Harlemlive

HarlemLIVE

HarlemLIVE is a non-profit journalism, technology and leadership program that began in early 1996 at the start of the internet revolution. The program teaches students aged 13 to 21 how to run an online newspaper and TV show. The HarlemLIVE web magazine is award-winning and critically acclaimed. From its inception, the unique activities of the organization began broadening the lives of those involved by teaching multiple skills, while connecting the students with opportunities in their community and the larger world.

For over 10 years, the organization has trained hundreds of teens from throughout New York City as journalists, web designers, photographers, administrators, leaders and public speakers. Students stay with HarlemLIVE for one or more years, building on their skills, increasing their self-confidence and starting their own businesses, becoming the leaders and voices of the future.

HarlemLIVE Mission Statement

To empower a diverse group of youth towards leadership with experience and exposure to media and technology.

Background

HarlemLIVE, a non-profit 501c3 organization, was created in 1996 by a former New York City public school teacher, Richard Calton. He was responding to a need: with dwindling funding for high school newspapers, fewer teenagers in low-income neighborhoods were being exposed to journalism at an age when they might become interested and motivated to consider communications a career goal.

The first students to join HarlemLIVE came from a few junior high schools. Today, there are more than 60 students enrolled in the program, hailing from over 30 schools throughout the five boroughs of New York.

Organization

HarlemLIVE receives in-kind support, funding, grants and equipment from various people and organizations.

Personal assistance is provided by many professional adult volunteers and parents. Adult mentors, including journalism professionals, guide students through the process. A partnership with Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism allows HarlemLIVE students to work one-on-one with Masters Degree journalism candidates as well.

The daily running of the organization is managed by a team of two permanent staff members, with founder Richard Calton acting as Executive Director.

Activities

Teenagers run every aspect of the HarlemLIVE publication and TV show. They are assigned positions such as editor-in-chief, managing editor, photo editor, reporters, layout designers, video editors, administrators and technicians. All of the students attend a networking workshop before going into the field as journalists, photographers and video producers.

HarlemLIVE teens learn by doing: they research their own articles, interview sources, photograph news events, and interact daily with their community. Through an ongoing "dialogue" with Harlem, they encourage accountability in their schools, political districts and neighborhoods. In the process, they develop specific skills including desktop publishing, database management, digital camera technology, electronic messaging, web design and mass communications.

The Summer Youth Media Challenge (SYMC) is one of HarlemLIVES' dynamic programs. Supported by the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), students are split into groups and compete against one another to produce the best quality and quantity of content for the HarlemLIVE website. At the end of the summer, the winners are announced at a special awards ceremony.

The College Mentor Program was launched in September 2007. Adult volunteers are paired with HarlemLIVE seniors to assist them with all phases of their college application process.

In 2007 a new student support program, funded in part by the states' Child and Adult Food Care Program, was launched, called the Healthy Eating Program. Fast food meals are not allowed on the HarlemLIVE premises and the kitchen is stocked with healthy-eating alternatives, with periodic cooking classes arranged.

In October 2006 HarlemLIVE launched the Media Mentors Series in collaboration with the Elie Wiesel Foundation (EWF). EWF arranges for distinguished professionals in print, television and radio journalism to visit HarlemLIVE and discuss their career paths with students.

"HLSpeaks" is HarlemLIVES' online video news magazine. In its first year of monthly broadcasting, "HLSpeaks" did an investigative report of NY porn shops and segments on street break-dancers, teen violence and the resurgence of bowling in Harlem.

Awards and Successes

Over 90 percent or more of the yearly participants go on to further their education and 100% of the graduates are employed. The students are being accepted to the likes of Yale, Oxford, Columbia, Cornell and others. The program continues to be written about and to be featured in broadcasts by media outlets around the globe.

On March 29 2001, the Youth Entrepreneur Day in New York presented HarlemLIVE with an award for having one of the best innovative student produced Internet publications.

On March 24 2001, the United Federation of Teachers awarded Richard Calton, founder and director of HarlemLIVE, the prestigious education award.

Richard Calton received an Honorable Mention at the 2000 Sony Wonder High Tech Leaders Awards. He was recognized for his hard work and commitment to the youth of Harlem and students at HarlemLive.

On June 9 1999, HarlemLIVE was awarded first place in the category of culture and media in the international Global Bangeman Challenge. They were given the award by the King of Sweden in the Nobel Hall in Stockholm.

External links

* [http://www.harlemlive.org]