In a time when anti-immigration rhetoric is scaling new heights in the US and the EU, there is a bright spot in the U.S. migration story. A New York City pilot program teaches first-generation high school students financial literacy and entrepreneurship. It is a win for all communities involved.
Afghan Chronicles: Day Five, A School Gets A Library
Today was one of the days of shooting that will go down as one of one of the most fulfilling days of not only shooting, but most fulfilling days, period. When working on a project, there is a process.
First, it’s the idea, something is here, a story, I am not sure what it is, but I can’t stop thinking about it, and I begin to shoot. Then the doubt sets in, what am I doing? Am I wasting my time and everyone else’s? And then there is the inevitable magic moment, and it always happens, where it all clicks. The hard work pays off and the moment arrives where you think, there is no other place or task that I would rather be doing than what I am doing at this moment. It is a moment of grace and flow, and when it happens, I feel extremely grateful. It motivates me when I am not feeling the “flow.” The memory and pursuit of these moments get me out of bed in the morning.
Continue reading “Afghan Chronicles: Day Five, A School Gets A Library”Columbia University Offers Scholarships To Students From Conflict Zones
Five years ago, Columbia Business School Professor, Bruce Usher, watched in horror and frustration as millions of Syrian civilians were displaced from their war-torn country to find shelter in neighboring Jordan, Turkey, Europe and elsewhere.
Former Eritrean Taxi Driver Turns Her Successful Restaurant Over To Her Sons
Almaz Ghebrezgabher, Co-Owner, Massawa Restaurant, is feeling a great sense of relief. After 30 years of cooking and managing the East African, Massawa Restaurant, with her husband, Amanuel Tekeste, she is expanding the restaurant, and turning the business over to her four children.
She has trouble articulating her happiness and feelings of accomplishment but when we watch her on the video, we share in her joy.
Continue reading “Former Eritrean Taxi Driver Turns Her Successful Restaurant Over To Her Sons”Is Investing In Africa For You?
Africa is a region that has long been on the radar of the international investment community. With the rise of mobile finance, agriculture and according to the UN, a labor force of 225 million young people ages 15-25, which is expected to 450 million by 2055, the continent is ripe for opportunities. Continue reading “Is Investing In Africa For You?”
What Do Kids Learn By Making Videos?
Our students at Brownsville Collaborative Middle School address their peers on what they learned about making videos at The Campus, an after-school program that teaches tech and media skills to kids in the Howard Houses in Brownsville, Brooklyn. It is the first computer lab developed in public housing in the US.
Founded by Senator Jesse Hamilton (D),
to address this systemic problem of inequality, Senator Hamilton assembled teachers and community leaders to bring tech resources to Brownsville.
We spent an academic year teaching kids about storytelling through photography and video. Their stories and observations can be seen on their blog: Brownsville Visible
In addition to the blog, check out the video below to learn what Emoni, Tyrese, Isiah and Kymani learned in making their stories.
To see the student videos, click on the links for the Brownsville Barber Guru and the interview with Local Hero, Brownsville Collaborative Middle School Principal, Gregory Jackson.
The Barber of Brownsville Doubles As Guru To Local Kids
Eddie Martinez started working in a barbershop in Brownsville when he was thirteen. His boss decided to retire and offered the then 18-years-old Martinez the chance to buy the business. Martinez jumped at the opportunity. Continue reading “The Barber of Brownsville Doubles As Guru To Local Kids”
Brownsville Middle School Students Interview Local Hero
Students from The Campus Mobile Storytelling Program interview Brownsville Collaborative Middle School Principal and Brownsville native, Gregory Jackson.
Continue reading “Brownsville Middle School Students Interview Local Hero”
Brownsville Media Lab Screens Films On Identity, Poverty and Police.
The Brownsville Community Justice Center and Reel Works screened films from the recent piloted Brownsville Media Lab program.
https://instagram.com/p/4B2w1CAFZd/?taken-by=jaycorcoran
The screenings took place at the
New York Institute of Technology Auditorium
1871 Broadway @ 63rd St.
The filmmakers tackled tough issues they are grappling in their young lives like identity, beauty, race, police, violence, poverty and grief. They felt a great sense of accomplishment and a stronger connection to the community by sharing very personal things they thought only they grapple with.
When asked what was the key thing he learned from the filmmaking process, Ray Graham said, “Patience. I wanted to quit the lab two times because I didn’t think the film was coming together.”
Judging from the audience’s supportive response, Graham’s patience and the gamble to open up paid off, they learned they are not alone with their feelings and perceptions about living in Brownsville Brooklyn in these volatile times.
The Brownsville Media Lab runs simultaneous with other tracks that include the Young Adult Entrepreneurship track, Community Benefits Projects track and the Mark Morris Dance Group track. All tracks are to develop our youth and provide new career opportunities that at one time seemed unimaginable.
Missed the screening? Check out the videos below.
Continue reading “Brownsville Media Lab Screens Films On Identity, Poverty and Police.”
Wellesley High School Girls Step Up
Out with the old and in with the new, Wellesley High School, in Wellesley, MA will tear down the old school. No need to worry that education is going down the tubes in this town. Wellesley will soon have a state-of-the-art high school right next door. But before the February demolition, beloved former English teacher, Jeanie Goddard, and community member, Gig Babson, organized a spectacular celebration, Turn Out The Lights, to mark the historic transition.
