A dramatic reading of George Matthew Johnson’s critically-acclaimed novel, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto, will occur on Monday, February 8 at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST. This free virtual event is brought to you by The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with iN-Hale Entertainment and All Tea No, Shade Productions.
For this event three chapters of the book, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto, are performed by Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”), Dyllón Burnside (“Pose”), Bernard David Jones (“The Mayor”), and Thomas Hobson (“Sherman’s Showcase”). Nathan Hale Williams directed, adapted, and produced this short film project.
The three-part virtual event will feature live performances, a virtual art installation curated by African American contemporary art dealer/curator Rodney LoveJones, and music featuring Black artists. The evening will conclude with a roundtable discussion moderated by Tai Beauchamp to push away the fear of stigma and replace it with love. The goal of this event is to have a sobering conversation that will help bring about change.
Also awarded the Amazon Best-Book of the Year 2020, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto was recently optioned by Gabrielle Union and Sony TV for television.
For more information on the virtual event, click here for a complimentary digital ticket experience. This event is in support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2021 with the theme of “Stigma Gotta Go.”
ABOUT THE BOOK
All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto is the bestselling and award-winning debut book by George Matthew Johnson – an award winning non-binary writer, author and activist living in New York City. Johnson’s memoir-manifesto, explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, “Nanny” (played by Lewis), to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing appeals directly to young adults. The book was selected as one of 2020’s best by Kirkus, Amazon and Goodreads. Johnson identified as he/him when the book was written.
