator and organizer of this event. Bethune Cookman University students, parents and educators had many enlightening questions and comments. The discussion was so compelling that it continued past the designated time. There were requests that this film and discussion be continued in 2020.
"We are so delighted that the Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. members and Chapter President Paula Reed, who also serves as a City Commissioner for Zone 6, had the acumen to share such a powerful film with the Volusia County community, said .