We Speak Entertainment
“STUDENTS ARE HEROES: A Sickle Cell Warrior’s Story” By “Music Brings Life”

Keenan “Special” Bristol, CEO and Founder of “Music Brings Life”, proudly presents a heartwarming film dedicated to bringing awareness of the shortage of blood donations for victims facing sickle cell disease by African-American, Latino and Caribbean donors. The movie is entitled “Students Are Heroes: A Sickle Cell Warrior’s Story.” This Sickle Cell/Blood Awareness film will be premiered in a screening and Red Carpet event on September 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM @ the Angelika Film Center, 18 W Houston Street in New York City.
Students Are Heroes Film Synopsis:
The narrative centers on Jordana Bristol, a high school student-athlete who collapses during track practice and is urgently admitted to the hospital. Diagnosed with a sickle cell crisis, Jordana faces a critical situation exacerbated by her development of antibodies from previous blood transfusions, which complicates the search for compatible blood.
Unfortunately, the hospital lacks the specific blood type required for her treatment, and Jordana is acutely aware that individuals from Black and Latino communities, who are more likely to have compatible blood, are underrepresented in blood donations.

As Jordana’s condition becomes increasingly dire, her only hope lies in the possibility that high school students may come forward to donate blood. The urgency of her situation underscores the vital role that these young donors could play in saving her life.
The film was directed and produced by Keenan “Special” Bristol, and co-produced by Prince.
CAST:
A Sickle Cell Warriors Story Talented Cast consists of Jordana Whyte (playing Jordana Bristol), Keenan “Special” Bristol (playing Dr. Alexander), Joanna Wactor (playing Isabell), Stacy Thomas (playing Dr. Stacy), Martin Bluth (playing Dr. Martin Bluth), Deigo Diaz (playing Dr. Princeton), Kia Rush (playing Martha Ellis), Melvin Thomas AKA King Melvin Brown (playing Principal Johnson), Layla Johnson (playing Stacy), Al Jetson (playing James), Jada Bourne (playing Giselle), Joven Elegado (playing Parker), Prince Forde (playing Michael), DJS1 (playing himself), DeAundre Addison (playing Ferris), Sherebiah Lawes (playing Tailah), Madison Thompson (playing a student), Serenity Eaddy (playing Ari) and Jeff Simon (playing a teacher).
Now you might be wondering what the difference is, as all blood knows no color except red… not so true. An RO donor has the power to save the lives of individuals battling sickle cell disease who require more extensively matched blood. 8 to 10 units are needed for adult patient for one transfusion exchange, which is over 60 units of blood pressure therapy. This means that 20 RO donors are needed to support that single patient. RO blood donors have special markers on their red blood cells which is uncommon. Since 44% of African-Americans/Latinos have RO blood markers, this makes them very special and very needed. Very often patients experienced the best outcomes when receiving life-saving blood from individuals of similar ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, donations in the Afro American and Latino community are scarce.
The film will be released for streaming late September. All proceeds and donations will be used for the 2025 “Heroes Donate Blood Concert” for all Students that Donate Blood. Music Brings Life plans to raise 10,000 pints of Genotypic Blood for patients with sickle cell anemia, Beta Thalassema and black transfused dependency patients in New York City.
The official website for Music Brings Life may be found at https://www.musicbringslife.org
For Press Inquiries contact Eileen Shapiro at worldstarpublicrelations@gmail.com
We Speak Entertainment
BET MEDIA GROUP HONORED BLACK LGBTQ+ TRAILBLAZER WITH A POWERFUL NIGHT OF CELEBRATION, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
FROM BOB THE DRAG QUEEN’S GROUNDBREAKING RECOGNITION TO HOPE GISELLES’S INSPIRING REMARKS– THE 3RD ANNUAL BET BLACK + ICONIC SOIREE HIGHLIGHTED THE BRILLIANCE AND IMPACT OF BLACK LGBTQ+ LEADERS

(New York, NY)– May 28, 2025 – The 3rd Annual BET Black + Iconic Soirée made its Washington, D.C debut with inspiring evening celebrating the past, present, and future of black LGBTQ+ excellence. The 2025 theme, “Excellence Ascending,” paid tribute to cultural change makers leading with authenticity, courage and purpose.
Hosted by entertainment journalist and Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée gathered trailblazers across activism, arts, business, and media for a powerful evening of storytelling , performance, and legacy-building.
Highlights from the BET Black + Iconic Soriée Included:
- Ashlee Davis, J.D. received the Executive Realness Award for her trailblazing work in civil rights leadership, including her legacy of impact across government and corporate sectors.
- Hope Giselle, a powerful advocate and author was named Emerging leader for her unrelenting work championing visibility and inclusion for Black trans communities.
- Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, was honored as Active Advocate for her decades of leadership advancing reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ rights.
- Ashlee Marie Preston, a nationally recognized activist and media strategist, accepted the Creative Visionary Award, saluted for using her voice to shift narratives and build intergenerational coalitions.
- Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning entertainer and global icon, received the Culture Trailblazer Award, closing the evening with a heartfelt speech about identity, freedom, legacy.
- The Center for Black Equity and the Take Resource Center each received $5,000 through the BET Thrive Fund Recognition, honored for their work advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness, equity and community organizing.
The night also featured a soul-stirring medley performance by Broadway powerhouse Avery Wilson, fresh off stage from The Wiz revival. Presenters included Eva Marcille (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Carter The Body (All The Queen’s Men, BET+), Bryan Terrell Clark (Diarra from Detroit, BET+), and Arrington Foster (The Family Business, BET+), each bringing star power and heartfelt tributes to the evening’s honorees.
“From the very beginning, we knew this couldn’t be just another event,” said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics and Co-Lead of Social Impact at BET, During his opening remarks. “It had to an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced and celebrate contributions that have shaped the world in powerful ways.”
The evening also spotlighted Gilead Sciences, a long standing partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Gilead’s Rashad Burgess, Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Health Equity, emphasized and the importance of equitable healthcare access, visibility, and long-term impact for Black LGBTQ+ communities.
Additionally, the event welcomed Truth Initiative as a new partner of the BET Black + Iconic Soirée. Dr. Kendrick Dartis, Vice president of Outreach and Engagement, addressed the urgent issue of tobacco use in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and emphasized the need for culturally relevant cessation support. He also announced a $5,000 BET Thrive Fund donation, sponsored by Truth Initiative, to Us Helping Us– a D.C.- based non profit dedicated to advancing health equity.
BET Black + Iconic Soirée stands as defining moment in the 45th anniversary year of the media group– underscoring its mission to center Black culture, honor its LGBTQ+ communities, and drive meaningful, measurable impact.
Join the conversation using #BlackAndIconic and relieve the nights most powerful moments on BET’s official social channels. The Televised premiere date and time will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT BET MEDIA GROUP
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ:PARAA;PARA), is the worlds largest media company dedicated too entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Back audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements visit bet pressroom.com.
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