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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."

ALUMNI STORIES EVC has impacted over 28,000 youth since 1984. The impact of our work is most powerfully illustrated through the journeys of these young people, represented by the stories of our alumni. Raelene Holmes 2012 EVC Alum Read More Rafael Gell 2013 EVC Alum Read More Christine L. Mendoza 1999 EVC Alum Read More Ines Morales 2005 EVC Alum Read More Kellon Innocent 1999 EVC Alum Read More Shakeima Cooks 2009 EVC Alum Read More MORE STORIES ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Educational Video Center | Your gift supports our mission. Make a donation today. Educational Video Center The 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. EVC’s vision is a just and equitable world created by young people and the power of their stories.

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.“

Christain Moore (he/him) Alumni Advisory Council EVC Films: 18:22 Hear Our Testimony (2022), Gatekeeping The Bills (2023), Black In Orange: New Generation Same Old System (2023). Creating three consecutive documentaries on topics that personally affect him, Christain began his social justice journey as a high school student at EVC. He participated in Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW), helped fundraise and has many ideas for the EVC marketing team. He is currently pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing to advocate for social change through helping others, providing resources, and staying dedicated to changing systems for the better. (él) Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos Creando 3 documentales consecutivos sobre temas que personalmente le afectan, Christian empezó su viaje de activismo como un estudiante de secundaria en EVC. Participó en el programa Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW), ayudó a recaudar fondos y tiene muchas ideas para el marketing del equipo de EVC. Actualmente, está obteniendo su título en enfermería, de esa manera defendiendo el cambio social mientras ayuda a otros, dando recursos, y mostrando su dedicación para cambiar y mejorar el sistema en el que vivimos.

Ines Morales (she/her) Program Manager, Youth Media Arts Ines Morales is an EVC alum, she joined EVC while in high school. She had the opportunity to experience EVC as a student, a media instructor, board member and now a program manager for the Youth Documentary Workshop and New Media Arts program at EVC. What sparked her interest in EVC was her interest in social justice issues that affected black and brown people in her community. Her experience at EVC encouraged her to pursue a degree in filmmaking from City College of New York where she earned her BFA. Later she decided to combine her passion for social justice and filmmaking by pursuing a degree in social work concentrating on community organizing and development; she obtained her MSW from Hunter College. Prior to her current position at EVC she worked as a clinical director at a supportive housing facility for adults who were experiencing homelessness, substance use conditions, mental health conditions, and other medical conditions. (ella) Administradora de Artes Juveniles Mediáticas Inés Morales es egresada de EVC. Se unió a EVC mientras estaba en la escuela preparatoria. Tuvo la oportunidad de conocer a EVC como estudiante, instructora de medios, miembro de la junta y ahora gerente de programa para el Taller Documental Juvenil y el programa Nuevas Artes Mediáticas en EVC. Lo que despertó su interés en EVC fue su interés en los problemas de justicia social que afectan a las personas negras e indígenas de su comunidad. Su experiencia en EVC la animó a obtener una licenciatura en cine del Colegio de la Ciudad de Nueva York, donde obtuvo su licenciatura. Más tarde, decidió combinar su pasión por la justicia social y el cine al obtener una licenciatura en trabajo social concentrándose en la organización y el desarrollo de la comunidad; obtuvo su maestría de Hunter College. Antes de su puesto actual en EVC, trabajó como directora clínica en un centro de vivienda de apoyo para adultos que estaban sin hogar, y enfrentando condiciones del uso de sustancias, condiciones de salud mental y otras condiciones médicas.

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.

Alexus Stewart (she/her) Alumni Advisory Council EVC Films: Colors of Health: Understanding Unequal Care in New York City (2018); Ride to Nowhere (2018) While at an alternative school and unsure of her future path, Alexus made two films at EVC including one in which she testified at an MTA hearing to demand accountability. Alexus used these films to help get a full scholarship to Ithaca College, one of the top 25 film schools in the country. Alexus is now in her senior year as a Park Scholar at Ithaca College studying filmmaking, where she is also the president of the Black Student Union. Alexus is currently working as a Programming and Outreach Intern at the American Documentary organization. Alexus continues to build her voice as a filmmaker who centers Black people and other marginalized groups. She is deeply committed to dismantling anti-blackness, ableism, racist structures, and gender norms by telling untold stories of marginalized people. Alexus continues to learn and expand her frameworks inside and outside the classroom to reconceptualize, reimagine, liberate, and challenge worlds and environments where these structures of oppression no longer exist. (ella) Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos Películas de EVC: Colores de la Salud: Comprendiendo la Desigualdad en Atención Médica en la Ciudad de Nueva York (2018); Viaje a Ninguna Parte (2018) Mientras estaba en una escuela alternativa y no estaba segura de su futuro camino, Alexus hizo dos películas en EVC, incluida una en la que testificó en una audiencia de la Autoridad de Transporte Metropolitano (MTA) para exigir responsabilidad. Alexus usó estas películas para poder obtener una beca completa para Ithaca College, una de las 25 mejores escuelas de cine del país. Alexus ahora está en su último año como Park Scholar en Ithaca College estudiando cine, donde también es presidenta de la Unión de Estudiantes Negros. Alexus actualmente trabaja como pasante de Programación y Divulgación en la organización American Documentary. Alexus continúa construyendo su voz como una cineasta quien centra a los negros y otros grupos marginados. Está profundamente comprometida con desmantelar la anti-negritud, el capacitismo, las estructuras racistas y las normas de género a través de contar historias no contadas de personas marginadas. Alexus continúa aprendiendo y expandiendo sus marcos teóricos dentro y fuera del aula para reconceptualizar, reimaginar, liberar y desafiar mundos y entornos donde estas estructuras de opresión ya no existen.

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PROGRAMS EVC’s student-centered programs place students’ own questions, problems, and community experiences at the center of their learning. Students strengthen their skills in documentary arts, critical literacy, civic engagement, and social emotional learning. Young people are transformed by this creative learning process, just as the community is transformed by viewing the media they create. YOUTH DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP A credit-bearing after school film production and leadership program Young people learn to collaboratively film, edit, and produce award-winning documentary films about social justice issues that are impacting their lives, communities, and society as a whole. Students earn credits towards graduation and get access to paid internship and mentorship opportunities. MORE INFO NEW MEDIA ARTS APPRENTICESHIP A credit-bearing after school multimedia production and work-based learning program Students learn to collaboratively design websites, shoot photographs, and ‘remix’ documentaries from EVC’s archive of youth-produced social justice films. Youth earn credits towards graduation and receive paid summer jobs and mentorship opportunities. MORE INFO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS A credit-bearing in-school youth instruction and teacher-training program Both students and teachers learn how to collaboratively film, edit, and produce documentary films about social justice issues that are impacting their lives, communities, and society as a whole. Through training institutes and in-class coaching, teachers learn teaching strategies and practical skills to integrate student-led media production into their classes. MORE INFO YUDA Credible Educators CREDIBLE EDUCATORS We recruit, train, mentor and connect BIPOC, queer, working-class, and immigrant educators to teaching artist jobs , fostering a diverse teaching community for students to learn from teachers with shared experiences. MORE INFO YOUTH UP DOCUMENTARY ARCHIVE The world’s first digital archive of its kind, featuring youth-produced social justice documentary films, housing over 41 years' worth of EVC films . YUDA is intended to be available for a wide range of audiences. MORE INFO WE ARE ALL CONNECTED An urban rural summer exchange and documentary production program Young people from NYC and Appalachia live, work, and learn together to collaboratively produce documentary films and websites about social justice issues impacting their lives and communities to help bridge the urban rural divide. MORE INFO PARTNER WITH EVC CONTACT US EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY In our classrooms, we are all learners and teachers. Our approach combines critical thinking, documentary storytelling, and social justice. Developed in collaboration with generations of young people producing documentaries, our teaching practices invite young people to realize their own power, tell stories, expose injustices, take and inspire action. Our methodology is rooted in: Paolo Friere’s popular education model and critical pedagogy , which intentionally centers young people who are systemically marginalized so that they can interrogate the power structures and systems which oppress them. Participatory Action Research so that the filmmaking is a democratic process -- our students choose the issues that impact their lives, and determine how these stories are told. Culturally Responsive Teaching that seeks to uphold all aspects of our students’ cultures - from belonging to the Beyhive to being Boricua.

< Back Unequal Education Revisted In 1992, EVC’s youth team produced Unequal Education for the 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 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. A film produced by high school students who participated in EVC’s Youth Documentary Workshop, 2014. Project Gallery Previous Next

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