BOARD FOR THE EDUCATION OF PEOPLE OF AFRICAN ANCESTRY INC
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Mission Statement
The Digital Media Training Program A Movement of Digital Storytellers Our Mission In the vibrant heart of Harlem, where cultural revolutions have shaped American history for generations, the Digital Media Training Program (DMTP) stands as a beacon of innovation and empowerment. We are creating a movement of digital storytellers who will preserve our community's legacy while forging new paths in the digital age. Our mission transcends traditional education – we are building a creative revolution where African American, Latinx, and marginalized voices don't just join the digital conversation. They lead it. Through the power of digital storytelling, we transform lives, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure that the authentic voices of our community shape their own narratives in the digital world. Our Vision We envision a future where: • Every community has the tools to tell its own story • Digital literacy becomes a bridge to economic opportunity • Cultural heritage is preserved through innovative technology • Young storytellers shape the narrative of their communities • Creative expression drives social transformation Our Legacy of Excellence Founded by award-winning journalist and educator Melvin McCray, DMTP operates under the Board for the Education of People of African Ancestry (BEPAA), a Harlem-based non-profit led by Dr. Adelaide Sanford, former Vice-Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents. Our home at the historic Dr. John Henrik Clarke House connects us to a profound legacy of intellectual inquiry and community empowerment. Since 2013, we have: • Trained over 600 digital storytellers • Created award-winning content featured at The White House • Established partnerships with major media networks • Built bridges between generations of creators • Launched countless careers in digital media Our Transformative Programs From our flagship initiative, "Harlem Through My Eyes," to our partnerships with The Fortune Society, we create programs that: • Empower voices traditionally excluded from digital media • Preserve and celebrate cultural heritage • Build pathways to professional opportunity • Foster intergenerational connection • Drive technological innovation The Digital Renaissance As we commemorate the centennial of the Harlem Renaissance, DMTP leads a new cultural awakening. Through cutting-edge technology and community-driven storytelling, we are creating: • Interactive digital archives preserving community histories • Virtual reality experiences of historic locations • Documentary films capturing untold stories • Educational programs inspiring future generations • Multimedia platforms amplifying local voices Our Impact The success of our mission resonates through: • Students screening their work at the White House • Young filmmakers earning national recognition • Community stories reaching global audiences • Digital skills transforming into career opportunities • Cultural heritage preserved for future generations Our Creative Ecosystem DMTP thrives through collaboration with: • Columbia University • The Fortune Society • Silicon Harlem • Major media outlets • Leading cultural institutions • Community organizations Together, we create an ecosystem where creativity, technology, and community converge to drive lasting change. A Living Legacy In the words of Dr. Adelaide Sanford: "Our children need to know these stories. They must understand their heritage, power, and potential to shape the future." DMTP embodies this vision by: • Connecting generations through storytelling • Preserving cultural wisdom through technology • Creating platforms for authentic expression • Building bridges between past and future • Empowering voices of change The Future of Storytelling As we stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation, DMTP represents more than a program – we are a movement. Our work ensures that the next chapter of our community's story is told by those who live it, preserved through technology, and shared with the world. From Harlem's storied streets to the digital frontier, we are creating a future where every voice has the power to shape the narrative, where every story finds its audience, and where digital innovation serves the cause of cultural preservation and community empowerment. "In the digital age, storytelling is power. DMTP ensures that power remains in the hands of the community." • Melvin McCray, Founder Together, we are not just preserving history – we are making it.
About This Cause
The Digital Media Training Program Preserving Harlem's Legacy in the Digital Age A digital revolution is taking place in the heart of Harlem, where the echoes of the Renaissance still resonate through brownstone-lined streets. The Digital Media Training Program (DMTP) stands at the vanguard of this transformation, where storytelling meets social justice, and where marginalized voices find their power through digital innovation. Our Foundation: A Legacy of Excellence Founded by award-winning journalist and educator Melvin McCray, DMTP has established itself as a pioneering force in digital storytelling and community empowerment. Since 2013, we have: • Showcased works at The White House and major networks (MSNBC, WABC-TV, WNET, WBAI) • Earned national recognition, including the Grand Prize at the White House Student Film Festival • Built transformative partnerships with leading institutions • Created pathways to success for hundreds of community members Our Flagship Initiative: Harlem Through My Eyes As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, DMTP launches its most ambitious project to date. "Harlem Through My Eyes" represents a $4.15 million investment in preserving and advancing Harlem's cultural legacy through cutting-edge digital innovation. The Vision Where Duke Ellington once crafted melodies that defined an era, where Zora Neale Hurston collected the stories that would reshape American literature, and where Malcolm X's words sparked a movement – these same streets now pulse with new stories waiting to be told. We will create a living digital testament to America's most culturally significant neighborhood through state-of-the-art technology and community-driven storytelling. Project Components Digital Storytelling Suite ($1.5 million) • Feature-length documentaries chronicling Harlem's evolution • Oral history collection preserving elder wisdom • Digital short series for social media engagement • Interactive historical timeline • Virtual reality experiences of historic locations Cultural Preservation Infrastructure ($1.2 million) • Interactive museum exhibits • Educational podcast series • Comprehensive digital archive • Community story platform • Mobile heritage app with augmented reality • Educational gaming experiences • Curated music anthology • Published historical narrative collection Educational and Community Programs ($950,000) • K-12 curriculum development • Intergenerational storytelling workshops • Digital media training programs • Youth apprenticeships • Public screening series • Heritage preservation workshops Technology and Operations ($500,000) • Equipment and infrastructure • Platform development • Professional training • Program management Our Impact Ecosystem DMTP's work extends beyond cultural preservation to create lasting change through: Digital Equity • Providing essential digital skills training • Creating pathways to tech careers • Bridging the digital divide Social Justice • Transforming narratives around formerly incarcerated individuals • Creating platforms for unheard voices • Building bridges between communities Economic Empowerment • Developing marketable skills • Creating employment opportunities • Generating sustainable revenue streams Our Network of Excellence Our success is amplified through strategic partnerships with: • Columbia University (over $250,000 in grants) • The Fortune Society • Silicon Harlem • Apple Inc. ($50,000 in grants plus 50 refurbished iPhones) • Major media outlets: WBAI, WKCR, WABC, and WNET Additional partners include the Fashion Institute of Technology, The Riverside Church, and numerous community organizations. The Investment Opportunity Your investment in DMTP and "Harlem Through My Eyes" represents a unique opportunity to: • Preserve vital cultural heritage using cutting-edge technology • Create employment opportunities in digital media • Provide educational resources for schools nationwide • Generate sustainable revenue through content licensing and tourism • Establish a replicable model for community-driven digital archives • Position Harlem as a leader in cultural technology innovation Why Now? The centennial of the Harlem Renaissance provides a historic opportunity to: • Bridge past and future through digital innovation • Engage new generations in cultural preservation • Create sustainable models for community storytelling • Establish Harlem's digital presence for the next century • Generate economic opportunities through cultural tourism The Call to Action As we stand at this pivotal moment in Harlem's history, we invite you to join us in ensuring that the next chapter of this community's story is told by those who live it. Your investment will help create a dynamic digital legacy that will inform and inspire generations to come. "In the digital age, storytelling is power. DMTP ensures that power remains in the hands of the community." • Melvin McCray, Founder For more information about partnership opportunities, contact: https://www.harlemeyes.com/contact-us Together, we can preserve our stories, empower our community, and shape our future.