By: Sylvia Monique Massey

It’s not often that Hollywood comes to the windy city but this past Labor Day Weekend Chicagoans had a little something extra in store for them. The Tate brothers: Larenz, Lahmard and Larron came home to host their second annual celebrity weekend to promote awareness for Sickle Cell Anemia. The three L’s were on hand to discuss their personal afflictions with Sickle Cell, Tatemen Entertainment and future projects.

The mission of the weekend was to heighten consciousness about the illness and “show appreciation to the city that has always supported the Tate brothers,” says Larenz who starred opposite leading ladies like, Nia Long and Jada Pinkett-Smith. We have family members and friends that carry the trait, it’s only fair to start [giving] somewhere with things we can relate to,” says Larron, the oldest sibling. The weekend incorporated the celebs and the people of the community who spent effortless time with the young patients—making the children feel good about themselves.

Larenz and Lahmard called on some of their fellow actors to help kick off the weekend. Terrance Howard (The Best Man), Meagan Good (Deliver Us from Eva), Faizon Love (Friday) and Idris Elba (The Wire) are just a few of the friends who attended the weekend-long bash. The weekend schedule was comprised of a funky black tie affair, which gave fans and professionals a chance to meet and mingle.

The event included a fashion show, dancing and gourmet buffet. Portions of the ticket proceeds were donated to the County Care Foundation to benefit pediatric patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and LaRabida Children’s Hospital & Research Center’s Sickle Cell Anemia Fund.

A celebrity bowling party gave the brothers and special guests a chance to have some fun and one on one time with the children from the various foundations. An after party was held at club District, that same evening. The weekend also included a celebrity luncheon where the stars were on hand to have lunch and read to the children.

Tatemen Entertainment is one reason Larenz hasn’t been on the seen lately. Fans around the world have missed his laid-back charisma and schoolboy smile. The promising actor who was featured in films like, Dead Presidents and Love Jones has been spending much of his off time with his brothers crafting opportunities for other actors. The company is comprised of writers, actors and a production team. Larenz desires to create better roles for Blacks in film. “The quality is not the same as other Hollywood movies. We don’t get the same opportunities as Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks. But that doesn’t stop us and that’s why we’re creating better [outlets].” Larron shares the same sentiment, “it’s all entertainment, if the audience demands better than they will get better [movies], its supply and demand.”

Larenz, Lahmard and Larron have a lot on their plate. In the near future, Lahmard will debut his talents as a producer when The Crib arrives in video stores. Acting, producing films and promoting awareness for Sickle Cell are some of the accolades the businessmen wear on their shoulders. The celebrity weekend extravaganza hosted by the brothers opened the door to unity, support and compassion. Job well done!

Sponsors for the Tate Celebrity Weekend include: Aon Corporation and Reebok