HEAR THE MUSIC Podcast - Mental Health Awareness Jennifer Ayers-Moore

Tradae' Moore


Tradae’ Moore, Development Specialist with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Georgia). Originally from Maywood, Illinois, Tradae’ is a mental health advocate who fights for herself, as well as for family and friends. Tradae’ states, “Mental health is an area of health that affects every one of us, and there needs to be more people willing to have the conversations necessary to rid the generational curses that we as African Americans continue to face. I have learned that it is up to us to gain the knowledge to afford everyone the same opportunities in life. I want to make sure that if no one else does, I have a better understanding of individuals living with a mental health condition.”
Tradae’ is responsible for the NAMI Georgia Walk and is going full speed ahead to make sure it is successful for 2020, in spite of the current issues we all face as it relates to “covid 19.” To be a part of this years NAMIGA Walk go to http://www.namiwalks.org/georgia, please consider creating a team or joining a team. The “Nathaniel Ayers – The Soloist” team welcomes your donations and participation, you can find us at: https://www.namiwalks.org/team/38977

Over ten years ago, I received an email from Rebecca (left), she had gone to see the movie The Soloist, with a friend.  The film is about my brother Nathaniel and his newfound very unlikely friendship with a Los Angeles Times journalist.  She was so moved by the simple fact that someone ventured out to do such a film, that depicted a friendship of support for a man who has a mental health condition, one she is familiar with because she shares the same diagnosis, schizophrenia.  She was so moved that she went back to see the movie again two more times, by herself.  We began to communicate, by phone, email, and social media.  Over the years I can easily say that Rebecca, her mother Claire and I, are three people who have also developed an unlikely friendship, which is based on truth, reality, support for each other, love, and oh the appreciation of a good cup of coffee.  In this Hear The Music episode you will hear Rebecca's "music" as it relates to events in her life that were dark moments but she made it through and is standing TALL, she turned the darkness into a light to help others.  She has turned those tough times into a way to shine, she certainly has been an inspiring light for me.  

Cris is a screenwriter, film director, author, and friend.  He went to Harvard, with the intention of pursuing a career as a novelist and poet.  His interest began to grow toward photography and the history of cinema and that led him to explore the world of filmmaking.  Eventually, he changed his major and schools, he enrolled to attend New York University where he received a BFA in Film and Television.  Afterward, in 1988 he founded Messenger Films (www.messengerfilms.com) and produced his first dramatic film, Ropa Nueva para Felipe, (New Clothes for Felipe).  In 1989 Cris earned his MFA in film from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Cris produced and directed his film entitled, Sabina K. and in June 2016 he won Best Picture and Best International Film at ICVM in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Cris also is responsible for an exceptional global film entitled, More Than Dreams, which you may watch the five-part series on YouTube. Currently, Cris and his team is working on a new independent film entitled, The Puzzle Factory, (https://www.puzzlefactorymovie.com) a very touching story that he uses his truth to share, as it relates to his son who has a mental health condition.  You can see the trailer on his webpage.   I first met this talented filmmaker in St. Paul, Minnesota at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Minnesota) conference.  I was the keynote speaker.  Cris has done a great deal of hard work with the film, The Puzzle Factory, but could still use support, as mentioned it is an independent film.  Please help Cris get this important story (taken from his own life) out for all to see, and to have an even better understanding of what a person with a mental health condition goes through, as well as the family.  To support Cris go to www.messengerfilms.com, Messenger Films is a 501c3 organization so your contribution is tax-deductible.  Thank you for your time.