JEWEL’S CATCH ONE

C. FITZ | USA | 2016 | 90 MIN | NR

Acquired by filmmaker Ava DuVernay for ARRAY, JEWEL’S CATCH ONE explores the legacy of America’s oldest Black-owned disco club, as well as the life of businesswoman and activist, Jewel Thais-Williams. Jewel provided safe spaces for LGBTQ, Black and AIDS impacted communities in Los Angeles for four decades. Narrated by CCH Pounder, C. Fitz’s debut documentary sizzles with exclusive interviews from Sharon Stone, Thelma Houston, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Sandra Bernhard, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and others who illuminate the triumph, the tragedy, the truth and the tenacity of a specific time of great import to queer and black communities in Los Angeles.

Post-screening discussion with:

Amber Hikes is the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, where she develops policy and serves as the principal advisor to Mayor Kenney on issues that affect the LGBTQ community. At the Mayor’s Office, Amber has set her sights on fighting and advocating for the most vulnerable populations within the LGBTQ community – specifically youth, elders, transgender people, and people of color. In her first year leading the office, Amber has advocated for anti-discrimination legislation at the municipal level, launched a citywide LGBTQ Community Conversations initiative and helped facilitate an international conversation about race and discrimination in the LGBTQ community with the addition of black and brown stripes to the rainbow flag. Amber has been recognized nationally by Business Equality Pride as one of the 40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40, by Philadelphia Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia, and by Philadelphia Gay News as their 2017 Person of the Year. Hikes believes in employing an intersectional lens in all aspects of community work and leans daily on the words of sister Audre Lorde: “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not live single-issue lives.”

Cee Smith is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and ecosystem builder who invests in women and LGBTQ-led companies. With more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, her expertise in media, music and business development are unparalleled.

CLICK HERE to see all films currently screening at the PFS Roxy Theater.