CreaTV, A Resource To A Community














If there is such a thing as an "artery of resources in the
community", It would be CreaTV of San Jose. They interact with
so many different people everyday. One day with them,
you could meet someone who could be a major channel into your
future.

People always say, "It's not what you know, its who you know."
And it’s so true. I spent one day, all day shadowing Drena Lewis,
Operation Assistant, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator, freelance
videographer and editor, at CreaTV. I had the opportunity to just
sit down and talk to her and we kept going back to this idea of
under-resourced.

Before she and I started our day together, she was touring local high-schools promoting CreaTV San Jose’s Film Arts Academy. She went to two schools. The first one, an upper class public school, that already had a thriving media arts program. Drena was anxious to see how excited the students would be because she was around the supreme and was excited to vibe on new media ideas they may have. She talked to them about all  the great resources that are housed under CreaTV.



This is control room B that is very special because with robotic cameras it can be ran as a two man show quite easily. 

 















There is also the luxury of the portable video kits that can be rented out for a small fee a day. 







Would you believe that these kids were uninterested? They were throwing away the opportunity to be resources with the skills they have already obtain from this highly-educated high-school. 

With out hesitation Drena moved onto the next school. This was an environment that was well under-served. Although the school has excellent resources for media, some students may only have access at school. She came across a group of students who were excited to become Film Arts Academy "participants, members, volunteers, interns" what ever was possible to be able to work with CreaTV San Jose. Interns—that brings me to my next experience.

I had the opportunity to sit in on some interns pitching their ideas
to Suzanne St-John—Crane, who is the Executive Director of
CreaTV. Suzanne is very excited to get things going. You can look in here eyes and see ideas moving when are you talk to her about a new plan or idea.

Also sitting in on the presentation was another young lady. Gabrielle Antolovich, Executive Director of Voices United. Gabrielle is this really cool chick with blond spiked hair and awesome jeans, who has this way of making people stop and listen when she talks. Then there was Drena and me.

The interns: Zizly Flores and Melissa Hyer were very inspiring.
I like to think that I am educated, sometimes over educated. But
these girls were taking their education and actively using their skills to fuel their ideas. It was amazing to see. I could see the
same passion in their eyes that I have about my projects. I know
that feeling, presenting your baby— your hard work. The biggest
difference between them and me is they are presenting to a
room where resources, contacts, broadcasts, newspapers, all
sit with their ears open to what’s next. 

These are people who all have a connection to someone who knows someone, who knows someone else. I could see the networking happening "Josh, oh yeah—he runs artslive.com." Drena looks my way, "We will see him later." These girls simply saw a problem in the market and created a solution. I don't want to disclose their business, but things are definitely in the works all because these ladies knew how to use their education to enhance their resources. They had the opportunity to take the theory they learned in college and put there skills into action.

Next, Drena and I were on our way to the MALI, Multicultural
Arts Leadership Initiative, graduation. We walked a couple of
blocks. We talked. We talked about life, and a five-year plan. We
Agency just to get me geared up on upcoming events like
Juneteenth, and the MLK Luncheon which will be celebrating 32
years. She also pointed out where the AACC, African-American
Cultural Center will be built. When I was little I was really active
in these programs. At that moment I felt that it was a sign that
it is now my turn to give back to the one's who are looking for
my footsteps to follow. I thought about how things always go full
circle. It was not my turn.

We traveled about eight blocks up to the MALI graduation.
The venue was very coy and comfortable, and the people just
as welcoming. I got to meet Josh Russell, Director of Communications and Emerging Initiatives for 1st Act Silicon Valley who they spoke of earlier. Just so happens he was connected to Drena through MALI. I also got to meet Demone Carter, who runs D-Bug a online magazine. He was also a new graduate of MALI and connected to Drena through CreaTV. It was like this inner circle of inspiring youth and young adults. This woman Melissa Locsin gave a very inspiring speech titled "Stay Hyphy." I had the pleasure of meeting Connie Martinez, Managing Director & CEO of 1st Act Silicon Valley and I met the rambunctious MALI MOM Tamara Alvarado, Director of Multicultural Leadership. She has such a great personality, someone that you want to be around all the time. I really enjoyed myself and felt amongst people who share my destiny.



On our way walking back to CreaTV, we took the opportunity
to reflect. Drena asked me what I thought about the day. The
only thing I could go back to was—" Over educated and under
resourced" It's the new, "Who you know." In one day, I honestly
know five more people who could greatly impact my future. Crazy. 

The rest of the now night was chill. In the lounge, which I love so I had to take a picture, we threw back pizza, Cesar salad, and stories of hard work and opportunities with a few interns and some CreaTV staff. 



Overall, in my "truth after college" blog, I learned education is
nothing without resources. When I woke up this morning I found
twenty dollars in my pocket and I knew it was going to be a
financially resourceful day.