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Who is Jewelene Banks? By Dr. Wilma J. Arnold I was overwhelmed following my interview with the one of the most talented and brilliant women I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She is the first African-American to write, produce, direct, and bring plays to stage within the city of Akron, Ohio. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. Quite simply; she has done it all and shows no signs of slowing down. Her name is Jewelene Banks. When she’s not writing, she spends her time converting her novels into movies, or on the internet completing research or updating her blog. She’s not the typical author. Her authentic writings awaken the spirits of our young. They are the epitome of reality and focus on issues concerning mankind in its present state. She unapologetically ministers lessons of determination, hope and faith without standing in a pulpit or on a proverbial soapbox. She writes what is required to gain the attention of the future generation in times like these. It doesn’t matter whether her genres are mainstream, urban or hip-hop…in finality she delivers the Word to those who will not hear it in a traditional setting. What inspired you to write the book entitled, BOYS PULL YOUR PANTS UP? Actually, I was inspired by a global epidemic called…saggin. Now, let's cut to the chase and keep it real. If men walk around with their pants saggin down, they will hear the cries of racism and discrimination loud and clear. I know some of these guys don't believe that appearance gives them credibility, but when they stand crying before a judge, nine times out of ten they'll be wearing a suit. Whether it's a professional suit or a jail suit...they'll be wearing one! What exactly is meant by use of the term saggin? The term s-a-g-g-i-n is urban slang which refers to pants which are worn in such a manner that one’s underwear, butt, and pubic hair are exposed. Many people believe the fad (saggin) originated in prison, but that belief is not quite true. Saggin started a long time ago, during American Slavery. Many slaves were ordered to wear pants that were so big; they would sag. The question is why? If they chose to run away from their masters, it would prove to be very difficult. It was a task for them to hold their pants up while running for cover. Being slowed down meant they would be captured by dogs and put to death. What inspired you to transform the book into a play and bring it to stage? I’m deeply concerned about the erosion of our African- American men. Experts report that accidents, Black-on-Black crime, suicide and AIDS have become the number one killer of the black population. Black men are accountable for 52% of the prison population, 70% of all special education privileges, but less than 4% of the total college population. I knew that educating the young men from a visual aspect would prove to be very beneficial. Police operate on one principle...if he walks like a thug, talks like a thug and looks like a thug…he’s a thug. Afterwards, they scream, “Justifiable Homicide! Well, your Honor, he looked like a gang banger, so I had to shoot him! How was I supposed to know he was an Honor Student?” I’ve found that wardrobe malfunctions give police another reason to zoom in on young men. First impressions are indeed everything. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MOVIE REVIEWS Akron Movie Premier: Boys pull your pants up! April 11th, 2011 4:40 pm ET By Patricia Tramble Akron Events Examiner Saturday, April 9, 2011 is a day to commemorate in Akron, Ohio. This day marked the first Akron formal movie premier. ‘Boys pull your pants up!’ written and directed by Jewelene Banks of Banks of Jordan Entertainment. The movie premier was held at the Tadmor Shrine Auditorium, 3000 Krebs Drive in Akron. Guest arrived in their Sunday best walking the red carpet to witness history in the making for the African-American community. President Marco Summerville took part in the festivities saying, “It is good to see black folk come out and support black folk.” With thunderous applause the crowd was in agreement. Then entered the woman of the hour Jewelene Banks, standing front and center as the crowd rose to their feet in applause. Garnered with gifts, gratitude, and awards to and from her cast and crew she spoke to each of their contributions and their future. The film opened with an African-American drummer. Receipting poetry to the beat, ‘This is not the new cleavage. Boys pull your pants up!’ he said. The film addressed the complexities of an urban family and the neighborhood they live in. Relationship disconnects between children and parents as well as a wife to her husband. Comedic relief is in some scenes to allow breathing room for serious subject matter. Educating young men and women about history, and the reason behind the wearing of pants below the waist is purposeful. The film addresses prayer, guidance, teaching, listening, and support giving merit to the healing of the family. ___________________________ Akron Movie Premiere: Boys Pull Your Pants Up April 11, 2011 at 21:51 Enterjaimentnews.wordpress.com Akron’s Tadmor Shrine Auditorium drew a large crowd for a special red carpet event over the weekend.Independent filmmaker, playwright, and producer, Jewelene Banks hosted a movie premiere for her flick ”Boys Pull Your Pants Up” . Jewelene Banks Left to right: Harlonda Banks, Jai, Jewelene Banks Harlonda Banks and Tracy Jenkins. Jewelene Banks on what inspired her to write the screenplay: My inspiration came from getting in my car and driving down the street. Clearly it is evident the erosion of black men, somebody had to say something, somebody had to step up to the plate and speak up because we cease to live the minute we keep quiet about the circumstances that we see going on around us . Lead actress Harlonda Banks plays dual roles in the film. She had the audience laughing out loud as the colorful, no-nonsense, Aunt Maggie and also held everyone’s attention as the laid back professional, Josephine. Harlonda describes the film as spiritual and says, it speaks for itself. ”When boys pull their pants up they pull their entire family up, they pull their education up, they pull their lives up.”
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