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LPB & EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARY PRESENT

BIKE VESSEL

A HEARTWARMING STORY OF A FATHER AND SON, WHO EMBARK ON A 350-MILE CYCLING JOURNEY.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, and Indie Lens Pop-Up, presented by ITVS and INDEPENDENT LENS, will host a screening of Bike Vessel, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. Bike Vessel follows the heartwarming journey of a father and son who embark on a cycling journey to celebrate their health transformation after the father overcame three open-heart surgeries at the age of 70.

Twenty years after Donnie Seals Sr. went through a medical crisis, he makes a miraculous health recovery after discovering his love for bicycling. Approaching the age at which his father underwent surgery and facing similar health conditions, Director Eric D. Seals proposes an ambitious idea to his father: bike together from St. Louis to Chicago—350 miles in 4 days.

Bike Vessel serves as a meditation on kinship and connection, centered on a father who reclaims his life against all odds. It also examines health disparities among Black men, who statistically have the lowest life expectancy and highest death rate of all racial and ethnic groups.

WHAT: FREE preview screening of Bike Vessel, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

WHO: Presenters: Louisiana Public Broadcasting, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, and Indie Lens Pop-Up

WHEN: Sunday, February 16 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: The Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, 70806

RSVP: www.lpb.org/bike-vessel

After the screening, there will be an engaging panel discussion about how healthy lifestyle habits and exercise, such as cycling, can encourage transformative health experiences including building relationships and overcoming adversity. The discussion will include prevalent health issues in Black communities and the importance of finding the ‘vessel’ that leads to a healthy lifestyle.

Panelists include: Charles Daniel, CEO & Owner of Geaux Ride, Dustin LaFont, Director and Founder of Front Yard Bikes, and Dr. Rani G. Whitfield (‘Tha Hip Hop Doc’), Board Certified Family Physician with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Robyn Merrick, Vice President for External Affairs and University Relations at Southern University and A&M College System. (Bios at www.lpb.org/bike-vessel/bike-vessel-panelists)

Bike Vessel will have open captions. There will be an ASL interpreter to enhance accessibility during the panel discussion. Additionally, the library will provide portable receivers/headphone units for audience members who may be hard of hearing.

Bike Vessel will debut on Tuesday, February 25 at 10 p.m. on LPB.


About Louisiana Public Broadcasting:
Since 1975, LPB has been the public television network for Louisiana with stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. LPB is also affiliated with WLAE-TV in New Orleans. In addition to its award-winning documentaries about Louisiana’s history and people, LPB is dedicated to helping children throughout the state develop literacy, math and science skills through educational resources and outreach programs.

About the East Baton Rouge Parish Library:
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is a community service organization that connects its citizens with information, materials, resources, technology, and experiences to make a positive difference in their lives. The Library contributes to the quality of life, enjoyment, enlightenment, and economic vitality of its diverse and dynamic community.

About Indie Lens Pop-Up:
Indie Lens Pop-Up is a community series that brings people together for film screenings and conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS's INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws together residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most.

About INDEPENDENT LENS:
INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series, presented by Independent Television Service (ITVS). It has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations, featuring documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers.