A campus-wide forum designed to shed light on the plight of African-American men and youth and offer solutions to address related issues will take place at Virginia State University on Tuesday, September 15 at 6 p.m. in Colson Auditorium in Harris Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The event, hosted by VSU’s Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice and the Urban League Young Professional Network of Greater Richmond, is part of the Urban League’s Campaign for Empowering Youth in the Capital Region and will feature the educational documentary, “Bring Your ‘A’ Game,” created by actor/director Mario Van Peebles. Immediately following the film will be a panel discussion comprised of faculty, students and other community leaders, including Petersburg Police Chief John Dixon and NBC12 news anchor Aaron Gilchrist.

“Bring Your ‘A’ Game” captures the voices and stories of successful African-American men and details strategies of how others can emulate that success through educational achievement. The 22-minute film features several African-American icons who share their success stories including philosopher and Princeton University professor Dr. Cornel West; Citigroup chairman Richard “Dick” Parsons; film writer/producer/director Spike Lee; Mayor of Newark, NJ Cory Booker; and writer/actor Hill Harper. The campaign aims to use the screening and accompanying community discussion as a catalyst to transform the lives of urban youth.

The Urban League is a community-based movement devoted to improving the quality of life for African Americans through educational, economic, social and health initiatives.