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by Amani Channel
#vday
How did you and your loved one meet? Here’s a classic MUR episode from the home soils in East Palto Alto California.
My wife got her hands on some old pics, and shares the story of how we got engaged.
We’re going on 9 years this May. How time flies.
I called myself taking a brief blogging hiatus this week. I have a lot going on, and as much as I love sharing information, I kind of hit the wall.
Today, I received an email that I had to share. As a media producer, I’ve always had a love hate relationship with TV. Believe it or not, my parents took away the”idiot box” from the Channel kids twice growing up. My parents cared not for the images, commercials, and the like, and that was before we had cable!
That being said, I wanted to share an email I received. The letter first generated a bit of online buzz last summer, but it is well worth the read. It’s from a teenager who has a bone to pick with BET’s President and Chief Executive Officer Debra Lee.
Of course it’s the Internet, and I didn’t verify the source, but it will give you, and Lee something to think about.
Dear Debra Lee,
I’m Janita Patrick, a 15-year-old African-American female from Cincinnati . Recently, I watched the 2009 BET Awards and felt the strongest urge to reach out to the program. My family is of the typical middle-class variety; both parents and four brothers. See, I’m a junior in high school (got skipped), so naturally EVERYBODY in my age group watches BET. I’m used to seeing the sagging pants, tattoos, lack of emphasis on reading and respecting women that makes up your videos. People in my class live this out everyday, while teachers tell us that we’re acting just like the people in your shows.
In your shows. That struck me as odd, because I would think that with your show being the primary outlet for black entertainers and musicians, and considering the context of blacks in this country, there’s a social responsibility factor to consider. I would never blame BET alone for the way a great deal of my classmates act and talk and dress. Everybody makes their own choices. However, if anybody is aware the power of television on impressionable minds, it’s the people running the television operations. If you are not aware, then perhaps you shouldn’t be running the operations.
Guess who watches your network the most? Not those who are intelligent enough to discern foolishness from substance, but those who are barely teenagers, impressionable and believing. It’s awfully cruel to plant seeds of ignorance in fertile minds. You know it’s really bad when the co-founder of BET, Sheila Johnson, said that she “really doesn’t watch it” anymore.
I am constantly fighting against the images and messages put forth on your program. What made you think that it’s okay to bring my classmates on stage to dance behind Lil Wayne and Drake to a song talking about boffing “every girl in the world”? Why does reality train wrecks have to thrown in our faces? Are you aware of the achievement gap going in inner-city African-American communities? A report from America ’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit group started by Colin Powell, recently stated that 47 percent of high school students in the nation’s top 50 cities don’t graduate. (Fifty-four percent of males of color in Ingham County graduated from high school, compared to 74 percent of white males). This isn’t because of BET per se, but I don’t see any episodes on your show doing anything to counteract this disturbing trend. In fact, your show is a part of this cycle of media depicting us at our worst.
My older brother told me something about profit being the number one goal for every business. I’m not sure I understand what that means, but I do know that your shows have to be entertaining enough to generate viewers, which is how you make your money. But surely our culture is rich enough to entertain without anything extra to “boost” ratings; why the over-the-top foolery? I listen to classmates talk about Baldwin Hills like it’s the Manhattan Project. It doesn’t take much effort to produce a throng of degenerative reality shows, nor does it take much to eliminate socially conscious shows off the air. MTV isn’t much better, but since when does two wrongs ever make a right? It’s one thing for white television shows to depict us in a particular way, but for black television shows to do it is baffling.
Why do you hate us?
All of the values that my parents seek to instill in me and my brothers seems to be contradicted by a more powerful force from the media, and your show is at the forefront. Your network is the only network that features rap videos and shows exclusively to children of my color. I know that you have no control over the music that the artists put out, but you do have influence as to how you air these videos. I’m sure if a stand was taken to use the talent in your organization to actually crank out thought-provoking entertaining shows and videos, then artists will follow suit. Being that they need you as much as you need them.
There was one awkward segment in the BET Awards when Jamie Foxx singled out three black doctors-turned-authors, but the introduction was so powerless that many of the viewers had no idea who they were. Had they been introduced as Sam pson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins, three brothers who overcame major obstacles to become a success without the use of lyrics that berate women, the sell of substance that destroy communities or through raps about loose gunplay, then maybe my classmates would have come to school talking about more than Beyonce, T-Pain’s BIG ASS CHAIN and Soulja Boy Tell Em’s hopping out the bed.
But they weren’t introduced like that. It seemed like a throwaway obligatory tribute to appease some irritated fans. It missed the mark. Big time. Ask Michelle Obama if she watches BET or encourages Sasha and Malia to do so. Ask President Obama. It’s a reason he is the leader of the free world, and it isn’t because of Buffoonery Exists Today.
You’d be surprised how smart young black children can be with the absence of Blacks Embarrassing Themselves. If your goal is to deter engaged, forward-thinking articulate black minds, then consider your goal fulfilled. It’s hard-pressed to think that your shows are working to promote cultural betterment. However, it’s quite easy to conclude that the destruction of black children through the glorification of immoral behavior and rushed production is by design. Poison is being swallowed by every viewer who adores your network, and the worse thing is, these viewers – my classmates – are not even aware what they’re swallowing.
There is nothing edifying for black women on your show.. I don’t judge people who do throng to your programs though; I mean, if a jet crashes in right in front of me, I’ll watch it too. That’s why I don’t flip by your channel…I don’t even want to be sucked in.
I have aspirations of acquiring a law degree and possibly entering the public sphere, so I can counteract conditions in my community perpetuated by the images on your channel. So I should thank you, because in a weird sense, your shoddy programming is the wind behind my back. And it is my hope that I can accomplish my dreams despite BET’s pictorial messages, because Lord knows it won’t be because of them.
Sincerely,
Janita Patrick
“Friendship Is Essential To The Soul”
I just finished editing a video project for my first client in 2010. I figure the rest of the year will be down hill now. LOL.
So the backstory goes: I’ve attended Kennesaw State’s social media unconference (SoCon) since the first year in 2007. Each year, I voluntarily produced a video for MyUrbanReport. In 2007 and 2008 I produced a video package. In 2009 I produced a live stream. Why do I volunteer my talents?
One of SoCon’s co-founders Leonard Witt is one of my social media mentors. When I first moved to Atlanta and worked at Black Family Channel. I found Len’s name while researching citizen journalism. That started me down the path of blogging, and soon after that video blogging. The rest is history.
Witt was one of my first web video interviewees back in 2006.
This year I was compensated for producing the SoCon video. I wanted to produce something that was professional and captured the excitement of the event.
I smiled when I got this email from Witt earlier today:
I just got to see your SoCon10 video. My reaction: Amani ….IS …Fantastic ….And Creative. We love it. It is really great. Thanks.
Thank you.
Sutton explained his plan to showcase people who are making an impact on the social web. Though he asked me to remain mum about his request, I received a heads up that he would feature me today.
This is a great strategy for several reasons: 1) It’s giving exposure to some of the top people of color in the Webosphere; 2) It allows us to learn about each other, and possibly build relationships; 3) It helps Wayne build his brand as a thought leader, communicator and he’ll increase his reach though links and conversations that are created by this effort.
I met Wayne IRL (Twitter talk for in real life) in 2008 at SoCon08. I was immediately drawn in because his avatar is kind of similar to mine. He also has a passion for video technology, as well as anything else social. I also remember seeing a video that he posted from his car ride to Atlanta.
I of course had to interview him for the SoCon08 video I produced.
Why would he want to feature Amani Channel? If you’re just finding my blog for the first time, I’m a journalist at heart. I’ve worked in broadcast news as a reporter for more than ten years, but I fell in love with social media in 2006. I’ve always been fascinated with video and news ever since I was a kid.
You see, I was raised in a small city called East Palo Alto in the SF bay area that had a gansterous reputation. I was baffled at why the news would only come around when there were gunshots. There must have been good stories to tell right? I could go into the narrative, but produced this video that will show what I mean.
So in the past three years, I’ve worked at two networks that have shut down, news freelance opportunities are slim, and many newsrooms are chopping heads like it’s the French revolution.
It’s a sad state of affairs on one hand, but also a needed smack in the face for news corporations traded quality journalism for the paper chase. The Internet is forcing people to create new business models and that’s opening to doors for new media ventures.
In the meantime, I’ve been able to rebrand myself through the Internets. I’ve produced hundreds of video podcasts, and mobile videos with my iPhone. I now speak, teach, produce professional videos and do some consulting.
I can’t forget to mention that I now work in public broadcasting at PBA as the community manager for LensonAtlanta.
I know that I have a lot of knowledge that can help journalists make the transition into the digital space, but they have to stop chasing fire engines first and slow down to pay attention to what the people really need to know.
Thanks Wayne, and congrats to everyone else who is being featured this month!
by Amani Channel #atlblog
Presentation for Atlanta Bloggers Meetup
My first MyUrbanReport Vlog uploaded Nov. 3, 2006.
Watch Video
What’s a professional video?
Advice from a Professional
Becky Kagen
Liquid Productions
As great as video is, you have to know how to capture the moment!
by Amani Channel #socon10
What started as a vague concept four years ago has developed into an emerging industry in the Southeast according to some. The leading thinkers in the Southeast’s social media scene gathered in Atlanta over the weekend to network, share strategies, and ways technology is changing the way we communicate at Socon10.
This was my fourth SoCon, and the best yet. I’ve been there from day one, and like many of the originals, I had no idea what social media was back in 2007. I had this blog, a few videos on YouTube, and a passion for video production, news, and an interest in learning more about how new media was impacting our lives.
Fast forward to 2010. Twitter and Facebook are household names, just about everyone is a SM expert, but still many are trying to figure how to use SM to maximize its benefit.
Here’s what stood out to me:
Social media is now on the political radar. Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall attended for the second time and presented a proclamation from the city of Atlanta during the opening session. Hall believes that SM is an emerging industry in this region and said that he wants to support the community and businesses.
News broadcasters are getting active in the community. I noticed a couple of local broadcasters including Chris Sweigart who works at 11AliveNews, and CNN anchor Tony Harris attended. In addition, I had the honor to meet a former CNN executive named Mike Klein who attended for the first time. I’m still not sure why more news pros aren’t more engaged, but I’m sure more will follow suit. As a news broadcaster myself, I could go on and on about the value of SM, but perhaps on a later post.
Community building can be challenging unless you’re Coke: Keynote speaker Carol Kruse, the Vice President of Global Interactive Marketing for Coke shared valuable insights into how the company leverages social media. She admitted that Coke is still figuring it out, and said that Coke fans have taken the lead in helping to build Coke’s online presence. She also said that technology is changing so rapidly that it’s easier to use popular free platforms like Facebook to engage the community.
Analytics is essential: Keynote speaker Dan Siroker, the Deputy New Media Director for Obama’s Presidential campaign shared his secrets on how he helped the President raise 300-million dollars. Tests, tests, and more tests…
Meeting IRL (in real life) is better than a tweet: I met more than a few people at SoCon, many of whom I’d already had some back and forth over the Internets. As valuable as sending a tweet, or message on FB is, nothing is like a handshake, a smile and a little conversation.
It’s hard to trend on Twitter: Last year #socon09 trended nationwide on Twitter, this year it trended in Atlanta only. I think that speaks to the growing popularity of Twitter.
SoCon and Video:
I’ve become the unofficial video producer at SoCon (though it looks like I may have some competition from Steve Burns 
. The first two years, I produced MUR episodes about the event. Last year, I live streamed the morning session, and this year I did both (well I’m still working on the video). I also hosted a breakout session on creating mobile media with your cell phone.
Sounds busy right? I had a few challenges with the live stream, and ended up using my MacBook Pro. For some reason UStream only recorded the tail end of Carol Krues’ presentation, but it looks like Siroker’s entire keynote is there.
Producing the Live stream: I set up in the back of the room because the audio feed was there. Initially, I was going to use my Canon camcorder to live stream. There was some kind of video glitch however, and I had to use my laptop instead. My Mac’s iSight camera worked pretty well. The audio was acceptable, but the video was a wide shot with the backs of heads, and the speakers faces weren’t distinguishable. Overall, it turned out better than I expected. About 40 people tuned in.
The video glitch was actually a blessing in disguise because it freed me up to shoot broll during the opening session. I basically “sprayed” the room, gathering wide, medium, and tight shots of the audience and the spreakers. I also interviewed several of the main players with my Canon XL1 later in the day. It will probably take me a few days to edit the final video. Stay tuned.
My Breakout Session: I once again used my blog to present this breakout session. I showed some videos, used SlideShare, demonstrated how to use Qik, Kyte, and UStream to share video with a cell phone. In the spirit of an unconference, I entertained questions and encouraged conversation the whole way through.
Finally, I’d like to thank SoCon organizers including Leonard Witt, Ellen Miller, Carole Arnold and everyone else who helped make this conference a success. Thanks to everyone who took a moment to shake my hand or attend my session. And thank you for taking a moment out of your busy life to stop by my small piece of the digerati.
What did you think?
Links:
Carol Flammer: Social Media The Ultimate Open Source
SoCon10: The Social Media Unconference
SoCon10: Part of the Crowd
SoCon10 Recap
If you’ve made it this far, please take a moment to watch this wrap up video. Leave your comments below.
by Amani Channel #socon10
Kennesaw State University
January 30, 2010
2pm Afternoon Breakout Session
SlideShare
Steve Garfield Scoops CNN using his Nokia N-95 & Qik
Links
Forrester Research and smartphones
Virginia Tech shooting
Hudson River plane crash & rescue
First music video shot on an iPhone 3G
News package shot on an iPhone 3GS
Jeremy Jojola shoots live shot with his iPhone 3GS
UStream live mobile
You’ve heard all about Twitter, but still don’t really get it. I’m begining to wonder how many Twitter users get it. I’ve gotten Twitter spam, see accounts where people just blurt out marketing messages with no two-way engagement, and automated accounts with no signs of human life.
To start off with, Twitter is a micro blog. It’s similar to a blog in that you can update information frequenlty. I like to liken the community to a chat room, however you select the conversations, and users that you receive messages from. The limit to these messages or “tweets” is 140 characters.
Twitter is a valuable tool for news because it allows you to easily monitor what other news organizations are covering 24/7 (as long as they are actively on Twitter), engage in conversations with the community, identify news sources, brand your content and drive traffic.
Twitter can be effective when you “tweet” regularly, have two-way conversations with your followers, re-tweet (quote) tweets from other users who are sharing interesting content, and use hash-tags to aggregate news.
In developing your Twitter strategy try to share information that adds value to the community and can establish you as the source of quality information. Below are some general communications methods:
Engage in two-way conversations: Use @username to send a publicly visible tweet to another user. For example: “@charlesedwards1 What are you working on today?” All of your followers will see that you are asking Charles a question.
Direct Messages: Twitter allows you to send private tweets similar to e-mail. This is called a Direct Message or DM. DMs are limited to 140 characters
Re-tweet: A re-tweet (RT) is the highest compliment on Twitter; it means that someone finds so much value in your tweet that they want to share it with their followers. For example: RT @charlesedwards1 (followed by the original tweet). You should always give RT credit when sharing a tweet that originated from another community member. Tip: Make sure your tweet doesn’t take the entire 140 characters. It makes it harder to people to re-tweet you.
Hashtags: Hashtags are used to aggregate tweets from the community. Twitter users usually assign a hashtag which becomes adopted and used by the greater community. During the Atlanta Mayoral election, users used #atlmayor for Tweets related to the Mayor’s race. During the runoff #atlpolitics was used. By following a hashtag, a user can follow all tweets related to a certain topic. Note: Due to the limits in character length, a hashtag should be no longer than ten characters.
Hashtags seem to work best during big news events. When I was working for HDNews and covered the 2008 Hurricane season, #Ike, and #Gustav were the hashtags used to share information during the storms. I was able to have direct conversations with people on the ground, learn about areas that were being threatened, and share what I was seeing from the field.
Getting started: Once you establish your Twitter account, start by looking for other news organizations that are on Twitter (that is a great way to monitor what other stations are covering. I even got some freelance work from the AP by monitoring Twitter). You follow them by clicking “Follow.” You should also look for elected officials, public figures and other newsmakers.
The beauty with Twitter is that anyone can be a newsmaker, a fan, or “citizen journalist.” Try to follow civic minded individuals. If you like someone’s tweets follow them. They will usually reciprocate and follow you back. You can start building a rapport by sending a tweet thanking the follower for their interest.
News organizations should carefully consider the Twitter policy regarding re-tweeting information from other news sources. A news organization wants to establish its credibility as being the source of breaking news, and important information. Re-tweeting news from other credible sources could undermine these efforts.
If you have any other thoughts, ideas or questions, please leave a comment.
