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EVC’s Professional Development Program (PDP) gives PK-12 teachers the proven teaching strategies, practical skills and support they need to plan, facilitate, and evaluate student-produced video projects while meeting the Common Core Standards. Principals and teachers at EVC partner schools are eager to adopt our approa PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Professional Development Programs (PDP) is EVC’s unique credit-bearing in-school youth instruction and teacher-training program, customizable for each classroom. In our Professional Development Programs (PDP), K-12 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 experiential training institutes and in-class coaching, K-12 teachers learn teaching strategies and practical skills to integrate student-led media production into their classes. Educators can meet their professional learning needs, develop their instructional practices, and improve student learning by integrating media arts based projects into their curriculum. Young people find renewed purpose in their learning and develop stronger habits of reading, critical research, and creative expression as they connect the personal and political in their documentaries. Students can produce public service announcements, community inquiry projects, or longer documentaries. Individual teachers or schools can partner with EVC; we customize the length, timing and design of the program to best support each partner's individual needs. Want to learn more? Simply fill out the form below, or email Mary Grueser , Deputy Director of Programs PARTNER WITH EVC CONTACT US PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AT A GLANCE LOCATION: We can offer PDP services at your location. SCHEDULE: Customized to best meet the needs of your students and teachers. CLASS SIZE: Flexible; groups of about 15 are ideal but we can work with multiple groups. FILMS: Youth produce PSA’s, short community inquiry films, or longer documentaries. FAQ’s: Learn more about PDP by downloading our Frequently Asked Questions. RECENT PROJECTS

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."

Yhenni Vogue (she/her) Alumni Advisory Council EVC Films: Family Portrait: Growing up With Divorce and Parental Separation (2017), The Queer Survival Guide (2018), Colors of Health: Understanding Unequal Care in New York City (2018), Can You See Me Now (2018), Something in Our Water (2019). Yhenni (Yhennisa) is a 24 year old Bronx native. She started in EVC with her first YDW (Youth Documentary Workshop) with the cohort of 2017 with their film “Family Portrait”. Yhenni then went on to create 4 more films with the EVC before finally continuing in her path. Since then, she has attended Bronx Community College’s Film Production Training, and is currently the office manager at a holistic medicine practice. She continues to work on photography and videography with her fiancé for fun and as a side gig! (ella) Consejo Asesor de Ex-Alumnos Películas de EVC: Retrato de Familia: Crecer con el Divorcio y la Separación de los Padres (2017), La Guía de Supervivencia Queer (2018), Colores de la Salud: Entendiendo la Desigual en la Atención Médica en la Ciudad de Nueva York (2018), ¿Puedes verme ahora? (2018), Algo en Nuestra Agua (2019). Yhenni (Yhennisa) es una nativa del Bronx de 24 años. Empezó en EVC con su primer YDW (Taller Documental Juvenil) en el grupo de 2017 con su película Retrato de Familia. Yhenni luego pasó a crear 4 películas más con EVC antes de finalmente continuar en su camino. Desde entonces, ha asistido a la capacitación en producción cinematográfica del Colegio Comunitario del Bronx y actualmente es gerente de oficina en una práctica de medicina holística. ¡Ella continúa trabajando en fotografía y videografía con su prometido por diversión y como trabajo secundario!

Docs & Dialogue is a virtual documentary screening and discussion series led by EVC’s young people whose lives and communities are most impacted by systemic inequities. DOCS & DIALOGUE Docs & Dialogue (D&D) is a virtual documentary screening and discussion series led by EVC’s young people whose lives and communities are most impacted by systemic inequities. Through EVC’s nearly 40 year archive of 200+ youth-produced films, these individuals share their stories about the world as they see it –with all its problems and possibilities. Since launching in 2020, D&D has covered a wide range of topics about the identities, communities, and systems shaping the lives of young New Yorkers. Here are some of our favorite highlights from past events: D&D FILMS BY TOPICS Youth Perspectives & Advocacy Alumni Co-Hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker(s): Maude Carroll Special Guests: Asia Alston, Happy Healing Wellness, LLC. & Denzel Deranamie, Filmmaker Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Zuri-Shaddai Salehe Alumni Filmmaker Speaker(s): Ashley Woolcock Special Guest: Stacey Wright-Woolcock, Psychotherapist Alumni Co-hosts: Christine L. Mendoza & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker(s): Shon McGoy, Tidiane Balde Special Guest: Gregory Brender, NYC Policy Expert Alumni Co-Hosts: Steven-Emmanuel Martinez & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker(s): Rhodine Louisaire, Abdul Malik Abbott Special Guests: Victor Davila, The Point & Christine L. Mendoza, former EVC Instructor Public Services Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: MJ Small Special Guest: Darlene McDay, Activist Alumni Co-hosts: Christine L. Mendoza & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Yhenni Rodriquez Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Alexus Stewart Special Guests: Ranae Reynolds, Tri-State Transportation Campaign & Suzan Al Shammari, Transportation Alternatives Alumni Co-hosts: Christine L. Mendoza & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Mikey Rosa Race & Ethnicity Alumni Co-Hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Zuri-Shaddai Salehe Special Guests: Norris Francis Branham, Turtlegang NYC & Terry Jones, Torn Jersey Media Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Special Guest: Cynthia Copeland, Public Historian & Ayanna Saulsberry, Filmmaker Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez, Mariela Martinez & Raelene Holmes Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Mohamed Fofana Gender & Sexuality Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes & Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Special Guest: Lanai Daniels, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York & David Murdoch, Filmmaker and former EVC Instructor Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Special Guest: Donja R. Love, Playwright & Dr. David Malebranche, Gilead Sciences Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes, Steven-Emmanuel Martinez & Maude Carroll Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes, Steven-Emmanuel Martinez & Maude Carroll Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Yhenni Rodriguez, Kaz Doha Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes & Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Alumni Filmmaker Speaker : Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Special Guests : Josué Argüelles, A Call to Men & Rebecca Renard-Wilson, former EVC Instructor Arts & Culture Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes, Steven Martinez Alumni Filmmaker Speaker(s): Maude Carroll, Irene Villasenor and Latoya Aultman Special Guests: Paradise Gray, Chief Curator of The Hip Hop Museum ; Molly Seegers, Kevin Powell, & Deborah Schwartz, Brooklyn Museum Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Zuri-Shaddai Salehe Alumni Filmmaker Speaker: Byron Graziano Special Guests: Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly, Rutgers University; Thrax TheUpmost, Rapper; Pamela Sporn, former EVC Instructor and Filmmaker Alumni Co-hosts: Hailey Del Valle Special Guest(s): Sam Verdugo and Zomely Grullon, DayOne Housing Alumni Co-hosts: Raelene Holmes & Steven-Emmanuel Martinez Special Guest: Sergio Galvez, LSA Family Health Service; J. Michelle Holmes, Activist Alumni Co-hosts: Christine L. Mendoza & Raelene Holmes Special Guests: Andrea Ortega-Williams, former EVC Instructor Alumni Co-hosts: Cirilo Ordonez & Raelene Holmes Special Guest: Imani Henry, Brooklyn Anti-Gentrification Network

Mary Grueser (she/her) Deputy Director, Programs Mary Grueser is the Deputy Director of Programs. Prior to becoming Deputy Director, Mary served as Director of Professional Development Programs and the We are All Connected urban-rural exchange program at EVC. Mary is an educator, facilitator, and media maker centered in the intersecting areas of youth media, critical pedagogy, documentary filmmaking, and media literacy. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Media and Human Rights from The New School. Her professional experience includes serving as a facilitator for the Sustainable Development and Social Justice in Central America program with Augsburg College's Center for Global Education, leading collaborative youth media workshops in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and working as a public high school Spanish teacher in rural Central Appalachia. Mary says, “what I love about working at EVC is deeply collaborating with inspiring youth, educators, and changemakers.” (ella) Subdirectora de Programas Mary Grueser es la subdirectora de programas. Antes de convertirse en subdirectora, Mary trabajó como directora de los Programas de Desarrollo Profesional y el intercambio urbano-rural We are All Connected de EVC. Mary es una educadora, facilitadora y creadora de medios centrada en las áreas de intersección de los medios juveniles, la pedagogía crítica, la realización de documentales y la alfabetización mediática. Tiene una maestría en Asuntos Internacionales con especialización en Medios y Derechos Humanos de The New School. Su experiencia profesional incluye servir como facilitadora del programa de Desarrollo Sostenible y Justicia Social en América Central con el Centro para la Educación Global de Augsburg College, liderar talleres colaborativos de medios para jóvenes en las favelas de Río de Janeiro, Brasil y trabajar como maestra de español en una escuela secundaria pública en la zona rural de los Apalaches Centrales. Mary dice: "Lo que me encanta de trabajar en EVC es colaborar profundamente con jóvenes inspiradores, educadores y agentes de cambio". mgrueser@evc.org

Ambreen Qureshi (she/her) Executive Director Ambreen joined the EVC community as Executive Director in 2018. She has extensive leadership experience in the non-profit and media industry including Magnum Photos and the Associated Press. Ambreen received her M.S. with a concentration in media and culture from the New School and completed her undergraduate studies at the City College of New York. Previously as the Deputy Executive Director of the Arab-American Family Support Center, a trauma informed Settlement House, Ambreen spearheaded the development of innovative youth media programs including “I Need to Be Heard!” a participatory youth filmmaking program and “Stomp the Ban,” a large scale film installation and dance action to protest the travel ban. She also worked for the Jordan Red Crescent Society creating an arts and education program for refugee youth. The social justice issue that Ambreen is most passionate about dismantling is systemic racism and classism. (ella) Directora Ejecutiva Ambreen se unió a la comunidad de EVC como Directora Ejecutiva en 2018. Tiene una amplia experiencia de liderazgo en la industria sin fines de lucro y de medios de comunicación, incluyendo Magnum Photos y la Associated Press. Ambreen recibió su M.S. con una concentración en Medios y Cultura de la New School y completó sus estudios universitarios en el City College de Nueva York. Anteriormente, como Directora Ejecutiva Adjunta del Centro de Apoyo a la Familia Árabe-Estadounidense, Ambreen encabezó el desarrollo de innovadores programas de medios para jóvenes, incluido "¡Necesito que me escuchen!" un programa participativo de cine para jóvenes y “Pisotea la Prohibición”, una instalación cinematográfica a gran escala y acción de baile para protestar por la prohibición de viaje anti-inmigrante. También trabajó para Jordan Red Crescent Society creando un programa de arte y educación para jóvenes refugiados. El problema de justicia social que a Ambreen le apasiona más desmantelar es el racismo sistemático y el clasismo. aqureshi@evc.org

The Youth Documentary Workshop is the Educational Video Center’s award-winning signature program that has been preparing students for active community engagement, successful media careers and college since 1984. YOUTH DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP The Youth Documentary Workshop, Educational Video Center’s flagship program, has been preparing young people for community action, successful media careers, and college since 1984. Our Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW) is a credit-bearing afterschool program in which high schoolers learn and work on all aspects of documentary filmmaking. The result: documentaries that investigate social justice issues from the perspective of those who are most impacted yet seldom heard. And a life-changing experience for many youth. Participants learn storyboarding, interviewing skills, editing, cinematography, and industry standard tools such as Adobe Premiere. They share all decision-making from selecting the topic of the film to how the end credits roll – and everything in between. At the end of each semester, the films premiere at theaters across NYC including at HBO, Film at Lincoln Center, and SVA Theatre. Through our signature portfolio roundtables, the newly-minted filmmakers discuss the films and reflect on their experiences making them. The films are entered in film festivals, screened at the students’ schools, and in many other venues, reaching new audiences, and winning awards. Participants also have the opportunity for paid internships with our media partners including Firelight Media, Union Editorial, and Bloomberg News. Many graduates of the workshop have gone on to work at media companies including Univision, CNN, Bloomberg News, Urbanworld Film Festival, PBS’s POV series, and more. Want to enroll students from your high school? Simply fill out the form below, or email Ines Morales , Programs Manager. PARTNER WITH EVC CONTACT US YOUTH DOCUMENTARY WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE Young people make a documentary film – from start to finish! On a social justice topic important to them. 15 weeks, 4 days a week, 3 hours a day (after school.) Open to all public high schoolers citywide especially Transfer, International, Consortium, and District 79 schools. Paid internships for students in work-based learning programs (such as Learn to Work, Work Learn Grow, and more.) NEXT SESSION: October 15th 2024 to January 16th 2025 (15 weeks) SCHEDULE: Monday to Thursday, 3:30pm - 6:30pm (12 hours/week) LOCATION : 16 Clarkson Street, 4th Fl, New York, NY APPLICATIONS : Accepted now through October 10, 2024 APPLICATION LINK RECENT DOCUMENTARIES

The Youth Documentary Workshop is the Educational Video Center’s award-winning signature program that has been preparing students for active community engagement, successful media careers and college since 1984. WE'RE ALL CONNECTED We Are All Connected (WAC) is EVC’s urban-rural summer exchange and documentary program. We Are All Connected (WAC), brings together young people from New York City and Appalachia to live, work, and learn together to collaboratively produce documentary films and websites about social justice issues that impact their lives and bridge the urban-rural divide. EVC’s Appalachian partnership dates back to the mid 1980’s when EVC first held urban-rural youth video summer camps in Eastern Tennessee. In 2017, EVC revived these summer camps with our original partners. Youth that have completed a previous EVC program are eligible to participate in WAC. Through the program, New York City and Tennessee students have chosen to turn their cameras on systemic issues personally relevant to them, including broadband access, the opioid epidemic, foster care, and most recently water quality. Both communities end off with a video that is a powerful tool to foster dialogue locally and visibility nationally on critical issues. Through We Are All Connected, youth in urban and rural communities find shared values, learn how much they have in common, and how interconnected their communities really are. Want to learn more? Simply fill out the form below, or email Mary Grueser , Deputy Director, Programs. PARTNER WITH EVC CONTACT US RECENT PROJECTS

SHAKEIMA COOKS Born & Raised: Harlem First EVC Project: The War Within: Youth Depression (YO-TV, 2009) Current Occupation: Freelance Producer Education: BA in Public Relations and Advertising – City College, 2011; MFA in Documentary Filmmaking – City College, 2013 Films: The War Within: Youth Depression, 2009 Shakeima's Story Shakeima first became interested in filmmaking after seeing the movie, The Color Purple. She had been in the foster care system and after being adopted by her great aunt, used that experience to create a film. Soon after, she joined YO-TV, EVC’s pre-professional training program. Shakeima and five other young women spent nine months researching and creating a documentary on depression among youth of color. The War Within: Youth Depression explores this hidden crisis through interviews with youth, clinicians, and mental health advocates. After working as a YO-TV Intern, EVC secured an internship for Shakeima at Union Editorial, a prestigious documentary and commercial editing house. Shakeima spent a year after YO-TV interning there with award winning partner/editor and EVC Advisory Board member Sloane Klevin. She credits this experience with waking her up to the business side of video and filmmaking, making her aware of all the parts involved in being a successful media producer. In 2012, Shakeima interned for POV a small documentary division of PBS, and interned at other well-established film companies such as DCTV (Downtown Community Television) founded by Jon Alpert. Shakeima was a 2018 Bronx Documentary Center Film Fellow. Shakeima has worked for BET Networks, as a Production Associate in development, and worked as a media instructor for The Center For Alternative Learning (CASES) where she taught film to court-mandated youth. Shakeima completed her MFA in Documentary Filmmaking at City College. Shakeima’s thesis film Beauty: Only Skin Deep??? explores the ideology of what beauty is considered to be in the African American community, and won the New York Women In Film And Television Award. Shakeima hopes to help other youth tell their stories, “kids just want to express themselves but if they don’t have the resources, they won’t be able to.” Best Skill Learned at EVC: “Definitely interviewing the subjects – EVC taught me how to do good interviews and develop good interviewing skills. It taught me to just listen and be able to deal with how your subject is feeling – understanding how they think and being able to relate and connect their struggle." Most Memorable EVC Moment: “One experience that stood out was when we got a chance to volunteer for the author Terrie Williams in her campaign, “Healing Starts With Us” and I saw other people from my community go up and talk about their experiences. I got to hear people of color talk about depression. Through that I got the chance to meet with a psychiatrist and discuss issues that I have been battling and struggling with since my childhood. This later on helped me to seek counseling at Full Circle Health. And I realized that I am not the only one battling depression — that there were many others.”

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.

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.

< Back Breathing Easy: Environmental Hazards in in Public Housing EVC students focus their attention and cameras on the harmful impact that lead poisoning, mold, and pests and pesticides in low-come housing has on the health and wellbeing on their communities. They investigate how these pollutants affect their fellow student’s Harlem apartment, and show how the information and advocacy provided by WE ACT for Environmental Justice and other health experts give hope to a family in need. A film produced by high school students who participated in EVC’s Youth Documentary Workshop, 2012. Project Gallery Previous Next