HIV STIGMA STORY

HEALING IN THE VALLEY

A Short Documentary on HIV Stigma in the Black Community

HEALING IN THE VALLEY

Healing in the Valley highlights stories of African Americans living with HIV and investigates how stigma and anti-Black racism makes African American communities more vulnerable to this disease. It also draws upon the expertise of doctors, researchers, faith leaders, outreach workers, and activists to explore solutions to addressing the HIV epidemic.

This project was borne out of a realization that African Americans are affected by HIV and many other
diseases because of a larger, underlying societal pathology of injustice. It is informed by the research of Dr. Jelani Kerr, an Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville. His research explores the how of social factors such as mass incarceration, stigma, and neighborhood disenfranchisement affect HIV vulnerability for African American communities. This project translates the findings from some of this research into a documentary that is meant to raise awareness of HIV in the community.

Executive Producers: Jelani Kerr and Miguel Hampton
Filmed by: F5 Enterprises, LLC and Photography By Miguel Hampton.

Screenings & Film Festivals:
2024, Urban Dreams Mental Health Film Festival as an Official Selection
2024, The Oklahoma Black Film Festival, Semifinalist for best documentary short
Louisville International Film Festival,
Black August Film Festival,
University of Louisville – SPHIS,
Kingdom Fellowship – World Aids Day,

FUNDED BY:

funded by University of Louisville

Featuring: Raynard Guest, Midnight, Takeisha Nunez, Dr. Karen Krigger, Dr. Faith Fletcher, Kelsey Burton, Trinidad Jackson, Teresa Kay Obannon, Rev Edwin Sanders, Dr. Winston Husbands.

For Bookings: 812-913-4142
Email |  Live Showing Request
*Currently in Film Festivals*

Many thanks to the Jewish Heritage Fund that provided funding for this documentary.

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About Our Producer:

Jelani Kerr is an Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville.  He received his PhD in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior at the University of South Carolina. His research focuses on HIV-risk of people in the African Diaspora in the US and Canada.  In particular, he investigates individual and social factors that influence HIV/AIDS disparities and partners with communities to develop interventions to reduce them.  His work extends beyond measuring disparities to reducing them through multidisciplinary collaborations to develop and evaluate community-focused interventions. His work includes research that examines the impact of stigma on HIV treatment, programs to address PrEP access and uptake, and research to understand how drug policy impacts HIV vulnerability. 

Photographer/Director/ Editor:

Miguel is the founder and driving force behind F5 Enterprises, LLC and Photography By Miguel H. His primary goal is to create compelling and impactful art that authentically represents the narratives of his clients. With over 15 years of experience as a professional portrait and event photographer, complemented by a decade-long career in filmmaking, Miguel specializes in capturing stories of social equity and producing podcasts tailored for non-profits and small businesses.

In addition to his artistic talents, Miguel possesses a solid foundation in Business Management, Marketing & Branding, Event Development, and Business Coaching, enriching his creative endeavors with strategic insight and professionalism. Situated in New Albany, Indiana, Miguel’s studio serves as the hub for his creative endeavors.

Listeners can access Miguel’s podcast on leading platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music, where his expertise and engaging storytelling captivate audiences.

Miguel also has a background in Business Management, Marketing & Branding, Event Development and Business Coaching. His studio is based in New Albany, Indiana.

Miguel’s Podcast: 
Spotify | Apple Podcast | Google Podcast | Amazon Music

Production Team:
PA – Xavier Williams
Assistant – Mireya Hampton
Drone Coverage – Rob Johnson Photography