Sunday, January 23, 2011

IN CASE YOU MISSED US: (Video) Message Media Ed's In-Studio Radio Interview on KPFK 90.7FM!


A poll by the Pew Research Center this past Summer documented a new development in the digital divide between racial groups. The Center found that Blacks and Latinos use mobile phones to access the internet at a higher rate than whites. People of color have lagged behind whites in personal computer ownership, but this is changing as lap-top ownership is equalizing. Still, a lower percentage of Blacks and Latinos have broadband internet service at home compared to whites. The higher reliance on cell phones for internet access is keeping pace with new technologies that make phones multi-functional. However research shows that people with a PC engage in a wider variety of online activities than phone users. A Pew Center researcher told the AP that, for example, it’s a lot harder to update a resume through a phone than it is on a computer. The poll’s findings suggest that mobile phone users are more likely to limit internet activity to personal communications and entertainment. In South Los Angeles a community group called Message Media Ed is working to bridge the divide and increase digital media literacy among communities of color. Message Media Ed has workshops and trainings such as, “Digital Elder” and “Diversity Leaders”, focusing on empowerment through skills training and community building. Message Media Ed focuses on the African American community and experience. Its model of leadership building and empowerment is rooted in the complex experiences of blacks in the US, and the media’s relationship to, and depictions of, communities of color.
GUEST: Shani Byard-Ngunjiri, founder of Message Media Ed, Brother J from X Clan
The deadline for the Digital Lyricist competition is February 4th. Find out more about Message Media and the contest atwww.messagemediaed.org or call 323-708-2526.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

NEWS UPDATE: 90.7FM Friday!; Nat'l Council Negro Women!; Digi-Elder Early Bird!; Writing Contest - 2 weeks left!; & much more!

Greetings Family!

Happy New Year and Happy New Us :))

We come from the school of 'We', not 'I'. Therefore 2011 for US means a year for COLLECTIVE cultural healing and COMMUNITY advancement!  Our goals this year and every day are to produce Black leadership for the Digital Age by increasing cultural awareness, media literacy and the African American presence online. This year we aim to close the digital divide and increase innovation in the Black community.  Will you join us???

I hope so!  We have multiple ways for you to do so... Enjoy our updates below. Calendar us in, and we look forward to seeing you soon! 

In service,

Shani

EVENTS FROM MESSAGE MEDIA ED...

***MESSAGE MEDIA ED ON KPFK-90.7FM THIS FRIDAY!***


Tune into Uprising Radio on KPFK-90.7FM this Friday, January 21st, 8am-9am PST...

featured guests: 
Brother J of X Clan, Founding Board Member, Message Media Ed
Shani Byard-Ngunjiri, Founder/Executive Director, Message Media Ed

with host/producer: 
Sonali Kolhatkar

discussing:
The mission and work of Message Media Ed and details regarding the Digital Lyricist - Black History Writing Contest for South LA youth!

Tune in and visit http://UprisingRadio.org to listen online and to find local stations in your area!


***MESSAGE MEDIA ED FEATURED ON SUNDAY MORNING LIVE!***


Did you hear us on Sunday Morning Live, January 2, 2011?  Host and producer, Isidra Person-Lynn, featured a conversation in technology with special guests:

Ian Chestnut, Web Master & Developer at IVC Productions
William Beyers, Website Designer at Explorer Studios
Shani Byard-Ngunjiri, Founder/Executive Director of Message Media Ed, discussing The Digital Elder Project

If you missed it, catch the archived show here!  http://tobtr.com/s/1440444


***DIGITAL LYRICIST - BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONTEST!!!***

Application Deadline: Friday, February 4th!

Please click and watch our video promo, featuring Brother J of X Clan and Shani Byard-Ngunjiri! lol

This is a unique writing contest for South LA youth/young adults (ages 13-25), and we have been all around town promoting it!  

Special thanks to participating schools and after-school programs:

A Place Called Home
Accelerated School
Westchester High School
Junipero Serra High School
Al-Hibah School
LEAP After School Program @ La Tijera & Warren Lane Middle Schools
Inglewood High School
FAMLI After School Program @ Audubon Middle School
Challengers Boys & Girls Club
Fernando Pullam Performing Arts High School
Lou Dantzler Preparatory High School
John Muir Middle School

The deadline is approaching!  
Parents - Educators - Directors - Counselors... Please share!

All details here --> http://MessageMediaEd.org 
 

***MESSAGE MEDIA ED & NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN!***

You are invited to join the National Council of Negro Women for their Black History Celebration!

Film screening and panel discussion of...

Legacy: Black and White in AmericaFebruary 5, 2011, @12pm


Shani Byard-Ngunjiri, Founder/Executive Director of Message Media Ed, will be joining other featured panelists, to discuss how far we've come and the path ahead. 

This is a FREE event for ALL AGES
National Council of Negro Women House
(3720 West 54th St. Los Angeles, Ca. 90047)

Refreshments will be served immediately after the program
Please call Anita @ 310-351-5833 or Yolanda @ 323-779-7934 for more info.


***SANKOFA DIGI-FAMILY DAY - FEBRUARY 2011***


CALENDAR THE DATE - RSVP TODAY - SPACE IS LIMITED!

Sunday, February 27, 2011, 3-6pm @ Earlez Grille (3930 Crenshaw Blvd. 90016)
RSVP Required: 323-708-2526 or info@messagemediaed.org

Join Message Media Ed to kick off our programs for 2011!



Experience our mission!  
Enjoy fun, youth/adult activities!
Learn about and register for programs (The Digital Elder Project & Diversity Leaders)!  
Enjoy youth performances by our Digital Lyricist - Black History Month Contest finalists!

Special guest appearance by: Brother J of X Clan!

FREE food! FREE admission! 

Looking forward to seeing you there!


***THE DIGITAL ELDER PROJECT - MARCH 2011 - CATCH THE EARLY BIRD!***

Join the rest of our Digital Elder graduates, and become a Digital Elder in 2011! 

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!  The next Digital Elder retreat takes place on Saturday & Sunday, March 12 & 13 @ the LA Urban League West Adams/Baldwin Hills WorkSource Center!

Catch the early bird and register today at http://DigitalElder.org  Full & partial scholarships available to participants in need as well!

Using the role of the traditional African elder as a guide, a Digital Elder is a role model who utilizes modern tools of communication, to listen, nurture, guide, acknowledge, share wisdom and affirm. 

The Digital Elder Project is funded in part by the California Consumer Protection Foundation.

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***OTHER GOOD STUFF ASSOCIATED WITH MESSAGE MEDIA ED***

>> Building Your Brand in the Blogosphere - a critical workshop for those of you familiar with social media and who are ready to take your online presence to the next level. Saturday, January 29th, 10am-1pm @ Lucy Florence, choose the blog platform that's right for you, learn how to maximize on your content, and make the best networking decisions with your contacts. Learn from two veterans in social media marketing and global broadcast journalism, Joanne Griffith of Jane Hannah Media & Christabel Nsiah-Buadi!  Registration deadline: Thursday, January 20th! Click here for all details and registration infohttp://DigiVenture.org

>>  Tell Your Story w/ Amy Shimshon-Santo - a powerful writing, blogging, and podcasting workshop series.  Join "The Big Read" on January 27th, at William Grant Still Art Center (2520 S. West View St., LA 90016) as the West Adams reading club reads, The Joy Luck Club, and begin writing, recording and blogging your own personal stories through a series of writing workshops (Thursdays, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24). Brought to you by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. More information, call 213-847-1540.