Statements
Mission
Empowerment Media Program encourages or provides learning opportunities, & career based education for underserved youth through careers in sound for film and audio production.
Background
"EMP" or Empowerment Media Program is a non for profit 501 (c)(3). We provide educational and training opportunities to the North Nashville (37208) and beyond for students interested in additional training for careers in audio production, Sound for film and media content. We also provide support for area HBCU's regarding technological support in these areas.
It's simple, we provide access for students and create career training opportunities through our training program. We are here to change outcomes and create economic sustainability for our students.
We provide an environment that is paramount to learning at the highest level for community students that gives opportunities for success that previously didn't exist for them. We do that by providing "access" to resources to get them ready to compete in the job industry and our goal is to create innovative thinkers and successful business owners.
Impact
Introduction
Emerging Media technologies are at the forefront of the modern world. Students now need a competitive edge in media and technology related industries such as Film technology, audio production and AI in media. We need to eliminate obstacles and allow all students access to the educational technologies that drive the job industry. We aim to provide opportunities to the students who are typically left behind.
Problem Statement
I was an educator in one of the poorest areas of North Nashville (37208) it is one of the most economically riddled and underserved parts of Nashville. As an educator I realized the lack of financial and educational support the students in this area received. That lack of financial support compared to the other school districts and the schools within the district were completely disproportionate to what the other schools were receiving. This lack of equality manifested itself by not having enough teachers and not having the proper technology or quality classrooms that mimicked the modern educational world. The lack of equity in education caused roadblocks in the learning process and it appeared the students were being left behind which has effected their outcomes and setting them up for failure due to economic barriers in the community as well as the ones they already faced themselves. I said to myself how is this equitable.
Call to Action
There is a problem with educational equity in some community areas, our goal is to help level the playing field. Due to systemic and socioeconomic barriers not every student has the opportunity that others have. People in traditionally underserved areas usually have less access to specialized training and educational resources than those with a higher socioeconomic status. Our call to action is to offer specialized training in our community as a non for profit that services people in these communities who otherwise would have no place to turn to for training in these specialized fields of Audio, Film and media production.
Impact Explanation
By offering programs to the underserved community we will provide an outlet for education that simply is not there for all to access. Sometimes "access" is all people need to change outcomes. Community Youth and adults who are wanting additional educational and training opportunities in the fields that we offer will benefit from our programs.They will be able to receive the specialized training and the necessary certifications that will allow them to compete for jobs within this industry. This will change the outcomes and help level the field in the working industry. The success stories that will come from our program will help change the narrative and be able to give back to the community in ways that will allow more of the community to succeed.
Collaborators and Industry Connects.
I have industry and organizational contacts due to 30 years of service in the field that will help facilitate Empowerment Media program. I previously held the position of president of (AES) Nashville Audio Engineering Society) and maintain a seat on the AES executive committee. (AES) Audio Engineering Society is the largest society for audio production specialists in the world and is the only society that is dedicated solely to the high end audio production industry. I also partner/collaborate with Nashville HBCU's as springboard for entrance into these programs.
Empowerment Media Program will change the outcomes of underserved students by providing access to necessary training components. Our staff is comprised of community educators who specialize in providing educational equity to all students. I have built a staff of well rounded professionals to help lead the way for Empowerment Media Program and the students within the program.
Needs
We provide educational services and resources to underserved youth in the community. We provide the needed specialized Industry training and certification programs that allow underserved students to be able to complete and excel in post secondary education and the job market. Because of our efforts we are changing lives by providing "access" that has been denied to the underserved. Our work is needed in the community as no one else offers this to the underserved.
CEO Statement
Empowerment Media Program helps students achieve comfort level and a sense of pride within themselves. Through rigid career readiness education and invaluable learning experiences within the media industry we are here to provide "access" and provide sustainability for the lives of our students
Board Chair Statement
We believe every student should have an opportunity for quality learning not just a select few. We also believe the work we do is impacting lives heavily. This is our why.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Film & Video |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Management & Technical Assistance |
| Tertiary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
Areas Served
We strive to serve the North Nashville 37208 area code. We also serve the remainder of underserved youth in the greater Nashville area.
| TN - Davidson |
