Brooklyn, NY, May 16, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– People’s Film Festival on May 30
The dramatic short film, Following Directions, will make its USA premiere at The People’s Film Festival in Harlem on May 30, 2025. Directed by Joanna White-Oldham, the film is a powerful exploration of bias within the American education system. White-Oldham is best known for her work on award winning shorts, Here Is A Man (2022), The Company You Keep (2019) and the reality series Buried by the Bernards, Netflix (2020).
Following Directions tells the story of a gifted black boy who is wrongly placed in special education, shedding light on how student behavior can be misattributed to a disability rather than addressing underlying factors such as the classroom environment and instruction. The film’s lead, Santana White, delivers a nuanced performance as the young protagonist, whose struggle for equitable treatment echoes the experiences of many students.
Inspired by the director’s own journey navigating the education system with her son, Following Directions challenges audiences to confront the subtle ways bias can shape a child’s future. It’s a story born from lived experience and serves as both a personal testimony and a call for change.
“Although the events depicted in this film happened some time ago, I needed to share this story because this type of neglect continues,” says director White-Oldham. “My son’s journey opened my eyes to how quickly children are dismissed within public educational institutions.”
The film’s premiere at The People’s Film Festival marks a significant milestone, as the festival is renowned for uplifting diverse voices and stories that challenge social norms.
For more information about the film and its premiere, visit followingdirectionsfilm.com. To purchase festival tickets visit: www.thepeoplesfilmfestival.com/officialselections2025.
Author Denise A. Powis’s New Book, “Just be Yourself and No One Else!” Follows Three Punctuation Marks Who Try to Change Who They Are But Simply Cause Confusion
Copenhagen, NY, October 07, 2025 –(CarryOnHarry.com)– Denise A. Powis, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who enjoys painting, inventing, writing, and gardening, has completed her new book, “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!”: a heartfelt story that follows three punctuation marks who discover the importance of being true to themselves and what they do best.
In 2005, author Denise Powis received a bachelor of science degree from Empire State College, and she has worked for many years in the helping professions as a certified nursing assistant, home health aide, and substitute teacher for special education classes. At the present time, she teaches a Bible study/support group for women. In 1979, she won a 17 Islands National sailboat race.
In “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!”, readers are introduced to a period, an exclamation point, and a question mark who all long for a change of pace and decide to switch places one day. However, they soon discover they are not well suited for performing their new roles, and decide that they were made perfect for their original purpose.
Published by Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Denise A. Powis’s engaging tale will delight readers of all ages as they discover the importance of accepting one’s self and being true to who they really are. With colorful artwork and a powerful life lesson, “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!” will help boost confidence amongst young readers, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase “Just Be Yourself and No One Else!” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.
For additional information or media inquiries, contact Hawes & Jenkins at 888-430-7450.
The release of Magical Musical Memories aligns with research indicating music’s capacity to reduce stress and rekindle recollection among people living with dementia. It also echoes widely shared experiences—from football legend Sir Alex Ferguson to the family of singer Tony Christie—of music’s unique ability to unlock the past.
Inside the Community Spirit
“From the songs that we danced to at our first school dance, to the albums that became the soundtrack of our lives, each memory is a testament to the moments that have defined us,” said Helen Davies-Parsons, Chief Executive of Dormy Care Communities. “Music can transport us back to a specific time and place. Through these recollections, memories will now live on.”
How to Buy the Book—and Support Local Charities
The coffee-table style book is priced at £15. Copies can be purchased by contacting any of the five homes directly; card payments can be taken over the phone and books can be posted. A portion of every sale will be donated to local charities.
