Virtual Dramatic Reading of George Matthew Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue” Features Jenifer Lewis, Dyllón Burnside, and More

Author and activist George Matthew Johnson’s award-winning, debut book, “All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto,” explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, “Nanny” to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, announced today the partnership with iN-Hale Entertainment and All Tea No, Shade Productions in support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2021 with the theme of “Stigma Gotta Go.”

“Stigma and shame are 2 parallel social ills that continue to fester in communities of color all across this country and play a role in the increasing number of new HIV diagnosis among Black Americans” stated Imara Canady, Chair, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC).

According to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), African Americans make up close to 14% of the U.S. population, but close to 50% of new HIV diagnoses.

“It is our hope that through sharing this powerful production that we continue the critical work that BLACC has been doing for close to a decade in breaking down the misconceptions, lack of awareness and ignorance around a myriad of issues that feed into stigma, and further divide us as a community. We truly build community by each of us showing up fully as who we are, and each of us respecting the diversity that exists within our community.”

– Imara Canady

The short film, which is directed, adapted, and produced by Nathan Hale Williams is a filmed dramatic reading of three chapters of the book performed by Jenifer Lewis, who will play “Nanny,” Dyllón Burnside (“Pose”), Bernard David Jones (“The Mayor”) and Thomas Hobson (“Sherman’s Showcase”).

The three-part virtual event will feature live performances, a virtual art installation curated by African American contemporary art dealer/curator, Rodney LoveJones, and music featuring Black artists.

The evening will conclude with a roundtable discussion moderated by Tai Beauchamp with the goal of moving out the fear that creates stigma and replace it with love through the event while also having a sobering discussion that needs to be had.

The pre-event takes place Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. est time. The reading follows shortly after from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. You can register for the event here.