Written and Directed by
STANLEY BENNETT CLAY
Produced by
ANTOINE B. CRAIGWELL
Executive Producers
ANTOINE B. CRAIGWELL
JEFFREY R. GARDERE, PH.D
Stanley Bennett Clay, Documentary Director, received three NAACP Theatre Awards and three Dramalogue Awards for writing, directing and co-producing the stage play “Ritual” (L.A. Times Critics' Choice). He made his film writing and directorial debut with the film version, which was voted the Jury Award at the 2000 Pan African Film Festival. He directed the west coast premiere of the play “Jonin’” (Estelle Harmon Theatre, Drama-logue Award/Direction), produced the GLAAD award-winning musical “Children of the Night” (Ebony Showcase Theatre), Edward Albee's "The Death of Bessie Smith" (One Flight Up), Anna Lucasta (Theatre of Arts/ winner of four NAACP Theatre Awards). He wrote and directed the documentary “You Are Not Alone” for DBGM.
Antoine Craigwell, Founder, President & CEO of DBGM, Inc., Producer & Executive Producer of “You Are Not Alone”. As a journalist, Antoine writes on a variety of subjects and issues. He earned two awards from the New York Association of Black Journalists in 2008. Currently, he is a senior writer for Out In Jersey magazine and a contributing writer for The Bilerico Project. He is in the process of writing a book on depression affecting Black gay men and facilitating community discussions on the subject – to raise awareness of this mental illness.
Jeffery Gardere, Ph.D., Co-Executive Producer/Consultant. Better known as “America’s Psychologist”, Dr. Jeff is one of the most widely sought-after experts in the field of mental health. He is a regular guest on: The NBC Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, HLN, The Maury Povich Show, The CBS Early Morning Show, Fox Business News, FOX News, Nancy Grace, Tru-TV Reality Specials, and Court Shows. Dr. Jeff has authored several books, including his controversial book, “Love Prescription.” He is also the co-author of “Practical Parenting” with Montel Williams.. Dr. Jeff’s first book, “Smart Parenting for African-Americans: Helping Your Kids Thrive in a Difficult World”.
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A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS
Not only was writing and directing the documentary “You Are Not Alone” a great artistic opportunity, but most importantly it afforded me the chance to fully exercise my heart, soul and humanity with the hopes of touching the hearts, souls and humanity of anyone who sees it.
Depression has been silently killing black gay men in alarming and disproportionate numbers. The power of the mostly homophobic black church; the conservative black community which loudly denounces their same gender loving fathers, brothers and sons; and the non-acceptance into the larger gay community has created a sense of isolation and hopelessness, often exacerbated by sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS, causing so many black gay men to turn to drugs, alcohol, risky sexual behavior and too often suicide.
In “You Are Not Alone” you will experience insightful interviews with psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, and social workers intercut with heartbreaking testimonies of those black men, young and old, American and Caribbean, Muslim and Christian, who have lived through the hell of depression, and those who did not survive. Dramatic reenactments are liberally applied throughout to hit home the point that something must be done to save these at risk souls society has turned its back on.
And as dark as the subject matter may be, the film presents a series of solutions, leading to a light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. The title says it all, there are others just like you, you are not alone, and you will not be alone in healing yourself from depression. Finally, helping hands are beginning to reach out and touch. This documentary is only the first step.
Stanley Bennett Clay
Writer and Director
“You Are Not Alone”
Re-Enactment Cast
Cedric
ROB SMITH
Young Cedric
RIAN KING
Young Cedric’s Sister
IDAYA WALKER
Young Cedric’s Father
NILE STEVENS
Adrian
ANISSA SMITH
Homophobic Minister
VINCENT MICHEL PAUL FILLIATRE
Reggie The Bartender
ARMANI WILLIAMS
Eugene
TY MARTIN
Young Bar Patron Pick-Up
MELECH MEIR
Second Young Bar Patron
JEFFREY DICKSON
Additional Bar Patrons
WESTON CROCKETT
RONALD MOORE
Lawrence
JAMAAL STONE
Young Lawrence
XAVION FAISON
Lawrence’s Father
ANDREW R. COOKSEY JR.
Children in Park
KHYREYA TYLER
ANTONIO YIZAR
JAYDA YIZAR
JOSHUA YIZAR
ROBERT YIZAR
Lawrence’s Mother
SHA HAYES
Tony
LESTER GREENE
Cedric’s Therapist
JAMES MCKNIGHT, MD
Clinic Receptionist
MICHELE GILLIAM
Clinic Waiting Room Patrons
BREANA FULTON
PAUL HALVERSON
CHERYL LAMB
OCEAN MORRISETT
Lawrence’s Therapist
LELAND GALE
Sr. Support Group Leader
NORMAN OUTLAW
Sr. Support Group Members
ERIC SALAZAR
EDWIN SMITH
JAMES OSE SULLIVAN
Interviews
Interviewees
ALAN JONES (deceased)
CARNELL AMBROSE
DAVID GOODE-CROSS, Ph.D
DJ BAKER
IMAM DAAYIE ABDULLAH
JEFFREY R. GARDERE, Ph.D.
JONATHAN PAUL LUCAS
KEN ALSTON, JR.
KIM ARRINGTON, Psy.D.
LESTER GREENE
MICHAEL MYERS, MD
O'BRIEN DENNIS
REV. KEVIN TAYLOR
SEAN LESANE, LICSW
TAYLOR SILUWE’ (deceased)
TONY DIGGS
TREE ALEXANDER
WILHELMINA STONE (deceased)
Interviewer
ANTOINE B. CRAIGWELL
Original Musical Compositions
“HOLD ON… YOU ARE NOT ALONE”
Performed by NHOJJ
Written by JOHN MARTINBOROUGH
Nhojj Music Publishing
Performing Rights Society – ASCAP
“I AM HEALED TODAY”
Performed by DAMIAN PRICE-N-PRAISE
Featuring vocalist NIKKI ROSS
Written by DAMIAN PRICE
Published by Damian Price-N-Praise Music (BMI)
“WORK”
Written and performed by ALVIN LEDLON
Belizean Society of Composers Authors Publishers (BSCAP)
“DEMONS” or “Father and Son”
Written and performed by LESTER GREENE
“I Will”
Performed by MARSHALL TITUS
Written by MARSHALL TITUS and TIM GANT
Produced by MARSHALL TITUS
DOCOSOC Music, ASCAP