Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler Will Spend Oscar Sunday Raising Money For #Flint

Ava DuVernay (Selma) and Ryan Coogler (Creed) are undoubtedly part of the esteemed bunch of Hollywood directors that are making waves in an industry that has come under fire for not making allowances for people of color who have consistently proved their worth.

The furor over the validity of #OscarsSoWhite has put a major damper on things this year – and while some celebs like Will Smith and actress wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, and director Spike Lee, have decided to avoid the festivities in an effort to raise awareness about the blatant lack of diversity amongst the nominees this year – others like DuVernay and Coogler have opted to focus their energy elsewhere.
A live event benefiting the victims of the national disaster that has overtaken Flint, Michigan called #JUSTICEFORFLINT has been scheduled for this Sunday night, which happens to be the same day as the biggest party of the year.
Hannibal Burress- the comic best known for turning America’s Favorite TV Dad into The Most Hated Man in America – will be hosting the festivities which will be streaming live from Flint, Mich.
#JUSTICEFORFLINT was made possible thanks to the organization – Blackout for Human Rights which both Coogler and DuVernay founded as a way to spotlight issues that strictly violate basic human rights.
In a statement expressing the mission of the benefit – Coogler highlighted the importance of giving those who’ve been victimized by a callous system – an outlet to express their grief and assist them during the process of healing.
“With the #JUSTICEFORFLINT benefit we will give a voice to the members of the community who were victims of people who are paid to protect them, as well as provide them with a night of entertainment, unity and emotional healing”. “Through the livestream we will also give a chance of people around the world to participate, and to donate funds for Flint’s youth”.
Grey’s Anatomy’s Jesse Williams, Empire’s Jussie Smollett and singer/actress Janelle Monae will also join in on the fun alongside other presenters and performers.
The crisis in Flint, is a stunning and crushing examination of the deplorable treatment of America’s forgotten who are left to sink or swim in the filth that those in power purposely ignore for the betterment of themselves.
Nobody understands this more than DuVernay who perfectly sums up why her organization is dedicated to seeking justice for the people of Flint: “Blackout for Human Rights stands with all those affected by the water crisis, and is committed to supporting efforts on the ground to find sustainable, long-term solutions and, most importantly, achieve justice for the people of Flint”.