Perspectives on Anacostia: A Visual Narrative. Black Aesthetics Institute Launches Free Photography & Film Production Training Program for DC Youth!
Washington (September 23, 2007) - Black Aesthetics Institute has begun a registration drive for youth, ages 14 – 18, to enroll in their new project, Perspectives on Anacostia – A Visual Perspective, which is free to the public. This is a new venture within their Youth Vanguard Rites of Passage After-School Program (YVRPP) that is partially funded by the Neighborhood Investment Fund.

This project has also received firm support from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and other community stakeholders. As Black Aesthetics Institute emerges into the spotlight in the DC community, Perspectives on Anacostia is sure to be an amazing commentary on the power of media arts training and its capacity for transforming lives.

Beginning October 13, 2007, Black Aesthetics, together with DCTV, the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), the United Black Fund and the Covenant Full Potential Development Center produce Perspectives on Anacostia – A Visual Narrative. Perspectives on Anacostiawilloffer 20 District of Columbia youth participants the opportunity to receive the resources and guidance to use technology as a tool for documenting people and places within the Anacostia neighborhood of Ward 8 through documentary film making and photography. Youth participants will have the opportunity to learn how to use their creativity by expressing themselves through the development of a documentary film on HIV/AIDS awareness among youth.  This is a key factor in the impending success of Perspectives on Anacostia, as the District of Columbia has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS transmission in the nation among African Americans. In the United States, half of all new HIV infections occur in people under the age of 25. “What makes outstanding”, said BAI Chairperson, Melvinia Williams, “is its intergenerational perspective.” “This project will offer students the benefit of our elders’ experience. Our intergenerational component will bring students together with their parents or caregivers, who provide a vital link to the past. By sharing their stories, parents and caregivers will provide an eyewitness account of historic events and a snapshot of what life was like when they were young - giving the youth a reference point and inspiration for film making and picture taking”, said Williams.

In addition to photography training, Perspectives on Anacostia will educate youth participants on how to write, direct and edit for television and film. Founder and President of BAI, Denise Erskine-Meusa, said “This is the most opportune time for this project. HIV/AIDS is decimating our community, both here and abroad – it’s an issue that cannot be ignored. We must call attention to it and I believe that Perspectives on Anacostia will help us do that.” In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis for African Americans. At all stages of HIV/AIDS—from infection with HIV to death with AIDS— Blacks (including African Americans) are disproportionately affected compared with members of other races and ethnicities. Ms. Barbara Chinn, the Director of the Max Robinson Center of Whitman-Walker Clinic in Anacostia, said that because of reporting measures, statistics are unavailable by Wards in the District of Columbia, but “it is estimated that one in every twenty adults in the District of Columbia is HIV positive.

“ To help prepare youth participants for the screen writing and film production component of the project, DCTV will train them. As a result, youth participants will complete the equivalent requirements of DCTV’s Studio and Control Room Technician program and receive certification. Dave Denton, the Director of Media Services at DCTV said, “I am excited about working with Black Aesthetics Institute on getting young people in Anacostia the skills they can use to take advantage of the District of Columbia, one of the media capitals of the world, and all of the jobs that are available. It’s about time that DC kids had those kinds of opportunities for careers in media!” Providing media arts training to youth participants will open them up to a whole new world of job opportunities, said Erskine-Meusa. With certification as a Studio and Control Room Technician, youth participants will feel encouraged to pursue jobs in media,” she continued. In addition to the media arts training, youth will be instructed on seminar topics such as financial wealth building, college preparation, pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS & STD awareness, nutrition, job training, resume writing, social etiquette and African History.  YVRPP will culminate with BAI’s annual ‘High Tea’ and Youth Media Festival on May 17, 2008. The completed documentary film will be available for viewing at both annual events, BAI’s new and interactive website, local health departments, prevention programs, community venues and NMAC’s website. For further information about Black Aesthetics Institute and its programs, please visit www.blackaesthetics.org or call 202-375-1622 for further information.

***************************

ABOUT BAI
Black Aesthetics Institute is a non-profit 501(c) 3 youth development and consulting firm designed to encourage responsible and effective social and behavioral skills, an atmosphere of mutual respect, high expectations, and cultural and artistic appreciation among young men and women (ages 10-25) in the community.  We provide jobs and strive to motivate our youth to achieve their fullest potential through participation in our events, activities, and job training seminars in the District of Columbia and the world in general. BAI and its programs can be found on line at www.blackaesthetics.org.