Video
More shooting and editing samples coming: TBA
Africa in the Americas: Tour Group Explores Cuba’s African Roots (Part 1)
Org: NBC/NBCBLK
Full Story: http://nbcnews.to/2g3a8E9
Summary: “There’s so many situations where I had people come to me and be like you’re my brother, you’re my long lost brother,” Taylor explained. He described how hearing that from Cuban men of African descent really affected him. And, how seeing things like a group of Rastafarians gathering near an outdoor market on Obispo Street in Havana as well as women singing in the Yoruba language he grew up hearing in his native Nigeria were unforgettable. — Written by Melissa Noel
‘Step-by-Step’: Cuban Dance Company Develops International Following (Part 2)
Org: NBC/NBCBLK
Full Story: http://nbcnews.to/2ig5rb3
Summary: HAVANA, CUBA- Callejón de Hamel (Hamel Alley) — a vibrant street in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Central Havana devoted to Afro-Cuban culture — is where Elier Lima first fell in love with dance.
“When I went to Callejón de Hamel I saw Afro-Cuban dance and it was so amazing. There were amazing dancers and an amazing show. And for me that was like the step, the important step for getting into the dance world, “ Lima said. — Written by Melissa Noel
Disney Dreamers get Ready to take on the World
Org: Amsterdam News
Full Story: http://bit.ly/2a0IgkJ
Summary: Tears of joy and passion flowed at the close of this year’s Disney Dreamers Academy as both teens and parents embraced each other at the end of the intensive four day program.
The Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine is an educational and mentoring retreat designed to teach talented minority high school students the skills needed to achieve their dreams. The annual retreat is highly selective. Only 100 high school students from thousands of applications are selected. Prospective students are chosen via their essay submissions.
The Mad Hatter of Harlem
Org: Harlem Focus
Full Series: http://bit.ly/2aiFZ56 Summary: Marc Willamson is a ‘Classic Man’ and the swagger in his FlameKeepers Hat Club reflects his style and elegance. This story is part of an ongoing video-blog series all shot on mobile phones. (Producer/Shooter/Editor of vlog series.)
Serious Theatre
Org: Voices of New York
Full Story: http://bit.ly/2a8z4ux
Summary: In March, the 57th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW57) took place at the UN headquarters in New York. Politicians from around the globe and nearly 3000 activists from more than 500 non-governmental organizations discussed the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. After last year’s disappointment without a common conclusion, the countries consented on a resolution at this year’s conference.
Lana Finikin from Jamaica is one of the activists who came to New York for the CSW57. She co-founded the Sistren Theatre Collective in 1977 and acts today as its executive director. The collective uses performances to explore and explain problems concerning poor women in rural and urban communities in Jamaica — issues include violence, domestic work, abortion, safety in public spaces and unemployment. Finikin uses drama as a tool to share experiences and to develop solutions together as a community. Usually Sistren develops the stories for its plays out of people’s narrations. In New York, Finikin presented their approach in a two-hour-long condensed workshop.
