We are thrilled to announce our honorees for EVC’s 40th Anniversary Benefit!
Each of these four extraordinary individuals, in their own way, embodies what EVC strives for when we work to have an impact and make real, positive change.
ALUMNI TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Jeannette Santiago
Director of Programming, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN)
Jeannette Santiago was born and raised in East Harlem, New York. Her passion for community media began in high school when she was asked to produce a documentary about teenage delinquency. Her path led her to Educational Video Center (EVC), where she honed her skills in field production and documentary filmmaking. Jeanette and her peers made the film Mind Over Destruction on racial bias in the media in 1992. Following her time at EVC, Jeannette seized an opportunity at ELA Studios, a hub for public access show production. In 1994, Jeannette's journey came full circle as she joined Manhattan's public access channels as a tape librarian, immersing herself in every department and absorbing everything about community media. Through hard work and dedication, she ascended to the role of MNN’s Programming Director, where she worked on the creation of thematic channels, daily shows, and initiated MNN’s presence on social media platforms. Thirty years later MNN is still a place where she continues to thrive and contribute meaningfully to community media’s mission to promote creative expression, independent voices and community engagement.
EDUCATION IMPACT AWARD
Suri Singh
Principal, Pathways to Graduation Bronx
Born and raised in the Bronx, Suri Singh is a proud son of a Dominican mother and Trinidadian father. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School, Mr. Singh graduated from Messiah College located in Central Pennsylvania. After years of working in college admissions and as a youth and young adult pastor, he returned home to begin a career in New York City Public Schools. He is currently in his 10th year as Principal of Pathways to Graduation in the Bronx and enjoys coming to work each and every day. He comes home each day to his wife and daughters who are the loves of his life.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
J.T. Takagi
Executive Director, Third World Newsreel
J.T. Takagi is the Executive Director of Third World Newsreel, an alternative non-profit media center that works in educational distribution, production, exhibition, preservation, and training, emphasizing media by and about people of color, other marginalized communities, and social justice issues. An award-winning filmmaker, Ms.Takagi’s directorial credits include North Korea: Beyond the DMZ, She Rhymes Like A Girl, The #7 Train: An Immigrant Journey, Echando Raices, The Women Outside and Homes Apart: Korea and Bittersweet Survival, the latter two made with Christine Choy. Also a sound recordist, her credits include the 2018 Oscar-nominated Strong Island, Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart, Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and many PBS films. In addition to this, Takagi teaches at the City College of New York and the School of Visual Arts and works with several Asian American community groups.
CREATIVE IMPACT AWARD
Alex Rivera
Filmmaker
Alex Rivera is a filmmaker and 2021 MacArthur Fellow whose work explores themes of globalization, migration, and technology. His first feature film, Sleep Dealer, won multiple awards at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival. Rivera’s second feature, a documentary/scripted hybrid, The Infiltrators, won the NEXT: Audience Award and the Innovator Award at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Rivera’s work has been supported by the Ford Foundation, the Rauschenberg Foundation, the Open Society Institute, Creative Capital, and many others. He studied at Hampshire College, was the Rothschild Lecturer at Harvard University, and is currently an Associate Professor of Filmmaking Practice at ASU’s Sidney Poitier New American Film School, based in Los Angeles.
Comments