Jana Harris will be the Special Guest of the Birmingham Chapter of Survivors Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR)

BIRMINGHAM, AL, February 05, 2011

The S.O.A.R. meeting will be held at 6:00 pm at the offices of the YWCA of Central Alabama, located at 309 23rd Street North, in Downtown Birmingham.

Many are aware that February is Black History Month. However it is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. S.O.A.R. members will recognize both of these significant themes for February, as they listen to their guest share information about students at Parker High School who have written a screenplay based on teen dating violence. These students are producing, directing and editing this screenplay, which will be produced as a short film. All of the actors will be Parker High students. The students are taking part in a film residency program that is being offered to high school students via Jana's nonprofit organization, The Educational Arts Corporation. Through this nonprofit, students are taught the art of filmmaking, and execute what they learn, with assistance from experienced film industry professionals. During this 28-week curriculum, students learn how to use film to tackle social issues that youth face today.

Ms. Harris is an award winning film producer, director and the President and Founder of J.D. Harris Productions, a multimedia production company. Harris has produced and worked on over 30 films, television shows and documentaries, including projects for ESPN and HBO. Jana was also the segment producer of "Living" a half-hour weekly show highlighting premiere homes in Alabama.

Harris' most recent feature film, entitled "Overflow", explores reasons why bullies do what they do, as well as the psychological and emotional ramifications of bullying on their victims. The film has been distributed in all Birmingham City Schools and throughout Alabama, has garnered awards and has been shown in cities throughout the United States, in places like Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, and in other countries such as Canada.

For more information, contact:

Tahiera Monique Brown
S.O.A.R. Facilitator
(205) 218-7678
Tahiera@gmail.com

Survivors Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR) - Birmingham Chapter, is a support group of survivors and advocates of victims of domestic abuse. It is a program of the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence. SOAR is also supported by the YWCA of Central Alabama.