COMMUNITY SERVICE
I have been blessed to find some great organizations to work with that have helped me develop and grow. Some people may not think that young people have the power to make a difference, but I know that there are many things we can do. Through organizations like 2-Cent TV, NORDC Teen Council, Chevron Future Leaders, EMBODI, and 100 Black Men I have had many opportunities to work with other young people, come up with ideas, and make plans on how we can make things better.
We have done many different projects in New Orleans. The best thing that I like is looking back at a project and having a feeling that I made a difference.... knowing that I was able to contribute to make a change in someone’s life, family or neighborhood, even if it’s a little thing like making a little boy that looks just like me smile by showing him how to use my camera. Along my journey, I have found 2 things that I know will inspire me all my life. I have learned how to mix my passion for improving my community with my passion for filmmaking. There’s so many ways I can use my camera, I can use it to:
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showcase things that need to be done,
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show how things actually get done, and
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show the improvement or result of the work that gets done.
The camera is a useful tool in other ways too. I use it to make films to highlight social issues that affect teens like myself. I want to get exposure, spark conversation, and inspire change on issues about teens like: drugs, crime, employment, careers, and family issues. We get a lot of exposure through the video projects 2-Cent makes to motivate younger kids to read and be all that they can be and each year we do a fun Christmas video. I also get exposure when I am out rejuvenating one of the neighborhood parks, giving out turkeys at Thanksgiving, having Christmas parties to brighten the holidays for foster kids and our seniors, having a yearly festival for kids that promotes literacy where we give out thousands of books, raising money for the homeless, spending a day at a homeless shelter cleaning up and doing yard work, and constructing a free library on a vacant lot in a neighborhood to encourage kids to read more. I think that is what its all about, having exposure so a little kid, another teenager, or even an adult is inspired to create change too.
I attended Tulane University’s graduation a few weeks ago. President Scott Cowen’s speech was about 3 commitments a person’s life should be dedicated to: Lifelong learning, Making a difference, and Finding your passion. The whole part about making a difference was great, but the thing that he said that I liked the most was, “...what you have learned at Tulane will have true value and meaning only if the gifts you have been given, the knowledge you have gained, the effort you have made attain their highest meaning and purpose in the service of others.” Another point that hit home with me was, “– no one will ever remember you for what you did for yourself, they will only remember you for what you did for others”.
I want to go on to college to further my education so that I will be able to continue to create the change I want to see.
