San Francisco -San Francisco Bayview's own, the undefeated Junior Welterweight Champion of the World, Karim Mayfield "Hard Hitta" (16-0-1) brings his knockout power to the San Francisco Black Film Festival. Did you see Karim cream the previously undefeated Ray

"And from this corner," Karim "Hard Hitta" Mayfield Straight Outta Hunter's Point, Too (Smile Kevin Epps). Mayfield to attend SFBFF & Calvary Hill Community Church's "Focus on Fathers Family Day, June 16.

Serrano :47 seconds into the fifth round on ESPN TV2, May 18th? Now you know why they call him "Hard Hitta;" that was the tenth knockout of his career. "Wow, Hard Hitta!"

 

Karim will put down his boxing gloves long enough to give back to the community as he joins Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr. at Calvary Hill Community Church for "Focus on Fathers Family Day," a free event celebrating Juneteenth, and one of several special events surrounding the San Francisco Black Film Festival, June 15-17. Karim, who is a devoted father, will participate in the panel "Get in the Game: A Call to Fatherhood in the Hood," hosted by Dr. Bryant, Senior Pastor of Calvary Hill and San Francisco Bay Area Rainbow P.U.S.H. Director.

 

Reverend Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr. Hosts Focus on Fathers Family Day with the San Francisco Black Film Festival.

"We are pleased that Karim is taking the time to come out to inspire young people, to encourage fathers, and enjoy the people of the community where he grew up," said Dr. Joseph Bryant Jr.

 

"Focus on the Fathers Family Day" is a free event from 12 noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 16 kicks off with healthy cooking recipes from Oakland Museum's Chef Robert Dorsey (www.chefrobertdorsey.com), followed by the screenings of Kevin Epp's "FAM BAM" about the resilience of the Black Family, and Jacquie Taliaferro's "10 10 Gotta Win Gotta Win" about the importance of voting with cameo appearances of U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr., San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr, Community Leaders Espanola Jackson & Sharon Hewitt, Former San Francisco Supervisors: Willie B. Kennedy, Doris Ward, and Dr. Amos Brown; and candidates for the 2010 10th District political race including Supervisor Malia Cohen, winner of the race.  

 

Music Minister and gospel artist Marcus Dorsey in recognition of June also being "Black Music Month" will host a gospel concert with Bay Area renowned artists ready to lift up a song and give praise!

 

Of course, the air will be filled with music and with the savory smell of BBQ and other culinary delights. Activities for the kids include face painting, bounce houses, and games. There still are a few vendor opportunities available for businesses ($125) and nonprofits ($50) contact the church at 415 547-5300 for availability.

 

Other Related San Francisco Black Film Festival News:

 

Executive Director Dion Roberts & Mary Elizabeth Inn Salutes the San Francisco Black Film Festival, Thursday, June 14, 6-9 p.m. at their "Happy Hour to End Homelessness" at Infusion Lounge 124 Ellis Street San Francisco.  No Cover Charge. 

 

 

 

Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Hosts Opening Night

 

Opening Night at the San Francisco Black Film Festival will kickoff at the historic Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, 450 Post Street Union Square, Friday June 15 with a 6 pm VIP Red Carpet Reception, 7pm screening of Robert Townsend's "In The Hive" starring Loretta Devine, Michael Clarke Duncan, Vivica A. Fox, and featuring newcomer Jonathan McDaniel, "a young Denzel, " along with a panel discussion and VIP Red Carpet Afterparty.

 

Celebrity Sightings

Newcomer Jonathan McDaniel lights up the screen of "In the Hive"  like a "young Denzel."

List of celebrities grows as the festival nears. Jonathan McDaniel of "In the Hive," Bill Cosby's Legendary cartoonist Leo Sullivan, who created "Fat Albert and the Kids," Morrie Turner, creator of syndicated comic strip "Wee Pals," James Weston II seen most recently in "Red Tails and Transformers," Welterweight Champion of the World Karim Mayfield "Hard Hitta, Romancing the Bass' Tony Saunders (playing at the Hansberry June 22), Larry Batiste, Pre-Grammy Awards Music Director, KMEL's Lady Ray, Charleston Pierce, who's lighting up the airwaves for Cadillac, Samm Styles, Warner Bros. Director for "Black August," Y'Anad Burrell, Founder & Creative Director of "Fashion on the Square," Author Alonzo Tucker, Dr. Maxine Hickman, President, San Francisco National Coalition of 100 Black Women are among those attending the Red Carpet VIP Reception and other events.

 

"Hollywood Renaissance Man" Robert Townsend, Actor, Comedian, Producer, Director, Television Executive, Writer, and Humanitarian, takes director's credit for "In The Hive."

Invited guests include Robert Townsend, Loretta Devine, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Clarke Duncan, Danny Glover, Carl Lumbly, Del Roy Lindo, Jordin Sparks, Mike Epps, Shabaka Henley, Ted Lange, Michael Lange, Jerri Lange, Belva Davis, Barbara Rodgers, Clifford Brown Jr., Nikki Thomas, Steven Anthony Jones, Brenda Payton, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

 

The San Francisco Black Film Festival is a platform for established and emerging artists that

The late Ave Montague founder of The San Francisco Black Film Festival.

was founded by late arts impresario Ave Montague and SFBFF continues since her death in 2009 by her son Kali O'Ray and his wife Katerra Crossley with a team of volunteers and well-wishers who understand the arts are more than entertainment.

 

What about the San Francisco Black Film Festival? 

 

"We thank you for catching the vision to support the growing brand of the San Francisco Black Film Festival that is about more than entertainment. It's about providing a cultural platform for exchange of ideas. It's about commerce as people come into San Francisco for dinner before or after a film, use cabs, BART, MUNI, and stay in hotels. It's about creating synergy for volunteerism, job training & job development around the film industry and tangential industries. It's about building on the legacy of founder Ave Montague for future generations. It's about collaboration as the San Francisco Black Film Festival partners with the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Calvary Community Church, Wells Fargo Bank, PG&E, California Tobacco Free Project, Recology, Urban Game Suite, Rainbow Grocery Co-op, San Francisco BayView Newspaper, The Jazz Heritage Center, KPFA, KPOO, LaHitz Media, Bay Area Black Journalist Association, African American Arts and Cultural Complex, Academy of Art University, One Economy Corporation and others. It's about multiculturalism and It is about you!"

 

For More Information visit: www.sfbff.org.

 

SFBFF In the News 

 

Post Newspaper Group Coverage 

 

SFBFF News Release on PRLOG 

 

African Diaspora at the Roxie with Kevin Epps 

 

SF Weekly Lists "In the Hive" Opening at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre

JR Valray of blockreportradio.com interviews SFBFF Co-Director Kali O'Ray

Listen for Kali O'Ray Sunday June 10 on KOSF-FM, KYLD-FM, KIOI-FM, KISQ-FM, KKSF-AM & KNEW-AM-Thanks to Lady Ray (Who will attend the Red Carpet VIP Reception (Yeah!) and Thanks to Kareem Chadly.

Special Thanks to Robert Townsend for his hour-long live interview of Jackie Wright of SFBFF and Rey Ramsey, Chairman of One Economy & CEO of TechNet on Los Angeles' KTLK-AM.  Ramsey's One Economy produced "In the Hive" with Townsend and it has brought Broadband access to over 300,000 low Income Americans and is located on four continents. Wright served as spokesperson sharing the significance of "In The Hive" which addresses the need for education and technology,  as she encouraged Angelenos to take the one hour leap of faith by air to San Francisco for the San Francisco Black Film Festival.