We are the change
High school students help non-profits
Arts and Minds, Inc. is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to exposing kids and young adults in underserved communities to science, technology, art, music, entrepreneurial, community development and “green” learning and action opportunities.
Recently, Arts and Minds, Inc. launched their new program, “We Are the Change Community Service Campaign,” at Inglewood City Hall. The purpose of the program is to connect students from Inglewood High, Morningside High, Amino Inglewood Charter, St. Mary’s Academy, California Academy for Math and Science and City Honors, with different charities.
The program will run for a 12-week period from March to May of this year. By participating, students will receive community service hours that most high schools require for graduation.
The charities that the students will be working with are: City of Hope, Mini Twelve Step House, My Friend’s Place, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation, Great Beginnings for Black Babies, Downtown Women’s Center, Jenesse Center, Prototypes, Africare, Beyond Shelter, and Arts and Minds, Inc.
Students who are interested in participating in the “We Are the Change Community Service Campaign” should contact Audrey Thompson at (310) 644-0696.
The Harmony Project is an award-winning nonprofit organization that targets at-risk youth in underserved areas of Los Angeles by promoting positive youth development through ongoing, year-round music lessons and ensemble participation.
“Our mission is to promote the healthy growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music and to build healthier communities by investing in the positive development of children through music,” said founder Margaret Martin.
Despite the usual glum surrounding the issue of education, there are educators who are adamant about making productive changes in schools such as at Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School. The Summer Cool Program is just the beginning of something revolutionary at the school with the potential to change the community as well.
The 16th Annual Pan African Film Festival is now at an end for 2008 and gearing up to prepare for 2009’s festival. In a word the PAFF was excellent. It covered the gamut from film to live performances, art and music.
There is hope for the future of Black/African American cinema. Men and women of all ages are adding their voices and vision to an art form that breaks down cultural barriers, educates and entertains. The variety of films attests to the ingenuity, creativity and passion of these filmmakers.
Girls do do science, and the women from the Spelman College robotics team brought their Spelbots to Washington Preparatory High School last Friday to strut their stuff. Above from left, Micaela Hunter, Tyler Davis, Re’Kieya Ward, Ronique Young and Daria Jordan, discuss what it’s like to be the first all-female, all African American team to qualify and compete in international robotics competitions in places like Japan.
The former owner of the Payless Market in South Los Angeles, gleefully described how the Black community’s passion for malt liquor and his “unofficial grassroots advertising campaign” allowed him to significantly increase his store revenue within a few weeks and save his business.
