Hearts and Minds

Eye on the USA

cee cee michaela teaches young girls about celibacy
(Image credit: Marvi Lacar)

These balloons, clutched by the young, faithful attendees of the Holywood Christian Retreat in Atlanta, GA, symbolize the pain from hurtful past relationships and will be released into the sky as part of a purity ceremony. The annual event is organized by the proudly celibate Cee Cee Michaela, who left a role on the CW's Girlfriends because themes in the show ran counter to her faith. For three days, Michaela teaches self-esteem, creativity, and, most important, abstinence from sexual activity to as many as 700 youths as young as 12, from 50 churches across the country.