The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., in collaboration with the Buffalo Documentary Project, will premiere FIGHT FOR GOOD, a 20-minute film documenting the Federally Qualified Health Center’s efforts to provide continuous care to underserved patients of color in the face of inequity and systemic racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary also explores the impact of Covid-19 on FQHCs and doctors in the “Fight”; the leadership role of women of color; and the challenges presented by healthcare disparities.

In partnership with the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State College, the premiere will take place Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, N.Y., 14222.

A virtual premiere of FIGHT FOR GOOD will be available for online viewing beginning at 7:30 p.m. at  https:// buffalodocumentaryproject.com/fight-for-good/.  There will be a short panel discussion immediately following the film presentation.  The film can also be viewed on WBBZ MeTV on April 29, May 6, and May 13, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.

“In the summer of 2020, the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. was approached by the Buffalo Documentary Project (BDP), to explore the possibility of sharing our stories with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic that was plaguing the world and severely threatening the lives of the communities that we serve,” said Dr. Ansari. “Fast forward to the Spring of 2021 and we are both humbled and honored to benefit from the tremendous film-making artistry of the BDP team; and indeed, extremely grateful to have this opportunity to share the experiences and voices of our all too often unheard women, men and children of color. By dedicating ourselves to serving them, we stand with them. But much more than that, in body, mind and spirit, we are them.”

Founded by director Mani Mehrvarz in 2016, the Buffalo Documentary Project (BDP) tells the untold stories of Buffalo and Western New York through documentary filmmaking. Maryam Muliaee, a media artist-scholar and educator based in Buffalo, serves as the art director, researcher and animator of Buffalo Documentary Project. Naila Ansari, an assistant professor in Theatre and Africana studies at Buffalo State College and an original and former principal dancer for the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, serves as documentary interviewer. For more information about BDP go to http://buffalodocumentaryproject.com/

The Burchfield Penney Art Center was Established in 1966 on the campus of SUNY Buffalo State, the Burchfield Penney Art Center is dedicated to the art and vision of renowned American artist Charles E. Burchfield (1893–1967) and the distinguished artists of Western New York State. For more information about the Burchfield Penney Art Center go to https://www.burchfieldpenney.org/

The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc., is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating four patient centers across Western New York in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Lockport, and Niagara Falls, and a Mobile Healthcare Unit. CHCB, Inc. is committed to serving all patients, regardless of ability to pay; offering discounted fees for patients who qualify.  CHCB, Inc. accepts most all insurance including Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Focused on Patient Centered Medical Care, the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. is also an LGBTQIF friendly organization.  www.chcb.net 

“We are truly blessed to have this opportunity to share what we believe are some of the most important conversations of our time. We are but one, and with others, we quickly become many and our power to affect change is infused with significance and possibility,” said Dr. LaVonne Ansari, CHCB Executive Director and CEO.