Fight for Good

2020 | 22 min

"Fight for Good" is a concise, 22-minute documentary produced by the Buffalo Documentary Project in collaboration with the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. It offers an insightful look into the center's vital work during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the virus on communities of color and the systemic inequities in healthcare. Through the personal and professional journeys of three women of color—an executive and two physicians at CHCB—the film portrays their collective mission to combat health disparities. "Fight for Good" serves as a poignant testament to the challenges and aspirations of those at the forefront of striving for a fair and equitable healthcare system.

  • In the summer of 2020, the Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. was approached by the Buffalo Documentary Project 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. 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. Indeed, we are 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.

    By participating in this 22-minute film entitled Fight For Good, we have shared and learned by giving voice to our common humanity, including our innermost fears of personal vulnerability and loss. Herein are our frustrations and hopes for a healthcare system that is on one hand truly miraculous, and on the other, afflicted with implicit bias and systemic racism. Ultimately, our unshakable belief is that the fight for good is both righteous and winnable!

    We are truly blessed through the communications medium of film, to have this opportunity to invite you to engage in what we believe are some of the most important conversations of our present time. We invite your perspective, input, and ultimately, your voice. We are but one, but with yourself, and others, “we” quickly become many and as “many”, our power to affect change is infused with significance and possibility.

    Dr. LaVonne Ansari, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
    Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc.

Cast and Crew

Director and Editor: Mani Mehrvarz
Featuring: Dr. LaVonne Ansari, Dr. Kenyani Davis and Dr. Shilpa Kapoor
Director of Photography: Matthew A. Nardone
Art Director and Researcher: Maryam Muliaee
Audio: Michael Bouquard
Interview: Naila Ansari and Mani Mehrvarz
Camera Operator: Joe Blodgett
Photography: Brett Roedel
Gaffers: Mark Pasqualotto and Kash Costner