by A.man.I

A meeting of great journalism minds is coming to Georgia.

I’ll see you there.

from e-mail

WHAT: An informal gathering with some of Georgia’s most enterprising journalists and entrepreneurs. It’s an opportunity to break bread and have an open dialogue with an eclectic group of professionals who are no longer just wringing their hands over the future of journalism. Instead, they’re rolling up their sleeves to preserve what’s most critical about our craft by experimenting with new ways to tell stories to an increasingly sophisticated audience of information consumers.

WHO: Our gracious hosts will be Leonard and Diana Witt. For those who don’t know him yet, Len is the Robert D. Fowler Distinguished Chair in Communication in the Department of Communication at Kennesaw State University.

WHEN: Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7 p.m.

WHY: Journalism is in a period of “creative destruction.” That means people who still care about it and recognize that it will ALWAYS be important have an opportunity to help shape the evolutionary changes that are taking place, especially right here in Georgia. In other words: If not us, then who?

(P.S. IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE RSVP TO Lyle at harr6365[at] bellsouth.net by Wednesday, March 25 so we can get an accurate head count.)
(P.S.S. Yes, the Witt family will be providing food. But feel free to bring “something” to share, if you’d like. Spouses, partners and significant others are optional, and welcome.)

by A.man.I

FRIDAY
This weekend I stepped out to a few events starting with the Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Coalition’s artist showcase. Y.E.E.C. consists of Aaron Reid (son of Pebbles aka Sister Perry, and LA Reid), Jason Johnson, and James Smith.

These are young men trying to build a name for themselves, and make a positive impact on the music industry. The event included a little fashion, and entertainment including an entertaining artist showcase.

Links – TalkingWithTammy, StraightFromTheA

SATURDAY
I also stopped by ATownDay at Turner Field to catch a glimpse of some of the sights and sounds from the day long concert. The annual event raises money for local charities, and was definitely family friendly.

There was also a great event to support local artists. If you haven’t been to STIR before, check the next one. There was great music, art, and comedy.

by A.man.I

by A.man.I

Though Morris Brown College is far from out of the financial woods, the institution cleared a major hurdle when a huge water bill due to the city of Atlanta was recently paid off.

The college still needs major help though. Here’s an e-release forwarded to My Urban Report:

Atlanta, GA (March 20, 2009). Water runs freely at Morris Brown College; the final water bill has been paid. “We still have miles to go . . . we cannot sleep,” said Bishop William DeVeaux, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The Trustees have been meeting around the clock to find the best solutions that work for the financial stability of our college. We are at the threshold of a new Morris Brown, with a global approach to education; and this financial challenge was – and is – our priority before we can move forward and work toward a renewal of our founding mission.”

On Thursday afternoon (March 19, 2009), Morris Brown College paid the final $64,887.32 of its long standing $380,000 indebtedness with the Atlanta Watershed Department that threatened to shut of the water on the 34 acre campus. The college remains financially challenged and must meet its monthly obligations. Financial stability is the one obstacle that stands between Morris Brown and reaccreditation.

Also, on March 19th, Morris Brown celebrated the 128th Founders Day at Big Bethel AME Church. During the Founders Day observance, $41,000 was raised from alumni, board members, and supporters who gathered at Big Bethel, the original site of the founding of Morris Brown. Reverend Daryl Kearney, Pastor of 3rd Street- Bethel AME Church in Richmond, VA was the guest speaker. Reverend Kearney offered to hold a walk-a-thon to raise funds for Morris Brown when he returns to Richmond. The National Alumni Association, under the leadership of George Hopkins, National Alumni President, also held its annual meeting during the Founders Day activities.

The SUNDAY of HOPE, which is being planned on March 29th for Morris Brown College, will take place in the churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Georgia appealing for prayers and contributions. The Reverend Dr. C. T. Vivian, who initiated the “Yes We Care” campaign, continues his efforts to inspire church leaders to participate and to join in making a commitment to the legacy of Morris Brown. “We are taking our story to church leaders requesting that they send out a call to their congregations asking personsl who believe in social responsibility and stewardship to give, in support of students who seek and deserve the nurturing environment at Morris Brown, said Dr. Stanley Pritchett, Acting President of Morris Brown College.

How to contribute to Morris Brown:
Donations will be received at Morris Brown College; in addition, donations may be made to Morris Brown by sending a check, payable to the “Morris Brown Recovery Fund,” to Capitol City Bank, 562 Lee Street, SW; Atlanta, GA 30310, or by visiting any Capitol City Bank Branch located at 2358 Cascade Road, SW Atlanta; 5674 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain; or at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Suite S-4. Donations can also be made on line at www.morrisbrown.edu.

Morris Brown was one of my first production clients when I relocated to Atlanta, and I hope they’re able to succeed.

Morris Brown College Urgent Campaign
Produced/Written/Directed by Amani Channel
Edited by John Wheatley
Narrator Charlie Channel
Director of Photography Ngiao Killingsworth
Videography Amani Channel

by A.man.I

Tuesday night members and associates with the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists gathered at Morehouse College for a book signing, and Q&A session with Dr. Christine King Farris about her latest book “Through it All .” Dr. Farris is the eldest sister of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the only living sibling. Her book gives readers an inside perspective of the King family, and includes the life of her brother A.D. King, who didn’t achieve the same notoriety of Rev. King.

WSB-TV’s Monica Pearson moderated the discussion. She’s a true professional, and Dr. King Farris kept the audience smiling with her memories of what is was like growing up a King. She also shared her painful feelings about how she coped with the loss of her brothers MLK Jr., A.D., and her mother.

I really enjoyed this event. Freelance cameraman Mario Page, and I video taped it for the AABJ, and student reporter Jerry Askin Jr. (Georgia State Univ.) will be producing a news package with our help. Stay tuned.

by A.man.I

Saturday, I spent the afternoon teaching a group of teens in Metro Atlanta the basics of video production, and how to write news stories. This is part of a TV program that the youth will produce for Comcast, and they’ll be doing everything from hosting, to researching, and producing the segments.

Alecia Johnson with KidsVideoConnection is working hard to put everything together. The purpose of Johnson’s non-profit is to teach media literacy, and teach the importance of a positive self image for youth.