The Center for Family Justice is pleased to announce that Byron Hurt, the award-winning documentary filmmaker, author and activist, will be the keynote speaker for its second annual Speaking with Men Breakfast on Friday, Nov. 15 at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford.
Hurt, a former football quarterback at Northeastern University and creator of the award-winning documentary I AM MAN: Black Masculinity in America, is the founding member of the Mentors in Violence Prevent (MFP) program. MVP is the leading college-based rape and domestic violence prevention initiative for college and professional athletes.
Hurt is a sought-after speaker and nationally-recognized expert on topics related to issues including gender violence prevention; race; sex; violence; music and the impact of visual media on our culture.
Speaking with Men is an awareness event sponsored by CFJ’s White Ribbon Task Force, a group of male community leaders who work with the nonprofit to engage men and boys in the efforts to break the cycles of domestic and sexual violence. The task force is led by Gary MacNamara, Director of Public Safety & Government Affairs at Sacred Heart University and the former police chief in the town of Fairfield.
“We’re honored to have Byron Hurt join us for this meaningful and inspiring breakfast which is focused on the important role men and boys can and do play in the efforts to end gender-based violence,” said Debra A. Greenwood, CFJ’s President & CEO. “Speaking of Men is a wonderful way for us to build engagement in our mission and hold an important conversation with men and teenage boys about how they can be role models by joining us to take a stand against abuse.”
Greenwood noted that Hurt is a relatable speaker who can shed light on so many of the pertinent issues that have been raised by the #MeToo era. “Men are often blamed for the violence and abuse in our culture, but the reality is only a small percentage perpetrate gender-based violence,” said Greenwood. “We believe engaging men who care in the conversations about ending abuse is the best way to break the cycles of violence from generation to generation.”
The breakfast program will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the restaurant located at 337 Kenyon St., Stratford. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will benefit CFJ, which provides crisis and supportive services to victims of domestic and sexual violence in six local communities.
Tickets for Speaking with Men are available by clicking here, or by contacting Chalae Satawhite at CSatawhite@CenterforFamilyJustice.org or 203-334-6154, ext. 135.
