Local nonprofit The Chattery and collaborative workspace Society of Work are teaming up with Chattanooga CARES for National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Month to show deepsouth, a documentary film about the neglected HIV/AIDS crisis in the rural American South.
The screening will take place on Feb. 23 starting at 6 p.m., and will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Enora “Nori” Moss. This is the sixth in the Cinematics program series, a yearlong movie experience that combines the education of The Chattery and the collaboration of Society of Work to teach and engage Chattanoogans in conversation through the art of film.
"African Americans in Tennessee are disproportionately affected by HIV, comprising 60 percent of the 712 newly reported new HIV cases in 2015 within the state. In that same year, African Americans represented 56 percent of all Tennesseans living with a diagnosis of HIV, while making up only 17 percent of the state’s population," officials said.
“Chattanooga CARES is excited to be partnering with The Chattery to raise awareness about HIV amongst African Americans,” said Cory Howard, project manager at Chattanooga CARES. “Unfortunately, the HIV epidemic disproportionately affects the African-American community, particularly in the South. This is why it’s important to bring awareness about this issue not only during National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, but year-round.”
The screening of deepsouth will take place at the Edney Innovation Center, 1100 Market St. At the event, Community Pie is providing free pizza, and The Bitter Alibi is providing free beer.
The event is free and open to the public.