Toni, performed by
Martinique Moore

Martinique Moore was born in Newark, New Jersey, and nurtured in Georgia and North Carolina. She graduated with honors from University High School, then went on to obtain an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Essex County College in NJ, and a B.A. from Rutgers University in Television and Media, with a minor in Social Work.

Ms. Moore has had leading roles in stage plays You Can Run, But You Can't Hide and Looking For Love, and independent films, such as Thug Life and A River Runs. Presently, she does voice-over work, script writing, and promotional grass roots efforts to advertise for companies such as Real-hiphop.com, Body Language Productions, and the underdogs of the east coast.

Ms. Moore remarks, "Over the course of several months, a team drew from the real life focus groups of true life situations with the men in their lives. Through open discussions I helped create the dialogue within the story."

"AIDS awareness is very near to my heart. I've watched family, friends and several unknown people lose their lives. So when I was given the opportunity to use my voice as a script writer, and my skills as an actress, I jumped at the task. This wasn't a job. This was an opportunity to work with a grassroots effort to give these women a voice often ignored."

Mike, performed by
Benu Muhammad

He is a proud parent and loving husband who currently resides in Newark, NJ. He has been a strong advocate for fitness and health for the last eight years.

Benu is a certified personal trainer and an accomplished writer and poet. He enjoys acting, playing basketball, mcing, beat boxing and, how his character would put it, "chillin with his boys." He has a strong desire for theater and film.

Benu enjoyed being apart of the making of the film. It was made to show people out there what the real world is like.

He was very excited to be given the opportunity to take part in a wonderful video production. "It wasn't the same as being cast in other films, this actually meant something."

Valerie, performed by
Vanessa Garcia

The character of Valerie is played by Vanessa Garcia. A Rutgers University graduate with a bachelor's degree in Television and a concentration in Drama. She lives in Newark, NJ. Vanessa enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling.

Ms. Garcia assisted with the script writing for the story about Toni, Mike and Valerie. She was cast soon after the script was created. She was perfect for the part. Vanessa is grateful to be apart of such a wonderful project that is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS.

TV Art is her life *** Acting is her passion

Khaliff, performed by
Laurence Covington

Laurence Covington had his first taste for acting as a child on the set of The Verdict with Paul Newman. After serving 6 years in the United States Air Force, Laurence was honorably discharged from the military and moved back to New York to continue his acting career.

Following in the footsteps of his father (actor Laurence S. Covington, All The Presidents Men), Laurence began taking acting classes at Nassau Community College and participating in seminars in and around New York city.

Laurence has had experience in Off-Broadway theater, voice-over work, music videos, television and cinema. He has showcased his athleticism as a football player in Julie Taymor's Across The Universe and had his first principle role opposite Harvey Keitel in A Crime as the "young Harlem man". He played the lead character in the short film Native New Yorker and is continuing to gain experience on stage and on screen. Laurence Covington is a versatile character actor who brings energy and an authentic feel to the characters he plays.

Diamond, performed by
Yasmine Weaver

This Virginia Beach, Virginia, native is an Actress/Model living in Jersey City, New Jersey. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Virginia Commonwealth University, she went on to become a News Reporter for FOX and ABC in Pennsylvania and hosted Wavelength, an entertainment TV show.

She has performed in numerous plays and independent films in the tri-state area. Ms. Weaver completed a one year program in Meisner Technique at the William Esper Studio in Manhattan, will and will continue Meisner Scene Study at The Neighborhood Playhouse.

Having experienced firsthand the impact of this health crisis on her family with the death of her grandfather from AIDS, Ms. Weaver explains that "It was an ultimate pleasure to partake in such a meaningful project. I hope we as actors have presented a realistic view on how HIV can spread and how prevention can save lives. If we have touched someone enough so that they may think about the consequences of living a risky lifestyle, then we have done our job and that is such a rewarding accomplishment!"

News Reporter, performed by
Penelope Griffin

Penelope Griffin, born and raised in Newark, NJ, has been a performing and visual artist and writer for several years. She is extremely dedicated to her professions and enjoys working on major projects and community outreach programs as well.

Over the past year she had the opportunity to work on this HIV prevention project for Rutgers University, and also on a national campaign project for Cure Autism Now.

Her major projects include Law & Order, Nickelodeon and major motion pictures such as We Own the Night and August Rush. Ms. Griffin is presently working on a commercial pilot The Narrow Road as a principle character, Deborah. This pilot is in development to be presented to major market cable networks.

Make-up artist,
Tina Truncellito

Currently a nursing student at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, College of Nursing, Newark Campus, I have been working with Dr. Rachel Jones as a script writer and Research Assistant since May 2005. With the studies of Nursing and a background in Theater and Film, the research became a perfect opportunity to utilize my skills. Learning web design has given me an added benefit in delivering information and research to the public. I am honored to take part of The Women’s Project to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and to help women in the community and elsewhere. Interests: health research, furthering education in Nursing, cosmetics/makeup application, theater and film.