RAFAEL GELL Born & Raised: Dominican Republic and Harlem First EVC Project: Gender Power: Street Harassment in NYC (2014) Current Occupation: Studio Operator, CNN Education: AS, Theater Production, Borough of Manhattan Community College; BS, New York University, Media Culture and Communication Films: Gender Power: Street Harassment in NYC (2014) Rafael's Story Born in Manhattan, Rafael moved to the Dominican Republic when he was three to live with his grandmother. He returned to New York City when he was six, landing in the Bronx. Rafael found EVC at a critical time in his life: he had already been in and out of several high schools, and was worried he would never graduate. He woke up one day with the realization that if he didn’t graduate from high school he wouldn’t succeed in life. Attending City-As-School, he was grateful that he could learn about almost anything that he was passionate about by doing internships around the city. He was enthusiastic about film, theater, and communications, so he applied to EVC, and EVC accepted him as an intern in Youth Doc Workshop (YDW). He became a leader of his YDW production team. He went on to co-produce Gender Power: Street Harassment in New York City, which shed light on the causes of street harassment and solutions for creating more equitable gender power. Working on the film helped him not only gain artistic and technical filmmaking skills, but he also learned how to put them to use to make a film with a sociological perspective. As he worked hard editing the film and listening to the interviews, he came to realize how desensitized he had become to the ways young men objectified girls and women. The film premiered at the HBO Theater in Manhattan and won awards at three festivals. Inspired by his time at EVC, Rafael graduated high school in 2013 and was accepted to the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). There he majored in theater and joined the film club, and eventually he was elected vice president of the club. He directed a short film that screened at Tribeca. He graduated from BMCC with an associates degree in Theater Production. The confidence he gained there led him to New York University, where he graduated with honors in spring 2019 with a bachelors of science in Media Arts Studies. After graduation and faced with the daunting task of finding work in the New York City media industry, Rafael again received critical mentoring, networking, and career-skills assistance from EVC. In addition to connecting Rafael to media professionals and his first freelance job opportunities, EVC offered Rafael an internship, enabling him to develop a film reel that both provided him work experience as well as his first work samples for a growing media portfolio. And EVC sponsored an internship for Rafael at Bloomberg News under the mentorship of Technical Director Alex Soto, another EVC alum. Rafael reflected, “EVC helped me get an internship at Bloomberg News, which literally changed my life because it led to a full-time contracted position. If I didn’t have the connection through EVC, I never would have had an ‘in’ to a job that I love and that has launched my career in media.” Rafael stays connected to EVC and periodically returns to participate in EVC screenings as an alumni guest speaker. He has full-time work as a studio operator for CNN, and he is working toward membership in a professional union. Favorite EVC Project: "Gender Power — my group’s documentary on street harassment. Interviewing Ronnie, one of my best friends, was a challenge for me. Because of the way he always bothered girls on the streets, I wanted him to change. That’s why I interviewed him the way I did. To get him to really think about what he was doing, and have the other boys who will watch our video think about it too." Proudest Youth Media Moments: "My proudest moment was when I was standing on the stage at HBO, screening our documentary, Gender Power. I actually felt that I had achieved something great. And I felt that I wanted more. That was a motivation for me to keep going at it and doing what I love. Which is film. And I know I wont stop till I achieve my goals. My dream is to win an Academy Award for best film."

IMPACT How do you measure social change? How do you tell the stories of communities transforming, opportunities unfolding, and individuals speaking out? A single statistic can’t show us the whole picture. That’s why EVC shows our impact in multiple ways. CHECK OUT OUR IMPACT 2020 IMPACT REPORT 2021 IMPACT REPORT 2022 IMPACT REPORT

EVC FUNDERS CITY COUNCIL PARTNERS

EVC’s New Media Arts Apprenticeship (NMAA) is an afterschool workshop that annually gives 180 high school students college and career preparation in digital media arts as they learn to shoot video and photography, remix archival social justice footage and design an interactive website. NEW MEDIA ARTS APPRENTICESHIP Created in 2012, EVC’s award-winning multimedia program New Media Arts Apprenticeship prepares young people for college and careers in new digital media arts. New Media Arts Apprenticeship (NMA) is a credit-bearing afterschool and summer program in which youth in high school create interactive websites exploring a community issue of relevance to them. This two-part program runs two afternoons a week for 15 weeks in the Spring semester, followed by a paid Summer internship for 6 weeks as an NMA apprentice. Youth learn to create interactive websites, update and remix an EVC archival social justice documentary, shoot and edit video and photos. Youth learn Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Wix, and other industry-standard software. The students’ final interactive websites are presented and celebrated at a public premiere and are broadly disseminated. Students who successfully present their portfolios at the end of the semester are eligible for high school credit. Youth gain industry-standard digital imaging and editing skills and NMA opens pathways to college-level media arts programs. Want to learn more? Enroll students from your high school? Simply fill out the form below, or email email Mary Grueser , Deputy Director, Programs. PARTNER WITH EVC CONTACT US NEW MEDIA ARTS APPRENTICESHIP (NMA) AT A GLANCE Young people build interactive websites, remix documentary films and gain industry-standard digital imaging and editing skills 15 weeks, 2 days a week, 5 hours a week (after school) + paid summer internship for 6 weeks Open to all public high schoolers citywide especially Transfer, International, Consortium, and District 79 schools. Part of the ExpandED network, and works with their partner schools for work-based learning. SEMESTER: Spring 2022 NEXT SESSION: March 1 to June 10 (15 weeks) SCHEDULE: Monday & Wednesday 4:00pm - 6:30pm or Tuesday & Thursday from 3:30pm - 6:00pm (5 hours/week) LOCATION: 16 Clarkson Street, 4th Fl, New York, NY APPLICATION: Closed RECENT PROJECTS

Isabella Araya (she/her) Alumni Advisory Council EVC Films: What’s Gender Got To Do With It (2020). Born and raised in New York City, Isabella joined EVC in 2020 as a high school junior at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her collaboration on the film “What’s Gender Got To Do With It?” helped her examine gender identity, notably, how the under- and mis-representation of women in the media reproduces harmful biases. Isabella, who identifies as a queer Latina woman, is turning her new found awareness into action. She is a lead organizer at the YA-YA Network, where she leads campaigns to promote restorative justice in schools. She remains a leader at EVC, participating in community screenings, strategic planning, and as a member of the Alumni Advisory Council. (ella) Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos Película de EVC: ¿Qué tiene que ver el género con eso? (2020). Nacida y criada en la ciudad de Nueva York, Isabella se unió a EVC en 2020 como estudiante de preparatoria al comienzo de la pandemia de COVID-19. Su colaboración en la película, ¿Qué tiene que ver el género con eso? le ayudó a examinar la identidad de género, en particular, cómo la subrepresentación y la tergiversación de las mujeres en los medios reproduce sesgos dañinos. Isabella, que se identifica como una mujer latina queer, está convirtiendo su nueva conciencia en acción. Es una de las principales organizadoras de la red YA-YA, donde dirige campañas para promover la justicia restaurativa en las escuelas. Sigue siendo una líder en EVC, participando en evaluaciones comunitarias, planificación estratégica y como miembro del Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Our young people are the beating heart of Educational Video Center. But who are they really? The majority of young people at EVC are Black and Brown. Most are in high-school. Many are living the realities of deep-rooted systemic injustice. Several are “under-credited” – in that their education outside of school has not translated into academic credits. But many of our young people are also “under-credited” because they have not received credit for their resilience, their hard work, their abilities, and achievements. Evidently, “under-credited” can mean different things. At EVC, we recognize that language is powerful. Problematic. And constantly evolving. So, we are committed to regular conversations with our young people to discuss and (re)define how they want to be described. This is a work in process. Rather than label our young people in categories, we see each young person as an individual, with complex intersecting identities, experiences, and connections to different communities. Each young person has their own story: their own journey to – and beyond – EVC. We seek to hold and honor all of this. And we invite you to join us in doing so. What labels do you embrace? What do you reject and why? Tell us how you would like to be seen, described, known. HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? TELL US

CHRISTINE L. MENDOZA Born & Raised: Brooklyn First EVC Project: Milleniphobia (Doc Workshop, Fall 1999) Current Occupation: Youth Media and Education Consultant Education: BA, Media Studies, Hunter College; MA, Comparative Ethnic College, Queens University Belfast Films: Milleniphobia, 1999 Tough on Crime, Tough on our Kind, 2001 Christine's Story Christine was an enthusiastic and eager teenager growing up in New York City. Without the proper guidance she needed to thrive, she ran away from home and dropped out of high school. Ending up in a group home at the age of 16, Christine received a conditional release to live with her mother with the stipulation she attend City-As-High School. There she pursued her internship-based education, rekindled her love of learning, and found her way to EVC. In 1999, she took an internship at EVC’s Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW) and became hooked on filmmaking. She was never late and never missed a day. She returned the next year for EVC’s then advanced program, YO-TV. By receiving high school credits through EVC, she became the first in her family to graduate from high school. Equally as important, Christine attributes to EVC developing the necessary critical thinking skills and confidence to successfully pursue post-secondary education. In 2005, she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Media Studies from Hunter College. In 2008, she earned her masters from the Comparative Ethnic Conflict program at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Christine’s story illuminates not only the ways in which EVC empowers young people, but also how EVC alumni leverage the leadership skills they gain from EVC to pay forward and empower other young people. Christine found through EVC not only her passion for film production but also her belief in the significance of education for young people. After graduating from EVC youth programs, Christine returned to EVC as an instructor to give back and inspire the young people coming up behind her. As an educator with EVC, Christine taught YDW, as well as international filmmaking workshops with Finnish youth; Protestant and Catholic youth in Belfast, Northern Ireland; and South African youth in Soweto. In the fall of 2010, Christine became EVC’s co-director of Youth Documentary Workshop and educational program manager. Christine transitioned to Film at Lincoln Center in 2015, where she eventually was elevated to direction of education. She was director of development and programs with the Coalition of Immigrant Freedom from 2020-21, before taking her current position as executive director of Urbanworld Film Festival. She is also on board of directors for UNESCO’s International Center for children and Young People. And she continues to be actively involved with EVC, including an inspiring board membership from 2019-21. Favorite EVC Project: “Tough on Crime, Tough on Our Kind” (YO-TV 2000-01) because I was exposed to a part of American society that many people do not have the opportunity to explore and learn about. My views on the juvenile justice system changed dramatically from when I started the project to when I completed it. I began as an unsympathetic person who did not care about societal injustices, and through my research and interviews, my views changed. I became angry at what was going on and realized that incarceration is punishing young people, when the original intention was to rehabilitate them. Also, it was my favorite because of the friendships I created, which I still have today. The experience was also instrumental in shaping how I lead as an educator and, currently, as executive director of Urbanworld, whose mission is to redefine and advance the presence and impact of the multicultural community in cinema and cross-platform media." Proudest Youth Media Moment: “My dad passed away in 2020. And one of my most beautiful memories I have of my father was when he came to my documentary workshop screening. I was 17 and my father was sitting in the audience in the front row. He was never a part of my life and never supported me in anything I did. He always thought I was and would be a failure. BUT he sat through it and watched me present my work and he even asked a question, I had a lump in my throat and answered proudly. That was an emotional moment that I will never forget.“

KELLON INNOCENT Born & Raised: St. Lucia and The Bronx First EVC Project: At One Time of Another: How Teens Grieve (Youth Doc Workshop, Fall 1999) Current Occupation: Professional Camera Assistant for Film & TV Major: BFA Magna Cum Laude in Media & Communication Arts, City College, 2009 Films: Tough on Crime, Tough on our Kind, 2001 At One Time or Another: How Teens Grieve, 1999 Kellon's Story Born in St. Lucia, Kellon moved to the Bronx when he was 9 years old. Prior to discovering EVC, he had been making home videos with friends outside school, but he was mostly acting—he didn’t know the technical side and had never thought about filmmaking as a career. A high school internship brought him to EVC in 1999, and after completing his first semester of EVC’s Youth Doc Workshop, Kellon was hooked. He returned to EVC for its then advanced program, YO-TV. Finding a home, his passion, and his voice at EVC, Kellon went on to become EVC’s part-time equipment manager, as well as an assistant educator for Youth Doc Workshop and YO-TV, while also developing his production skills on short freelance projects through YO-TV’s pre-professional training opportunities. In 2004, he enrolled in the Media and Communications program at City College. During his college education, he continued his work at EVC, inspiring other young people to love learning and make their voices heard. After graduating from City College, Kellon became an active member of Local 600, the International Cinematographers Guild. He works regularly as a cameraman on award-winning films and TV shows, such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Last O.G., and BlacKkKlansman. Favorite EVC Project: "The first one. It was the first time I was consciously being creative. Before I just did what I was told. The teacher, Joan, asked us what we thought about things. That was the first time that my opinion was valued. Normally I wouldn’t say anything but here I was being asked to speak up. I never had that happen before." Proudest Youth Media Moments: "The YO-TV screening of Tough on Crime, Tough on Our Kind made me proud. It was at Lincoln Center and seeing all of those people watching our work was amazing. We had four screenings and each one was packed. I felt like people thought we were experts. We had just finished our documentary but people asked us really deep questions. I see that at EVC screenings even now. I also feel proud of my students at EVC. I remember one student who was classified as having a learning disability but at EVC he seemed always ready to learn more. He was excited by learning and proud about his work there and that made me feel proud."

PUBLICATIONS BY AND ABOUT EVC As a thought leader in education and youth media, publications by and about EVC are read and taught at universities and teachers colleges worldwide. BOOKS & CURRICULA IT'S NOT ABOUT GRIT Out of Stock TEACHING YOUTH MEDIA Out of Stock YOUTH POWERED VIDEO Out of Stock TURN ON THE POWER! Out of Stock YO-TV PRODUCTION HANDBOOK PUBLICATIONS BY EVC ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS DISSERTATION AND GRADUATE PUBLICATIONS PHILANTHROPIC PUBLICATIONS

Educational Video Center using documentary filmmaking to challenge structural inequities and harmful narratives that disadvantage young people of color in education, careers, and life. ABOUT Educational Video Center challenges structural inequities and harmful narratives that disadvantage young people of color in education, careers, and life. We do this by teaching documentary filmmaking to help young people thrive as learners, artists and social justice leaders; building the capacity of teachers and public schools to create youth-centered, culturally responsive classrooms; mobilizing youth-produced media to inspire action; and disrupting systems that harm BIPOC youth, their communities, and the world. MISSION Founded in 1984, Educational Video Center is a non-profit youth media organization dedicated to teaching documentary video as a means to develop the artistic, critical literacy, and career skills of young people, while nurturing their idealism and commitment to social change. VISION A just and equitable world created by young people and the power of their stories. OUR HISTORY VIEW TIMELINE WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO We live in a profoundly unequal and unjust society. Our education system, and the media, are built upon systemic oppression. They perpetuate inequities that many young Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and their communities face. For instance, New York City, despite its vast racial diversity, has the most segregated education system in the country. Our young people, 95% of whom are BIPOC and in public schools, struggle to excel in classrooms that didn’t originate from a place of equity and, despite the efforts of educators, have largely not evolved. At the same time, despite being the global majority, only 2.5 out 10 US film directors are people of color. So our youth rarely see themselves on-screen; when they do, the depictions often perpetuate racialized stereotypes. As a result, their self-perceptions are frequently negative and inaccurate. But we know that our transformative teaching approach can change minds. In our classrooms we are all equally learners, teachers, and collaborators. Here, young people discover the power of critical thinking and storytelling: they can change the narrative. Together, we can create a more equitable playing field and change the world.

UNEQUAL EDUCATION REVISITED In 1992, EVC’s youth team produced Unequal Education for national PBS Series, “Listening to America with Bill Moyers.” Their film revealed the stark contrast in resources and opportunities offered to students in two Bronx middle schools – one in a middle-class area and one in a low-income community – in the same district. More than twenty years later, the crew reunited to produce Unequal Education Revisited, bearing witness to the long-term impact that inequities plaguing our society- in education, justice, and healthcare — have on those struggling to survive. Following its release, EVC screened Unequal Education Revisitedat the Media and Social Change Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University. Video interviews with Maxine Greene, Deborah Meier, Pedro Noguera, and Norm Fruchter were also shown to open discussion with the audience. Please click on the interviewees’ names to view their video interviews. IT'S NOT ABOUT GRIT: TRAUMA, INEQUITY, AND THE POWER OF TRANSFORMATIVE TEACHING It's Not About Grit Special Pricing: Receive a 30% discount on videos with book purchase: $35 for individuals, non profits and K-12 schools, and $87.50 for institutions and libraries. Buy 5 or more videos with book purchase and receive a 50% discount — $25 each video for individuals, community nonprofits and K-12 schools and $62.50 each video for institutions and libraries. Buy a complete set of all 15 documentaries, including one free video, for $350 for Individuals, community nonprofits and K-12 schools and $875 for institutions and libraries. Young Gunz Out of Stock BUY NOW These video clips, curated from award-winning Educational Video Center (EVC) documentaries, correspond to chapters in It’s Not About Grit: Trauma, Inequity, and the Power of Transformative Teaching by Steven Goodman. They ground the book’s analysis of the sociopolitical systems undermining our students’ achievement in students’ own personal stories of struggle, resilience, and agency. DOCUMENTARY: IT'S NOT ABOUT GRIT DOCUMENTARY: IT'S NOT ABOUT GRIT Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing 01:17 Play Video WE HAVE A PETITION Now Playing 02:21 Play Video AS THE SUN COMES UP Now Playing 00:39 Play Video HAD TO MOVE OUT Now Playing 00:16 Play Video THEY’RE PASSING AWAY

MJ Small (he/him) Alumni Advisory Council Films: Black & Blue: The Traumas of Police Violence in New York City (2018), The Ones Who Bought Bushwick (2019). MJ was an EVC youth producer while attending City-As-School high school, and he worked on two award-winning films. MJ is a popular speaker at EVC film screenings and worked as a teaching assistant in EVC’s flagship program Youth Documentary Workshop. The social justice issues MJ cares most about are ones having to do with African Americans and people of color in the United States. (él) Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos Películas: Negro y Azul: Los traumas de la Violencia Policial en la Ciudad de Nueva York (2018); Los que compraron Bushwick (2019) MJ era un productor juvenil de EVC mientras asistía a la escuela secundaria City-As-School, y trabajó en dos películas premiadas. MJ es un orador popular en las proyecciones de películas de EVC y trabajó como asistente de enseñanza en el programa insignia Taller Documental Juvenil de EVC. Los problemas de justicia social que más le importan a MJ son los que tienen que ver con los afroamericanos y las personas de color en los Estados Unidos.