5 BUCKS for Black Beauty?

HAAAAA!!! So exciting! This is a global fundraising event, Obama style... DONATE 5 BUCKS FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THIS WORLD THIS WEEK to support our work to empower the African American community in South Los Angeles, through media literacy, cultural awareness and leadership development! :-)

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That's correct family! We are raising $7,000 to repair and beautify the new home of Message Media Ed and we need each one of you to donate 5 bucks to help us reach our goal! Can you help us? CAN U SHARE, RE-POST, RETWEET & FORWARD AS WELL?

Please click on the link to make an online donation TODAY and for more details on this global fundraiser!  http://5bucksforblackbeauty.eventbrite.com 

If you'd like to mail us a donation, please address your check or money order to:

Message Media Ed

4923 W. Adams Blvd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90016

**Also, if you are in Los Angeles, we are hosting an exclusive performance by the legendary hip hop messenger Brother J of X Clan, and LA's very own diva emcee, Medusa, and other awesome artists to raise funds! This will be a clean and fun family show! Click here for all details! http://5bucksforblackbeauty.eventbrite.com

It takes place this Friday, 7-10pm, $5 admission, for all ages, to help us reach our target as well!

We are also raffling off 2 tickets to see an incredible play Quincy Jones describes as, "... a combination of soul and science" called, "The Word Begins" featuring Def Jam poets, Sekou tha Misfit and Steve Connell! (http://TheWordBegins.com)

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Interested in getting a sneak peek of our new home??? Want to see our wish list as well?  Check out my video blog (aka VLOG) here http://messagemediaed.blogspot.com/2011/07/vlogging-about-our-new-home-for-message.html :) And try not to laugh at me! lol

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Lastly, PLEASE forward this email on to your social circle. We need our village to support us :-) Thank you!

In service,

Shani

Vlogging about our new home for Message Media Ed lol! - part 1

Thank you for watching me go on and on lol! This was my first Vlog : -)

If you are interested in finding out what we need to help make our new home complete... here's our wish list:

INDOORS:

3 tablets or laptops or desktop computers (wifi ready)

folding chairs (brown or black)

front lobby chairs (2)

book shelves (wooden)

6" tables

sound system (speakers, amp, microphone)

love seat (fun color)

cushy chair (fun color)

bean bags (fun colors)

coffee maker

plants

projector screen

OUTDOORS:

patio furniture: wooden benches, picnic table, end tables and lounge chairs, a tent, a table with fire pit inside (for smores! lol)

flowers for our flower beds

essentials to build an above-the-ground garden of fruits and vegetables


OR if you'd like to send us a donation, please do so to:

Message Media Ed
4923 W. Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016

OR 'send money' via PayPal to shani@messagemediaed.org

For more info in Message Media Ed, please visit http://MessageMediaEd.org or call 323-708-2526.

<3

MME Launches Community Bridge Initiative: A Vision for a Higher Ed, Media & Community Learning Circle

... Dedicated to the beauty in the struggle.

(click document below to enlarge)

What resources do you have to help this initiative manifest? 

Educators & Artists Say NO to the N-Word & Cursing for Teen Open Mic!

Digital Lyricist XChange Opens its Doors to South Los Angeles Youth Looking to Develop Their Talents in Hip Hop and Creative Writing

Los Angeles, July, 2011 – This summer, L.A. youth seeking a way to develop their talent will have a new place to call home.  The Digital Lyricist XChange, a Friday night open mic and talent search where teens between the ages of 13-18 can express themselves through rap, poetry, singing, and creative writing, will host its first session on Friday, August 5, 2011 from 6 to 11 pm. Located in South Los Angeles, where such a venue is sorely needed, this MONTHLY event will fill a void left by a crumbling state budget that doesn’t place the arts on their list of priorities.

Dr. Shani Byard, who has a history of community activism through her organization, Message Media Ed – School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age, is excited about this new venture.  “Digital Lyricist XChange will allow us to offer a healthy, creative space -- free from the negativity we are used to hearing and observing in the media -- for young people to build their voices related to social issues affecting them, their families and neighborhoods. No drugs, cursing or use of the n-word allowed. We look forward to coaching and developing their performance skills as well”, she says. 

With Hip Hop culture and music being the dominant voice in today’s youth culture, it made sense to use Hip Hop as the primary medium of expression.  To that aim, the facilitators chosen for the role of leading the sessions all have experience in Hip Hop and education: Brother J, Founder of the Legendary Hip Hop group X Clan and Board Member of Message Media Ed, Sebastien Elkouby, Hip Hop educator for Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program, A-Ski, DJ and producer, Mark Anthony Benson, Hip Hop historian, educator, and active mentor to foster youth, and Jason ‘MPRVS’ Johnson, musician, producer and educator.

Dr. Byard says, “Selecting the team of co-facilitators was extremely easy because we all strategically work toward transforming Hip Hop music and culture in some capacity. We have all worked in the record industry as well. We look forward to building media literate, young leaders, proud of their culture and heritage, ready to challenge the Hip Hop norm by bringing balance to such a powerful culture and lifestyle."

DIGITAL LYRICIST XCHANGE < - ADVANCE CREATIVITY - located at Message Media Ed, 4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.  It will take place FIRST Fridays starting on Friday, August 5, 2011 from 6 to 11 pm.  Parents of youth under 18 are encouraged to sign up their children in advance.  The investment is $5 and snacks are included.  For more information and to RSVP, visit the Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116658531761286 or call 323-708-2526.

About Message Media Ed

Message Media Ed – School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age < - ADVANCE, is designed to close the digital divide and increase leadership and innovation in the African American community of South Los Angeles: culturally conscious role models and meaningful participants in the digital landscape. This is achieved by providing supportive, engaging learning environments for increasing cultural awareness, leadership development and skill building in media literacy, social media and information technology for youth, adults and seniors. For more info, visit MessageMediaEd.org.

Media Contact:

Joanne Griffith-Poplar

Jane Hannah Media

310-848-0757

info@janehannahmedia.com 

We Have BIG News! :)

Greetings Family!

We have BIG news!!! Last week, we secured our very first home for Message Media Ed! We will not only continue to provide your fav workshops, The Digital Elder Project, Diversity Leaders & Rise Above the Noise, but we can now host a series of African/African American themed symposiums, guest lectures, evening performances, an after-school program and much more!

We are now... Message Media Ed - School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age!

We are located at 4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 (just east of La Brea Blvd), and we are proud neighbors of the William Grant Still Arts Center!

Beginning July 1st, we will open our doors! We will host some summer programs (including The Digital Elder Project, Aug. 27th & 28th), and our Grand Opening Village Festival will take place on Saturday, September 17th, 3-8pm! FREE Admission! Bring the Family! (Please keep an eye out for the official e-invitation to RSVP - This will be a guest list only event)

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE! Make sure to enjoy the festivities as we celebrate this NEW chapter in the NEW home of Message Media Ed! (We are currently seeking African/African American themed vendors and sponsors to participate in our Grand Opening Festival - please email shani@messagemediaed.org to receive a vendor/sponsor packet)

Lastly, I wanted to share with you a recent video podcast created by Digital Elder graduates entitled, Jumping Across the Digital Divide... and they are literally jumping! Enjoy watching the podcast here and we'll be in touch with you with more good news...

It just keeps getting better :)

In service,

Shani

Dr. Shani :) 

Founder/Executive Director, Message Media Ed

Doctoral Candidate, School of Education

Loyola Marymount University

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Message Media Ed

School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age

**Our new home!

School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age

4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90016

Make an appointment for an orientation...

323-708-2526 cell or shani@messagemediaed.org

**Grand Opening: Sat. 9/17/11, 3-8pm!

http://MessageMediaEd.org

For all press/media inquiries, contact Joanne @ Jane Hannah Media

"We exist to empower... to nurture, challenge, heal and inspire. We are here most of all to ignite the beauty and brilliance within African American youth, and to cultivate a skilled, supportive community of growth and transformation." - Shani Byard

Digital Elders are JUMPING Across the Digital Divide!

When you participate in our most popular program, The Digital Elder Project - 2-day Empowerment Retreat, you not only have the opportunity to become more culturally aware, build skills in computer operation, social media and internet navigation, make new friends, and grow as a community, but you also engage in digital storytelling! All Digital Elder graduates create a video podcast designed to educate, inspire and/or empower the African American community in some way.

Please enjoy a recent video podcast, "Jumping Across the Digital Divide"...

Although The Digital Elder Project is primarily designed for seniors and adults, strengthening intergenerational communication is a key outcome of this program. Therefore, youth are invited to participate as well! 

Please join us for the next...

Digital Elder Project - 2-day Empowerment Retreat!

Saturday and Sunday, August 27th & 28th 

@ our new home... Message Media Ed - School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age

4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90016 (just east of La Brea Blvd.)

EmPower Online and in the African American Community

Ages 13-100 welcome!

All information regarding registration is here! If you would like to register through the mail, please email shani@messagemediaed.org to receive a registration packet. The deadline for Early Bird registration is Friday, August 5, 2011!

Want more info on becoming a Digital Elder? Please check out our programs at Message Media Ed

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

We Just HAD to Share...

This is a letter from one of the Digital Elder Scholarship recipients, made possible by the California Consumer Protection Foundation... I just had to share :) Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Dear Friends and Supporters of Message Media Ed,

Thank you so much for the opportunity you have given me, to participate and learn so much in the 2 day empowerment retreat, The Digital Elder Project. It made me aware of the concerns and issues affecting thecommunity today and want to take action. We shared so much knowledge and it was so refreshing to work and learn in such a nurturing environment. The Elders in the class were so interesting and inspiring as well as the facilitators. I feel as if I've leaped light years in knowledge about social media. I now have email skills; I have a facebook page; and I Twitter!!! I can see how I can grow my new business with these tools. I have been unemployed for the last 6 months and this project has helped to equip me with some of the skills I can use to get employment.

Dr. Shani you and your giving staff show such commitment to the needs of the community its awe inspiring, you made me want to be more involved. I have stepped up my service. Please continue to offer the Digital Elder Project. It's so, so, needed.

Thank you peace and blessings,

Digital Elder graduate

**The next Digital Elder Project - 2-day Empowerment Retreat is Sat & Sun, August 27 & 28th! Save the date and email me for a registration packet... All ages - All skill levels - Come prepared to use new media tools to help resolve the issues facing the African American community!  This retreat is like nothing you've experienced before... :)

Dr. Shani :) 

Founder/Executive Director, Message Media Ed

Doctoral Candidate, School of Education

Loyola Marymount University

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Message Media Ed - Innovators Uncovered

School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age

Mailing Address: 6709 La Tijera Blvd #155

Los Angeles, Ca 90045-2017

Hours of Operation: Tues-Thurs, 10am-6pm

323-708-2526 cell

shani@messagemediaed.org

http://MessageMediaEd.org

For all press/media inquiries, contact Joanne @ Jane Hannah Media

"We exist to empower... to nurture, challenge, heal and inspire. We are here most of all to ignite the beauty and brilliance within African American youth, and to cultivate a skilled, supportive community of growth and transformation." - Shani Byard

Becoming Dr. Shani :)

Greetings Family!

I am happy to announce I graduated from Loyola Marymount University this past weekend with a Doctorate in Education! Although I still have a few, small loose ends to tighten up on my dissertation, I have walked across the stage, and I'm ready to begin the new chapter of my life as Dr. Shani Anana Byard-Ngunjiri!

My goal for pursuing a doctoral degree in education was not to get a job or a higher pay grade. Many of you know and/or have experienced my work with Message Media Ed, either through The Digital Elder Project, Diversity Leaders, Rise Above the Noise, the Hopscotch Element, or through our other professional development trainings in social media marketing, one-on-one computer tutoring, etc. With that said, I entered the doctoral program at LMU because I had a theory I wanted to explore at a scholarly level, as I practiced it hands-on in the community. This theory is the core of Message Media Ed, the principles by which we operate, and the organizational framework in which we work. Please read the organizational framework on our home page here http://MessageMediaEd.org

My theory relates to the combination of African-centered and media literacy education, as a formula for mentally liberating African American descendants of the trans-atlantic slave trade. The title of my dissertation is: Combining African-Centered and Critical Media Pedagogies: A 21st Century Approach Toward Liberating the Minds of the Mis-educated in the Digital Age. You will hear more from me regarding my work in the months to come. :) And you can experience a version of it during The Digital Elder - 2-day Empowerment Retreat, May 21st & 22nd, at the LA West Adams/Baldwin Hills Worksource Center. (Pre-registration is required by Friday, May 13th) More info here: http://digitalelder52011.eventbrite.com or call 323-708-2526.

In the meantime, I am celebrating a major accomplishment! Over this past weekend, I participated in two significant graduation ceremonies. The first, on Friday, May 6th, was Kente Graduation, an African American rites of passage produced by the Office of Black Student Services and other key faculty and staff at LMU. Kente Graduation includes guest speakers/performers, African drummers, a naming ceremony, and the placement of kente cloth around the necks of the undergraduate and graduate students ending their studies at LMU.

I'm proud to share that during the Kente naming ceremony, I received a standing ovation when Dr. Cheryl Grills, Ph.D. announced I was the first Kente graduate to receive a Doctorate in its 20 year run at LMU! It felt amazing! My husband was able to catch a bit of the applause below on video. What you can't see is how packed the chapel was as well!  I was given the name: Adwoa Sabola Maat, meaning, "The prophetess guided by justice."

Lastly, Sunday, May 8th was the official graduation for all graduate students receiving their Masters and Doctorates! As you can see in the photo at the top of this post (as my dissertation chair, Yvette Lapayese, Ph.D., prepares to place the hood over my head), I was elated!  I am still floating!

I look forward to sharing this important work with you!  Please make it a point to peruse our website, attend our workshops, share our mission, and look out for books, articles, and more events from me. I am focused on tackling the root issues contributing to the plight of African Americans in the Digital Age... one youth, adult, and/or senior, at a time! This is my calling and I am answering it. Our village must heal and reconnect to our essence. Only then, will humankind advance. 

Many blessings to you and I hope to see you soon!

In service,

Dr. Shani

Scholarships Available!

Greetings Family!!!

It has been a while since we've sent a mass email to you because we have been busy creating the space for lives to be transformed, cultural healing to manifest, and new media skills to cultivate! I love this work!

Up next:

THE DIGITAL ELDER PROJECT - 2-day Empowerment Retreat!

"EmPOWER Online and in the African American Community!

Saturday & Sunday, May 21st & 22nd

@Los Angeles Urban League West Adams/Baldwin Hills WorkSource Center

Registration Deadline: Friday, May 13th

Early Bird Deadline: Friday, May 6th

Click here for all details and to register today! http://MessageMediaEd.org

OR email us to request a registration packet and scholarship apps at info@messagemediaed.org!

Thanks to the California Consumer Protection Foundation, SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE for those in financial need. Please please email us for a scholarship application! Early bird registration is live now as well!  Don't delay, REGISTER TODAY!

Also, our strongest marketing tool is word of mouth, so PLEASE SHARE, by posting this blog or our website address http://MessageMediaEd.org on your FB page, blog or website. You can also email us at info@messagemediaed.org to request a registration packet, and share hard copies with co-workers and friends!

Many thanks and we hope to hear from you soon!

In service,

Dr. Shani :)

Our last training...

Greetings Family!

Our strongest marketing tool is word of mouth... please share this important info!

OUR LAST YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING UNTIL THE FALL! 

***Diversity Leaders Spring Retreat is a unique, culturally conscious, media-rich, learning experience, designed to realize the vision, brilliance and leadership capacity within African American youth :)

REGISTER YOUR YOUTH TODAY! http://dlsr41811.eventbrite.com/

Message Media Ed presents...

DIVERSITY LEADERS 6-DAY SPRING RETREAT 

@ Village Health Foundation!

MON-SAT, APRIL 18-23, 9am-3pm

Designed for youth/young adults, ages 13-25, this leadership retreat sets the standard for all spring break experiences.

Participants will graduate having enhanced their skill-sets in computer operation (microsoft word & powerpoint), internet research & navigation (including the use of Twitter as a research tool) , media analysis & production, social media/email etiquette, resume writing, public speaking, critical thinking, peer mentoring, journaling, and self-reflection!

All youth produce an online portfolio (blog), a professional representation of their talent, voice and passions, useful for college and job applications!

Field trips, local & international guest speakers are included as well!

Registration is now open, participation is limited to 20, and first come first serve.

***REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH! Act now!

REGISTER OR SPONSOR A YOUTH TODAY! http://dlsr41811.eventbrite.com/

*** If you prefer to register via mail, email me for a registration packet, shani@messagemediaed.org

Please share this critical information and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

In service,

Shani

Shani Byard-Ngunjiri, M.S.
Founder/Executive Director, Message Media Ed

Doctoral Candidate, School of Education

Loyola Marymount University

------

Message Media Ed - Innovators Uncovered

Producing Black Leadership for the Digital Age

6709 La Tijera Blvd #155

Los Angeles, Ca 90045-2017

323-708-2526 cell

shani@messagemediaed.org

http://MessageMediaEd.org

For all press/media inquiries, contact Joanne @ Jane Hannah Media

"We exist to empower... to nurture, challenge, motivate and inspire. We are here most of all to ignite the beauty and brilliance within African American youth, and to cultivate a skilled, supportive community of growth and transformation." - Shani Byard-Ngunjiri