This video was created by students as part of the course UNSEEN AND UNHEARD: Documentary Storytelling in the Other Washington. Produced by Debralyn Andres, Edwin Mah, Julie Maldonado and Andrew Merrill.Surrounded by art his entire life and now a musician, writer, actor, and painter, Jay is dedicated to teaching arts to children with autism and other special conditions.
In collaboration with Anedra Edwards.A choreographer and minister, Pastor Void uses music and dance to spread the gospel and help people express themselves, teaching people -- especially women -- life skills, and confidence. In collaboration with Alisa Morse & Jenny Harper.Kristen turned from her work as a successful book designer, to create a color transformation project, using art to heal anyone in need of help – from young children to community elders. In collaboration with Natalie Hill.Arriving from Guatemala with the dream of bringing his wife and children to the United States, Wilfredo tells his story of loss, struggle, sacrifice …. and stubborn hope, as he joins his fellow workers to raise their meager earnings to livable wages. “Es Este El Sueno Americano? Is This the American Dream?” Filmmakers: Sabrina Naimark, Marissa Deutsch.Story of a DC neighborhood that has seen both good times and bad. Produced by Kayt Jonsson, and Casey Nitsch in conjunction with Unity in the Community.A twenty-five year old woman recounts her ongoing journey to become her ‘best self’ and the strong and loving mother she knows she can be. In collaboration with Lauren KendrickBrought up by strong women yet living in a patriarchal culture, Gene rediscovers for himself the lineage of women that shaped his life. In collaboration with Robin Svendsen.As one of the 500,00 American veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Laura Pratt tells her story of slow but promising recovery through the practice of yoga and meditation. Filmmakers: Jazmin Garcia, Victoria Ivanova, Andrew Watman, Amanda Zimmerman.A single mother raised in the South reflects upon some of her life's many lessons. Discovering the secret to life, she turns inward, healing herself through exercise, nutrition, and spiritual practice. In collaboration with Delana Listman. In collaboration with Delana ListmanThe Anacostia Rollers & Friends is a roller skating group made up of seniors who have been performing for the Anacostia community and beyond for over twenty years to improve community relations while showing their stuff. Produced by Peggy Fleming and Mike Sahl.“Every war has its after-war” writes Pulitzer Prize-winner David Finkel in Thank You For Your Service. And so it is with war medic, Chris Giddinge, who movingly tells of his journey to heal himself and other service members through the practice of yoga nidra. Filmmakers: Samantha Adamson, Geet Jeswani, Keenan Holmes.Moving from one war zone (Nicaragua) to another (14th and Park Road in the 1980’s,) Luis first used his talent as a street artist to reflect the battles for turf around him. Now, he creates messages of love and beauty so that young people are not overwhelmed by their still-harsh surroundings. In collaboration with Efrain Ramirez.Martha's Table, a DC community center that runs youth and food programs, explores new ways to help the needy.
Produced by Emily Booth and Alex Morrison.This short film highlights the work of Carecen (the Central American Resource Center) to empower Latino families through tenant organizing, education and advocacy, and access to affordable housing and home ownership. Produced by You-yeon Lee, Norma Rejas and Kathryn Schoenberger.Then a student at Howard University in 1967, Dera Tompkins describes the takeover of Howard University as a life-changing moment when she realized “We could DO something! And we did!” In collaboration with Davis Shoulders & Alexa Johnson.A local non-profit, Community Bridges, runs programs that aim to empower young girls in the area. Produced by Katy Daily, Michelle Nelson, and Stephanie Vann.A student leader at the Howard University recalls the transformative moment when students took over the Administration building, “putting everything on the line… When you come out of that… you’re a changed person.” In collaboration with Joe Tamayo & Alex Lacson.Finding music and dance to be a joyful release -- Kim takes her moves to the kitchen, the park and the laundromat! In collaboration with Leah Jones.Born and raised in Washington, DC, Cecilia’s father, a Master Sargent in the Buffalo Soldier’s Regiment, instilled in her the importance of education, the need for social justice and the right to protest when times demanded it. In collaboration with Holly Wiencek & Kyriakos Iliadis.A Wider Circle tells the story of this organization whose mission is simple: to help children and adults lift themselves out of poverty. It focuses on the volunteers providing furniture, bedding, linen, non-perishable foods and personal items to needy families free of charge, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Produced by Khan & Milenkovic.It was at Morehouse College where Ayize had a watershed moment: He realized he had come from a long line of black folk involved in the struggle for justice. So began his work to build schools like M.O.M.I.E.S. TLC which has reached 10,000 kids over ten years. In collaboration with Mandy Cooper.Questioning everything since she was a child, Jennifer uses photography to shake and wake people to think for themselves. In collaboration with Sara Gama.By Emma Boorboor, Danny Peters, and Rasheda Khan.
Historical piece on the east coast's oldest African American boating club: the Seafarers' Yacht Club. Produced by Amy Falkow, Jordan Oeste, and Sarah Otto.A profile piece on one DC non-profit that is fighting the AIDS epidemic among transgender citizens.
Produced by Elijah Edelman, and Allison Girres.The Alexandria Seaport Foundation offers paid work-based apprentice programs in boatbuilding to help disadvantaged youths develop the discipline, self confidence, workshop and social skills necessary to compete their GED and find a job. Produced by Ryan Baker, Lois Lipman, and Mira-Sophie Potten. From the March on Washington to the riots following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Rosalind Styles recalls her transformation into a lifelong activist dedicated to progressive change in her neighborhood. In collaboration with Tabria Lee-Noonan.By Kelly Mertens, Rob Peavy, Rebekah Moore, William Theaker. From the Digital Storytelling class."[The film] tells the story about our organization that we can share with future students, potential volunteers, funders and board members." Organization: Brainfood. Filmmakers: Sarah Farhat, Connor Krone, Amy Pavlik.Students in the Unseen Unheard course produced a documentary on the historic hospital. Filmmakers: Hilary Crowe, Dustin Harrison-Atlas, Chris Hulick, Brad Allgood, Lauren Goldstein, John Malis and Amanda Yerby.Throughout public school, Tendani escaped the world of guns, drugs and girls by absorbing himself in building things. Today as a multi-media artist, musician and teacher, he uses all that he has to build his community. In collaboration with Jacqui Langer and Matt Sutton.Growing up listening to Go Go music, John teaches and practices his own “Beat Your Feet” dance moves to young people.
Fusing dance with other types of knowledge to teach life skills – like geometry! In collaboration with Nicole Wisler.A high school student with stellar grades, Alexis gives up his dreams of becoming an architect to help support his family by taking on two fast-food jobs. Faced with low pay and no benefits, he joins his coworkers in the fight for a livable wage, and finds his voice in the process. Filmmakers: Curt Devine,Edeny Tran, Tori Vogel.As her father’s strength and memory wanes in his final years, Marialuz recalls her father’s dream for his daughter and how she weaves his wishes with her own personal and professional calling to become a doula. In collaboration with Kathleen McLaughlin and Evan Mileusnic.
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