YOUTH CULTURE & NEWS

PREACHER'S KID helps Haiti relief

By Chris Well | February 2010

When the film Preacher's Kid opened in select theater January 29, Gener8Xion Entertainment donated 100-percent of its share of opening night film receipts to charities helping the victims in Haiti, including Smile of a Child, Friend Ships and Samaritan's Purse.

"My family has shared a long-time love for the people of Haiti," says Gener8xion CEO Matthew Crouch, one of the film's producers. "Having made numerous trips there over the years as my mother funded a hospital and supported an orphanage, it's touched our hearts to see how the world has stepped forward to give so generously to the relief efforts. We conceived this as a wonderful opportunity to keep attention focused on a tragic situation as well as give people a way to utilize something they'd ordinarily be doing -- going to a movie Friday night -- to be a blessing to the Haitian people."

A modern retelling of the story of the prodigal son, former-Destiny's Child Letoya Luckett stars as a sheltered pastor's daughter who decides to strike out from her strict father's home and soon finds herself in compromising situations and ashamed to return home. "The underlining theme is you can always come back home," says screenwriter and director Stan Foster.

Also in the cast are Sharif Atkins ("White Collar"), producer, songwriter and recording artist Tank, Grammy-nominated R&B crooner Trey Songz, Greg Alan Williams ("Remember the Titans", "Baywatch"), Essence Atkins ("Half & Half", "Are We There Yet?"), EMI gospel artist Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, veteran actor Clifton Powell, and Tammy Townsend ("Sherri").

The film opened in more than 100 theaters in 33 markets. With theaters generally keeping upwards of 60-percent of box office revenue, Gener8Xion estimated that approximately one-third each ticket sold will go directly to provide immediate relief to Haiti. For more information information about the film, go to www.preacherskidfilm.com.