community – Memphis Film Works

The iWin Summit

by Terini· October 05, 2021· in · 0 comments tags: community, creators, innovators, iWin Summit, social entrepreneurs

OUR GOAL The iWin Summit is a Community Gathering of socially conscious innovators, thought leaders, inspirational speakers, and change agents committed to revolutionizing the way we work, live, and play in our neighborhoods and communities. OUR FOCUS We are intentional about bringing together diverse backgrounds who are passionate about giving back, expanding opportunities for others, and willing to share best practices to address critical concerns brewing in our backyard. OUR PLAN This event unites several generations of thought to solve our most pressing human issues. Thereby, creating meaningful pathways to long-term succession planning, capacity building, and legacy fulfillment for all. OUR WORKSHOPS Each of our 12 workshops will be guided by a panel of speakers actively engaged in the activation of each topic listed below. Stay Tuned for our Speaker Lineup. OUR 2018 TOPICS – DESIGNING A COMMUNITY BLUEPRINT FOR GREATER MEMPHIS. Friday, October 5 – CELEBRATING MEMPHIS MUSIC, ARTS, AND FILM CULTURE. Friday, October 5 – EMPOWERING NEXT-GENERATION LEADERSHIP. Saturday, October 6 – MAXIMIZING MANHOOD. Saturday, October 6 – AWAKENING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT. Saturday, October 6 – BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS. Saturday, October 6 – CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE – THE ANATOMY OF A SCREENPLAY . Saturday, October 6 – RAISING […]
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Abidemi Kayode

by Terini· August 30, 2021· in Culture· 0 comments tags: community, culture, education

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458549864192{padding-top: 43px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4060″ img_size=”large”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Abidemi Kayode: Teach How To Be A Person[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] “I’m deeply concerned with knowledge. How you acquire knowledge, how you use knowledge, and how you disseminate knowledge.” While it might seem unsurprising that an educator would be interested in all these aspects of knowledge, it is clear that Abidemi Kayode, a school administrator, concern runs much deeper than many in his vocation. Unlike the bulk of them, Abidemi isn’t so much concerned with knowledge learned from books and used to pass tests – dates, equations, etc. – as he is with knowledge about oneself and how to navigate the world one finds oneself in. This concern springs from Abidemi’s view that “the true definition of education is once you learn what you learn, you’re able to solve your own problems.” Certainly the knowledge of dates, equations, and definitions can help solve problems, but they’re not the panacea that our educational system and society at large seem to treat them as. Giving students, or “scholars” as Abidemi calls them, just this type of knowledge is “like going to Home Depot and grabbing a hammer. But if I don’t know what to do with that hammer, […]
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April Jones

by Terini· August 12, 2021· in Art· 0 comments tags: art, community, culture

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458549864192{padding-top: 43px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4375″ img_size=”large”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]April Jones: Finding My Heritage[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]April Jones, artistically known as Sharie LaShell is an R&B recording artist. Her music combines R&B, Neo Soul, Rock, and Pop to create a smooth, light, but powerful sound. She loves to pay homage to the 90’s New Jack Swing period. She has a song that was released around the time of the pandemic that reflects that period. This song features 19-year-old Memphis rapper, Princess Yasmin and it is upbeat and jamming. She encourages the people to embrace as much positivity as they can, get up and dance, and let go of the stress, especially those things you can’t control! She brews her herbal tea, stocked with a blend that would benefit the throat of any vocalist or lyricist. She adds fenugreek, rose hips, lemon balm, and burdock root; all of which were gathered from Maggie’s Farm. She breaks up the tea by grinding it and then begins to strain it for her first cup. Filled with antioxidants and flavonoids, she sips as she speaks of how it gets her prepared to create music. Her smile was constant and bright, her voice engaging and textured. Her singing voice breaking […]
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Our Lives Speak

by Terini· August 03, 2021· in · 0 comments tags: community, Empowerment, leadership, our lives speak

Our Lives Speak Our Lives Speak is a grassroots social campaign that encourages continuous positive thinking and action. We are on a mission to elevate the mindsets and the trajectory of the Mid South, where people come together and unite under the ideals of empowerment, inspiration, and community engagement. We believe that positive social change begins first with mindset; the belief that anything is possible, that every individual on this earth possesses unique talents that must be manifested through their work and contributions to society. Memphis FilmWork producers interviewed more than 50 Memphis residents two important questions, ‘what word or phrase best describes how their life speaks and how does that word come back to them via the universe. We realize throughout history that words can unite, heal, and transform. One single word has the power to change the energy of one person and propel him or her to do great things. In contrast, we have seen how words have the power to hurt, stifle, and devalue the human experience. At the Life Speak Center, we continuously endeavor to drive positive speech and action throughout. Our programs and events present a positive message for all, educating audiences on how […]
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The MFW History Ambassadors Program (HAP)

by Terini· August 02, 2021· in Development, Documentary, Education· 0 comments tags: community, culture, documentary, History, life

The MFW History Ambassadors Program – HAP is an interactive, educational experience designed to enhance the knowledge of middle and high school students in underserved neighborhoods around the rich history, heritage, and culture of Memphis and Midsouth. Our Offerings HAP offers a six-week internship experience for students to discover and engage important people, places, and events that have shaped Memphis’ 200-year history. HAP participants will learn about the hidden gems of their neighborhoods, discover local history from the historymakers themselves, and connect with their own story along the way. This experience also offers career pathway trainings for school-aged youth interested in film production, media literacy, and broadcast journalism. Students will receive a modest stipend for completing this internship experience. Our Goal The goal of HAP is to foster a sense of civic and community pride through the cross-pollination of community and neighborhood stories. Thereby, connecting youth with historical and character building knowledge that not only enhances their sense of self and appreciation for the contributions their forebears have made throughout the years, but also instilling a greater sense of pride and ownership in the positive outcome of their future story. Our Process Over the course of six weeks, HAP participants […]
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Verge Memphis

by Terini· August 02, 2021· in Documentary· 0 comments tags: community, culture, documentary, History, life

Verge Memphis In the fall of 2016, we chronicled the musical stories of emerging artists, musicians and producers on a quest to reach new heights with the music careers in one of the most well known music cities in the world, Memphis, Tennessee. Some of the artists featured in the 62 minute film included local favorites Nick Black, Faith Evans Ruch, Marco Pavé, Brennan Villines, Kyndle McMahan, Black Rock Revival, and Keia Johnson. We also featured local DJ’s, studio engineers, music producers and legends like Larry Dodson, Jody Stephens, Tonya Dodson, Kevin Houston, Kirk Whalum, DJ Bay and Kurt KC Clayton, to name a few. And along the way, we met other artists, producers, festival organizers, and music enthusiasts who created beautiful backdrops of this amazing story about our city’s love and appreciation for the Memphis sound and indie grind. Be on the lookout for Verge Memphis Reloaded in 2022!
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Memphis Driven

by Memphis Film Works· August 02, 2021· in Films· 0 comments tags: community, culture, films, History, life

Memphis Driven is a Television Talk Series exploring the limitless possibilities of Memphis and the mid-south all over the world. Our first stop was Los Angeles, California back in late 2018 where we met 30 Memphians pursuing their careers in art and entertainment. They each shared their amazing journey to Hollywood, the sacrifices they made to get there and the grit and grind lessons they learned to make it to the top.
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Dr. Patrice Holley

by Terini· July 30, 2021· in Life· 0 comments tags: community, education, life

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458549864192{padding-top: 43px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”4057″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Dr. Patrice Holley: Education is Your Best Debt and Community is Your Best Support[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Dr. Patrice Holley’s roots stem back to generations of fighters and go-getters. The story starts with her grandparents, gets passed down to her parents, and is instilled in her. Her grandparents were both college-educated. They actually met on a college campus, but how they got to that college campus is interesting and moving. Dr. Holley’s grandmother grew up on a farm. She also grew up in a county where she couldn’t continue her education past the 8th grade. Her grandmother knew that she wanted more than to live on a farm for the rest of her life, so she decided to pack her things and moved, by foot, to a place where she could finish her education and go on to college. Dr. Holley’s grandfather, also known as her paw paw, was a graduate of Booker T High school when he decided to take a gap year before transitioning into college. He took that year to take care of his family in St.Louis before his friend, Dr. Holley’s godfather, convinced Dr.Holley’s grandfather to start […]
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Dimitri Stevens

by Terini· July 30, 2021· in Art· 0 comments tags: art, community, culture

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458549864192{padding-top: 43px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”4051″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Dimitri Stevens: Life Through Art and Ice Cream [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Dimitri Stevens is a local artist, who is originally from Oakland, TN. He gets his inspiration from the things that surround him. “To create art in a sense it’s trying to make sense of chaos. That’s why I get inspired by everything I see,” said Stevens. As one might imagine, it’s not hard for Stevens to think outside of the box and he prides himself on his ability to do so. He shows this pride through his creation called “Recluse Gallery.” The name was inspired by the brown recluse spider. Stevens gets inspired by this spider because in a way it mirrors Stevens himself. The Brown Recluse Spider is unique. It has 8 legs but only 6 eyes and it stays hidden. Stevens identifies with the ways of this spider. The way that the spider stays tucked away “off the web” just like Stevens who doesn’t have the biggest social media presence. Stevens says that he himself is a loner and can do his best work and his best learning that way. Stevens is an artist that likes to take risks and chances. He enjoys thinking […]
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Demarcus & Jay White

by Terini· July 30, 2021· in Entrepreneurship· 0 comments tags: art, community, culture, entrepreneur

[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1458549864192{padding-top: 43px !important;padding-left: 10% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”4050″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Demarcus & White: Priceless[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Demarcus and Jay White also known as the “Priceless Twins” is a dance group that plans to take their brand to the next level. They have been using their past to fuel their fire into the future. Demarcus and Jay White have been working toward building a name for themselves for 8 years now. As we interviewed them, they walked us through what their journey has been like. It hasn’t been ideal. Growing up with a mom who suffered from mental illness and an unwelcoming family dynamic, the Priceless Twins have been exposed to toxicity that has held them back from their true goals in life. They were incarcerated, doing free shows and getting exploited, and fighting over women. They were becoming a product of their environment. Once the Price Twins realized how special their dreams are, they’ve taken time to reflect on their damaging past and learn patience for others and acceptance of others. They also learned how to let go of people who no longer served them and they did exactly that. These lessons have allowed them to carry resilience by giving them a “keep pushing forward” mindset. […]
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