On Wednesday, Feb. 22 - Lemon Brands was honored to attend the screening of 90 DAYS presented by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. (NBLCA) at the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture.

The night started on the red carpet as Nathan Hale Williams, Writer and Co-Director of 90 Days, Jennia Fredrique Aponte, Co-Director of 90 Days, C. Virginia Fields, President and CEO of NBLCA, spoke about the importance of the film and how damaging the stigma of HIV/AIDS has been in black communities around the United States.

As part of the Nathan Hale Williams and Jennia Fredrique Aponte’s 90 DAYS: ADVOCACY, ACTIVISM, & STORYTELLING series, they hope screenings like this will start conversations around healthy relationship and educate people about HIV/AIDS. With conviction, Nathan explained, “This was divinity inspired and divinely carried.”

There is no shortage of talent in this film as the cast features the likes of Teyonah Parris, Nick Few, Pauletta Washington, Rodney Chester, Emmett Short, and V. Bozeman.

The film takes us into the lives of Jessica, played by Teyonah Parris, and Talyor, played by Nic Few, after 90 days of dating. After claiming, “I have known her since I meet her”. Taylor is tested after Jessica tells him a secret that threatens to undo everything they created together. This film asks us to answer the question is love greater than anything?

The power of the film is in the way it approaches the topic of HIV/AIDS. It tackles stigma through a personal narrative that shows us the pain and hope someone with HIV lives with. How does one find love and intimacy while being HIV positive? Far from a presentation of data, this is an emotional call that shakes our very beliefs.

After the screening, a thoughtful panel focused on knowing your HIV status in a relationship and how to you have that conversation along with getting tested. There was no shortage of wisdom and knowledge on stage. Panelists shared with the audience ways to move beyond the stigma and having open conversations through couple HIV testing, normalizing testing in the community, and telling your story about HIV.

Facing issues like HIV/AIDS can seem daunting but with healthcare professionals, political leaders, artists, and loved ones coming together at this event it is clear that there is a community of love that can conquer all.