BLACKS IN TECHNOLOGY @ Message Media Ed!

Message Media Ed's Monthly Lecture Series featured...

Blacks In Technology! An opportunity to bring African American leaders in technology from Fortune 500 companies and from digital and new media marketing industries to youth, adults and seniors from the African American community of South Los Angeles, to explore careers, share lessons learned, evaluate cultural nuances, and to provide an intimate setting for questions and answers...

Community Bridge @MME-DEC 2011: YOUTH BOOK RELEASE! DIGITAL ELDERS SPEAK! BLACK DOLL EXHIBIT! BLACK LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT!

The Community Bridge Initiative is designed to bridge resources from higher ed schools, media institutions and local professionals, organizations and change agents from the community, to address social issues, counter the exclusion of cultural education in schools and reeducate the community to embrace its brilliance. 


The 3 ways we accomplish these goals are via our Monthly Lecture Series, Monthly Family Film Night and ongoing Library Development below... 

Thank You Harvard Westlake!

Thank you Harvard Westlake for donating 70 computers (laptops & desktops) to Message Media Ed's - School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age! 

The contribution of Harvard Westlake School has and will continue to support Message Media Ed's efforts in distributing used computers to the community of South Los Angeles, and to supporters and participants in Message Media Ed's programs and services. Practicing the Kwanzaa principle, Ujamaa, meaning cooperative economics, computers have and will be distributed via membership drives, raffle prizes, contest & program participation incentives, and other on-going fundraisers and program outreach efforts for Message Media Ed.

Pictured below are 5 of the first 15 members to join Message Media Ed and who participated in the our very first membership drive!

Thank you for helping to provide the tools needed to achieve our vision of closing the digital divide and increasing leadership and innovation in the African American community of South Los Angeles! http://MessageMediaEd.org

UJAMAA! Featuring... ESSENCE OF LIGHT!

http://EssenceOfLight.org

Introducing... Afro-Media Literacy Education

Afro-Media Literacy Education (AMLE)

A burgeoning theory and practice designed to mentally liberate, culturally heal and reeducate Black and non-Black youth, adults, seniors, educators and professionals working with Black youth in our media saturated society. Pioneered by Shani Byard, Ed.D., Afro-Media Literacy Education is a contemporary professional development educational framework that humbly blends African-Centered pedagogy with Critical Media, Critical Literacy and Critical Race theories, pedagogies and practices, and intergenerational learning infused with critical thinking, creative expression and digital literacy. AMLE is the foundation for the principles and methodologies engrained in the professional development programs and trainings provided by Message Media Ed – School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age, located in Los Angeles, Ca. Please read about our AMLE framework and services here http://www.messagemediaed.org/#!educational-framework

Community Bridge @MME-NOV 2011: Black Techies, Diaspora Survival & Literacy - Not to miss!

The Community Bridge Initiative is designed to bridge resources from higher ed schools, media institutions and local professionals, organizations and change agents from the community, to address social issues, counter the exclusion of cultural education in schools and reeducate the community to embrace its brilliance. The 3 ways we accomplish this goal are below. 

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Message Media Ed's Monthly Lecture Series presents...

BLACKS IN TECHNOLOGY: A Panel of Superstars!

Meet African American engineers from Google and Sprint,

and digital creatives in media advertising and

video game/software development! ALL AGES WELCOME!

Thursday, November 17, 2011, 6-8:30pm

Light Refreshments Provided - $5 donation (Members Free)

@Message Media Ed (4923 W. Adams Blvd. LA 90016)

Brought to you by November's Community Bridge Sponsor:

Essence of Light (Emergency Shelter & Temporary Housing)

Call 323-708-2526 to RSVP and for more info on the Community Bridge Initiative.

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Message Media Ed's Family Film Night presents...

RABBIT PROOF FENCE!

A heart wrenching and inspiring story of cultural survival. Three young

Aboriginal girls are stolen from their home to “save them from themselves”

and participate in the local effort to breed their race to extinction. This film

shows their escape and journey 1000 miles home.

Friday, November 18, 2011, 7-10pm

Free Popcorn! $5 donation. Screening & discussion for the family

@Message Media Ed (4923 W. Adams Blvd. LA 90016)

Brought to you by November's Community Bridge Sponsor:

Essence of Light (Emergency Shelter & Temporary Housing)

Call 323-708-2526 to RSVP and for more info on the Community Bridge Initiative.

Watch the trailer for RABBIT PROOF FENCE! 

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Support the development of Message Media Ed's 

MULTI-MEDIA LIBRARY!

We are building an African/African American library on site and online. Please support us.

Donate books, music, DVD’s, research articles, audio/video of rare speeches, movements

from across the African Diaspora. Become a Community Bridge Sponsor to support our

capacity to track, log, manage and promote the library. Become a member of Message

Media Ed and check out a book for research, casual reading, etc. Coordinate a

field trip and bring your class or organization to research, screen films and discuss

the Black experience throughout the Diaspora. 

For more info, please call 323-708-2526.

Brought to you by November's Community Bridge Sponsor:

Essence of Light (Emergency Shelter & Temporary Housing)

(Click flyer to download and share!)

DIGITAL ELDERS - FRUSTRATION & PROGRESS W/ COMPUTER USE

Thanks to the California Consumer Protection Foundation, we present to you...


...the new Digital Elder Blog!

The purpose of the blog is to document the transition of Digital Elder Grads into the Digital Age after they complete The Digital Elder Project 2-day Empowerment Retreat! Visit the blog to see what our grads have been up to and how they feel about the computer and social media lol...

 Visit the DIGITAL ELDER BLOG here!

Community Bridge @MME OCT-2011: Jazz Roots, Protest Muses, Literacy - Not to miss!

COMMUNITY BRIDGE INITIATIVE < - ADVANCE COMMUNITY

The Community Bridge Initiative is designed to bridge resources from higher ed schools, media institutions and local professionals, organizations and change agents from the community, to address social issues, counter the exclusion of cultural education in schools and reeducate the community to embrace its brilliance. The 3 ways we accomplish this goal are below.    

Message Media Ed Monthly Lecture Series presents...

Re-Discovering the Roots of Jazz in the Digital Age

A Multi-Media Presentation 

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

Co-Facilitated by:

Prof. Chet Hanley, Cal State Univ. Dominguez Hills

Clint Rosemond, Former Exec. Director, The World Stage

Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6-8:30pm 

@Message Media Ed

Light Refreshments Provided - $5 donation (Members Free) 

Call 323-708-2526 to RSVP and for more info on the Community Bridge Initiative

Brought to you by October's Community Bridge Sponsors:

The Learning Community (TLC)@Loyola Marymount University

Denise Michelle Carr in Memory of Virgil and Dorothy Carr

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Message Media Ed Family Film Night presents…

AMANDLA! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony

A beautiful documentary on the music of the freedom struggle during the Apartheid in South Africa. Featuring the music of Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and more! 

Friday, October 28, 2011, 7-10pm @Message Media Ed

Free Popcorn! $5 donation. Screening & discussion for the family. 

Call 323-708-2526 to RSVP and for more info on the Community Bridge Initiative

Brought to you by October's Community Bridge Sponsors:

The Learning Center (TLC)@Loyola Marymount University

Denise Michelle Carr in Memory of Virgil and Dorothy Carr

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SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF

MESSAGE MEDIA ED’S MULTI-MEDIA LIBRARY!

We are building an African/African American library on site and online.

Please support us. Donate books, music, DVD’s, research articles, audio/video of rare speeches, movements from across the African Diaspora. 

Become a Community Bridge Sponsor to support our capacity to track, log, manage and promote the library. 

Become a member of Message Media Ed and check out a book for research, casual reading, etc. 

Coordinate a field trip and bring your class or organization to research, screen films and discuss

the Black experience throughout the Diaspora. 

For more info, please call 323-708-2526 or email info@messagemediaed.org

(Click flyer above to download)

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MESSAGE MEDIA ED
School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age
Youth | Adults | Seniors
< - ADVANCE™

4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016
323-708-2526 phone/cell
info@messagemediaed.org
http://MessageMediaEd.org/

More on Message Media Ed's Community Bridge Initiative here...

COMMUNITY BRIDGE INITIATIVE < - ADVANCE COMMUNITY

A Message of Thanks & Highlights from the Grand Opening of Message Media Ed!

Thank you so much! Asante Sana!

We appreciate all of you who were able to join us on September 17, 2011, for our celebration, either physically or spiritually!  

We still feel your energy, love and see your excitement for what we have to offer the community and education as a whole. We are answering the call to build better learning environments for African American youth and we are dedicated to cultivating social, cultural and technical capital for the African American community as a whole. 

We look forward to seeing you again at an upcoming training and event!  We also look forward to you using our center to study, research, chat, meet and think!  Special thanks to our board, team, event sponsors, vendors, guest artists, keynote speaker, honorees, friends, and family for making our grand opening a meaningful success!  

"INNOVATION - the gift of African people to humanity, as the originators of mankind, arts, sciences, spirituality, culture - is innate in all African Americans, and if repression is sustained, evolution of humankind will continue to be stunted. ADVANCE" - Dr. Shani

Please make sure to peruse our event calendar and programs at http://MessageMediaEd.org and become a member at http://www.messagemediaed.org/#!membership

Please follow our keynote speaker, Carmen Dixon Rosenzweig on Twitter @AllAboutRace

Please visit the work of our very first Black Leadership in the Digital Age award recipient, Sekou Andrews, athttp://TheSekouEffect.com and http://BlindFaithRecords.com

Lastly, call us at 323-708-2526 to schedule your Message Media Ed orientation!  

We love you all! Much respect and see you soon! 

-> The Goofy Team at Message Media Ed lol

Grand Opening Highlights:

Lady Walquer & Najite Agindotan led our participants in a Ceremonial Blessing of the new building of Message Media Ed!

LA County Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas stopped by to wish us much success! 

Our Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Carmen Dixon Rosenweig, led the charge for the Black community to increase meaningful participation in the digital landscape. "I encourage each of you to use the tools of technology to make your lives and the lives of others around you better," says Carmen. "The news for today, is that wise or not, here in the 21st Century, leaders and the rest of us have access to more information in less time, than in any other time in the history of mankind. Think about that for a moment... So if you know how to work this tool, this tool called technology, you can figure out how to do anything and everything else, and I do mean anything."

The infamous Sekou Andrews received the Black Leadership in the Digital Age Award and performed for all attendees!!! 

Our honorees Mrs. Vivian Atmore received the Digital Elder Social Media Maker Award and Ms. Lisa Berry received the Diversity Leaders Media Literacy Award, presented by Dr. Shani and her mother, fellow Digital Elder Grad, Judith Byard!

A candid shot of Founder/Executive Director of Message Media Ed, Dr. Shani, with Message Media Ed's fiscal sponsor, Executive Director of the Village Health Foundation, Jewel Thais-Williams, and Founding Board Member of Message Media Ed, Brother J of X Clan!

It was a beautiful festival and program! Thank you!!!

Rise Above the Noise (for Educators of European Descent)

RISE ABOVE THE NOISE < - ADVANCE THOUGHT™

Rise Above the Noise (for Educators/Counselors of European Descent)
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 3-7:30pm @Message Media Ed


Lead Facilitator: Dr. Shani

AN OVERVIEW:
Rise Above the Noise is a culturally relevant, staff development training designed to expose participants to the realities of the African American experience in relationship to media influence and education. The purpose of the training is to improve the learning experiences of African American youth.

This is an innovative, research-based, cultural sensitivity training in PEDAGOGY for educators and counselors of European descent working with African American students. It is also a cultural awareness training in attaining MENTAL LIBERATION for families and educators of African descent. All of our curricula are rooted in the Afro-Media Literacy Educational Framework.

OUTCOMES:-Exposure to public/private education through an African American lens
-Learn how media influence and media stereotypes can impact an educator's or counselor's pedagogy (or approach toward teaching/advising African American students)
-Become aware of white privilege and the role white educators can play in either sustaining injustice or advocating for social justice in the classroom and school environments
-Learn why seeing race and ethnicity is an asset to the learning experience for both teacher and student
-Participants will be invited back to participate in a focus group to assess learning and implementation of new knowledge

The best part of our trainings is the fact that they are essentially culture-specific.  This component of the curriculum design relates to creating a safe and supportive space for  people from similar backgrounds to freely express their process of self-discovery or transformation,  as they explore tough issues related to race, racism, the influence of negative media stereotypes  and white privilege in learning environments, without offending someone from another race or  ethnic background. We are meeting a critical and complicated need related to an unpopular,  yet tangible threat to the learning experiences of African American youth.

Investment: $30 donation, Seating is limited. Pre-Registration is required. Pre-reading is assigned once registration is completed. Allow time to complete reading. Refreshments provided. Please contact us for more info at 323-708-2526 or email info@messagemediaed.org. Message Media Ed is located at 4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016. Participants will be invited to a follow-up focus group to assess newly acquired cultural understandings and implementation in relative learning or counseling environments.

All types of educators of European descent are welcome! Credentialed and Non-Credentialed educators, faculty and administrators are encouraged to attend. Student teachers/counselors are encouraged to attend as well. K-12 & Higher Ed.

Become a part of the solution. Help improve the learning experiences for African American youth! 

****ALSO PLEASE SHARE: 

Rise Above the Noise (for Families & Educators of African Descent)
Saturday, January 21, 2012, 9:30am-1:30pm @ Message Media Ed
Lead Facilitator: Dr. Shani http://www.messagemediaed.org/#!rise-above-the-noise

---
Dr. Shani is the Founder/Executive Director of Message Media Ed, a native of Leimert Park, Los Angeles, and is an Artist, Educator and Social Justice Advocate. Rise Above the Noise is implemented as part of the teacher training and professional development service component of Message Media Ed (http://MessageMediaEd.org/).

Healing From Domestic Violence - An Author's Spotlight

Message Media Ed Monthly Lecture Series presents...

**AUTHOR'S SPOTLIGHT**

Shaunelle Curry's, "Shairi's Journey: Through Darkness Into Light", featuring Kelley Nicole!
A multi-media exploration of healing from domestic violence.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 6-8:30PM
@ MESSAGE MEDIA ED
4923 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90016
Investment: Free (members), $5 (non-members), light refreshments served

Call to RSVP by Wednesday, 9/21/11, 323-708-2526 or info@messagemediaed.org


Become a Member of Message Media Ed!

AUTHOR'S SPOTLIGHT: SHAUNELLE CURRY!
feat. KELLEY NICOLE!

Join author, Shaunelle Curry, and singer/songwriter, Kelley Nicole, as they share select poetic narratives from Shairi’s Journey Through Darkness Into Light and original music from Introducing... The Kelley Nicole EP. Enjoy a question and answer session and purchase copies of Shaunelle’s book and Kelley’s EP** to be autographed after the presentation.

SHATTERED GLASS ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR
Shattered Glass on the Kitchen Floor is a multi-media presentation of hope and transcendence. It tells the story of a woman named *Shairi who disentangles herself from a toxic relationship in order to rediscover, in her words, “the smile of that girl in those pictures they say is me.” The story unfolds as Shairi awakens to her Divine Ancestral Muse whose inspirational words, “sung in my ear like a precious tune—musical, melodious,” send her on a journey of penning poetry and song. This discovery of gifts, birthed from her soul, evokes a personal and spiritual transcendence that helps heal Shairi’s wounds and introduces her to her True Divine Self for the very first time.

Journey with them and you may even hear the faint whispers of your own Creative Muse.

Journey.Discover.
Transcend.


*Shairi is Ki-Swahili and means “a line of poetry” or “a line of song”


**Purchase a book and EP package for $20 at the event only. Books individually priced at $21, EP individually priced at $5.



**This lecture series is a component of the Message Media Ed Community Bridge Initiative, designed to utilize community, media and higher ed resources to engage and empower the African American community of South Los Angeles.  <- ADVANCE COMMUNITY

Message Media Ed - School of Black Leadership in the Digital Age is an education and professional development organization. Our vision is to close the digital divide and increase leadership and innovation in the African American community of South Los Angeles. We do this by providing workshops for youth, adults and seniors, designed to increase cultural awareness while practicing media literacy, and building skills in computer operation, internet navigation, social media knowledge sharing.