Join the Center for Social Media and the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop fora special screening of The Interrupters, courtesy of Cinema Guild and Kartemquin Films. The Interrupters documentary film tells the powerful story of three individuals who choose to interrupt the cycle of violence they once employed in their own communities.
Following the screening, esteemed members of Free Minds will a special reading of poems relating to the issues in "The Interrupters" to kick off DC-focused dialogue about ways to decrease violence in communities. The vision of the Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop is for every young inmate to receive the necessary tools, inspiration and community support to pursue education and follow a positive new path in life. Members' experiences are a direct reflection of The Interrupters story--Washington, DC's own struggle to face the issue of violence and the hope of transformation.
About the Speakers:
Michael Kemp, Free Minds Reentry Coach
Michael has been a Free Minds member since 2007 when he was first incarcerated as a juvenile at the DC Jail. As a reentry coach he draws on his own experience to motivate recently returned Free Minds members towards a positive life path. Michael also works at the Campaign for Youth Justice, an organization dedicated to ending the practice of trying and sentencing youth in the adult criminal justice system. He shares his life story with political leaders, service providers and students to educate the community on the underlying causes of youth incarceration. Michael is currently producing his own documentary on the challenges of reentry and is an avid poet and musician. He enjoys using his writing and musical skills to prevent more youth from entering the criminal justice system.
Mark Timberlake, Free Minds Reentry Outreach Specialist
For more than eight years, Mark has devoted himself to empowering young people in the District of Columbia. In role as part time Outreach and Reentry Specialist for Free Minds, Mark draws on his own powerful story of successful homecoming to motivate recently returned Free Minds members towards a positive life path. Mark connects Free Minds youth to employment and life skills training, job opportunities, and educational resources while providing an invaluable role as mentor helping them navigate successfully through the challenges of life after incarceration. Mark has also worked as a Family Support Worker and Community Resource Specialist at the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. Mark has been nominated for numerous awards including Outstanding DC Government Employee of the Year, and was named Father of the Year in 2007 by the Alliance of Concerned Men.
Eddie Ellis Jr. , Founder and CEO of One By 1 Inc.
One By 1, Inc., a non-profit organization based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area that works to keep communities safe. One By 1 works with community based programs, grassroots organizations, service providing agencies and national advocacy groups to provide resources and expert trainings on equitable criminal justice reform. One By 1 also improves the lives of young people who are at risk, or already involved in the juvenile justice system by providing mentoring services and skill based projects designed to build self-esteem, confidence, and leadership skills. One By 1 strives to increase peace by speaking about the importance of establishing peace and to appreciate diversity within the community.
About "The Interrupters":
The Interrupters tells the moving and surprising stories of three Violence Interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed. From acclaimed director Steve James and bestselling author Alex Kotlowitz, this film is an unusually intimate journey into the stubborn persistence of violence in our cities. Shot over the course of a year out of Kartemquin Films, The Interrupters captures a period in Chicago when it became a national symbol for the violence in our cities. During that period, the city was besieged by high-profile incidents, most notably the brutal beating of Derrion Albert, a Chicago High School student, whose death was caught on videotape.
At this event, we will be screening some short films, all written, produced, directed, and edited by our Youth Media Organizers. After the screenings, our Youth Media Organizers will answer questions about the program, youth media, and the importance of youth voice in the the organizing process.
Gandhi Brigade helps young people realize their inner and collective power to become champions of the common good. We envision a radically diverse network of youth and adults who are united in their commitment to fight for the empowerment of all people through the Gandhi principles of nonviolence, awareness, and common effort. We offer young people opportunities to use the media arts as a developmental path for personal and community growth. First, we teach them how to create effective media messages. Second, we invite them to investigate power and privilege. Third, we empower them to apply these abilities, in collaboration with community allies, toward practical common good projects. Please visit our website to learn more about our programs and see updates from our students:
Miss Representation (2011, 85 min), Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s stunning documentary explores gender oppression of women by the mainstream media.
As part of the Benevolent Media Festival (November 4-7, 2011), BloomBars presents a screening and discussion of “Miss Representation” – a film which examines how mainstream media contributes to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America and challenges the media’s limiting and often disparaging portrayals of women, which make it difficult for the average girl to see herself as powerful.
After our screening, we’ll be led in our discussion by Erica Schlaikjer and Jeff Riecke of Benevolent Media.
RSVP on Facebook & Invite Your Friends!
*Suggested Donation: $10 to support BloomBars. Free Popcorn and refreshments provided.
BloomScreen Indie Film Night – is a weekly series of independent and foreign films, accompanied by discussions with filmmakers and other experts. Our goal is to provide a unique experience that a local Cineplex cannot – an opportunity for discussion that allows a better understanding of issues affecting our communities and our world.
Volunteers wanted! Have a suggestion for a film? Know a local filmmaker who wants to screen their work? Want to lend a hand? Email jonathan@bloombars.com with your ideas.
Please join us for the screening and discussion of the Together Through Film Project. The program's mission is to teach young people how to use documentary film as a way to explore and respect the world around them. Media professionals lead local youth in learning the skills needed to plan, shoot and edit documentary films.
On Monday night we will watch the student-made film and the behind-the-scenes from the weekend program. Then Aziz Abu Sarah, a peace activist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer, National Geographic filmmakers and high school student participants will discuss what they have learned about promoting peace and understanding.
Being the American University Social Media Club, we’re pretty good at sharing information. This year we want to introduce members of the DC community to 10 of the coolest non-profits in the district that are doing BIG things to give back. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be making 10 short YouTube films about the key players at each organization, the projects they’re working on & what you can do to get involved.
Lucky for you, you’ll get a chance to check out our videos, learn more about the non-profits and the AU Social Media Club during this year’s DCWEEK and Benevolent Media Festival activities. Join us for a showing of our shorts & we promise you’ll have a feel-good time.
