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"One of the things that has to be faced is the process of waiting to change the system, how much we have got to do to find out who we are, where we have come from, and where we are going."
-Ella Baker, Civil Rights Activist
Bringing together students, community members, and professionals for opportunities that last a lifetime.
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Teaching youth long-term strategies for advancing themselves and their communities.
Our Art Exposure Program is hosting a series of free workshops to help you explore careers in the arts.
The Art Exposure series showcases career opportunities in the arts, through a set of free workshops at local artistic venues. Upcoming events include: "Creating a Chalkboard Installation w/ Artfully Aware" and "Audio Production Symposium featuring Dani Kartel, Mannie Fresh, Lucky Lou & Major, Nola, Fam, and Ace'Lo."
Click for more info and sign-up >>>
The Project Excel Youth Advocates Program teamed up with Paul Devro , Creative Director for Mad Decent Records, the record label recently noted for producing "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown and "Girls Run The World" by Beyonce. The youth created music projects in collaboration with the producer.
Explore the social awareness campaigns developed by participants of the 2011 Youth Advocates summer program. The campaigns include Take A Look _ Nola Education (Education Policy), Respect Yourself; Protect Yourself (Sexual Awareness), and Unite! Don't Fight! (Violence Prevetion).
NOVAC (New Orleans Video Access Center) will host a free video production workshop, led by local film company, FosterBear Films, on December 3, 2011, 10am-4pm. The course will offer an overview of artistic expression through film, basic production techniques, as well as roles and tasks of being an expert film-maker. Participants in the workshop will storyboard, shoot, and direct their own short film. If you are an aspiring film director or have just taken interest, this is a great opportunity to see what the world of film can offer you!
Ages 16+ (Adults and young adults welcome)
Sign Up
Artfully Aware, an organization that promotes "sustainable empowerment through the arts," will be sponsoring an all-day project on December 10, 2011 from 10am-4pm , creating a chalkboard expression wall on the exterior of the Entergy Innovation Center. Participants will be guided to think of "wisdoms" or "affirmations" that they use to empower themselves and others. Taking phrases from lyrics, quotes, local expressions, personal experience, and elsewhere; people will share their words of wisdom with the entire community.
All ages. No RSVP Required. Arrive any time; leave any time.
Art Exposure will host an audio production workshop, studio tour, and discussion with industry music producers and artists on December 17, 2011, 10am-4pm, at The Music Shed. The course will cover commercial and artistic audio production techniques, and discuss ways to make a living working in the music industry. The workshop will be led by accomplished local producers and musicians, including Dani Kartel (producer of "Slow Motion" by Juvenile), Mannie Fresh, Lucky Lou & Major, Nola Fam, and Ace'Lo.
Mission
Strategy
Future of Project Excel
History
Approach
What is Project Excel?
Project Excel is a youth tutoring and enrichment program focused on the long-term academic success of youth in under-resourced areas of New Orleans. Through collaborative outreach with local schools, organizations, and community members, the program provides holistic educational support to youth by targeting strategic goals of academic literacy , inspired learning , and leadership development .
A Simple Idea...
In 2008, in the wake of school restructuring post-Hurricane Katrina, a Ninth Ward church organization, Compassion Outreach of America, decided that their community needed to gather volunteers to staff in the nearby elementary and high schools, to provide tutoring, hallway monitoring and cleanup, teacher appreciation, and other services. Starting with the volunteer efforts of five members of their church, they sought to make a difference in their local schools.
Between 2008 and 2010, the program provided on-site tutoring services to Frederick Douglass High School and off-school site services to Charles Drew Elementary School.
The organization wanted to expand their volunteer numbers and efforts. They hired a new Program Director and the program began taking a new scope. While maintaining a grassroots approach, involving the local community, the program set out to gather volunteers from around the country, to make an impact in struggling New Orleans schools.
The program has since added many facets to deliver quality, holistic educational support in the under-resourced communities of New Orleans. In addition to providing services to local schools, Project Excel holds an annual summer camp for junior high and high school students to teach leadership, awareness, academic, and multimedia enrichment skills.
Project Excel's Strategic Goals
1) Provide students with resources and skills to develop Academic Literacy . Our goal is not just to produce students who have acquired educational stability, but who can achieve excellence and self-sufficiency at all levels of learning.
2) Provide students with opportunities for continuous growth through Inspired Learning . Our goal is to help students connect what they learn in the classroom to the real world and support academic growth through experiential learning.
3) Provide students with Leadership Development . Our goal is to help students not only take responsibility for their own futures, but to possess the outstanding social character to impact the lives of others and transform the world -- one community at a time.
Community-Based Partnership
Project Excel believes the power to transform education is right before our eyes. We see a vibrant resource in the skills, strength, and knowledge of the individuals in our community. By connecting students with the resources of the community, we build partnerships that are equally valuable to students and the surrounding community. These partnerships enhance learning opportunities for students and build a common understanding about the issues at stake in our schools.
Tool-C entered Approach
We've seen the proof of what students are capable of when given the proper tools. Project Excel sets its sights on giving students a toolbox of skills, resources, and opportunities, so they may each carve out their unique pathway to success. Through a varied curriculum that provides the tools necessary to succeed in secondary education and the professional world; access to professional multimedia technology equipment, software, and instruction; and targeting ongoing needs for community resources and opportunities, Project Excel empowers youth success .
Needs-Assessment
in the Upper Ninth Ward
Described in the global call to action "The 9th Ward Needs a Bailout" Project Excel continues to assess needs for education and development in the Upper Ninth Ward and ways to expand space, facilities, and programs for the youth of the community. Project Excel currently operates programming from the Entergy Innovation Center, an entrepreneurship and business incubator in the Upper Ninth Ward. In order to sustain and expand resources and programs, Project Excel is fundraising to purchase equipment, technology, and cover operating costs to continue offering the space as a source of youth engagement, employment, and entrepreneurship. The Entergy Innovation Center plans to expand audio, video, graphic design, screenprinting, and web design equipment to provide the tools for multimedia training and youth entrepreneurship.
Every under-resourced neighborhood needs an Innovation Center, a place to entertain dreams and make them a reality.
You can be a part of this global effort to transform education by donating, becoming a member, or purchasing our merchandise.
Click here to go to our donation center.
Meet our staff
Tutoring Program
Inspired Learning
Youth Advocates
The Project Excel Tutoring Program works within and outside of local schools to offer free tutoring services for students of all academic acheivement levels. Project Excel recruits volunteer and staff tutors to work with students in one-on-one and small group sessions. Project Excel ensures quality through requiring a minimum of a semester long-partnership between the tutor and the student, as well as selecting and training tutors to be effective and authentic educators.
Project Excel works to develop Academic Literacy , an understanding of the techniques and habits useful for students to be self-sufficient in navigating the education system. Project Excel works with volunteers to generate an individualized learning plan for each student in order to: efficiently provide remedial academic support, improve academic performance and test scores, teach sustainable academic and research techniques, and prepare students for college and professional settings. The program tracks the progress of each student to ensure completion of short-term performance goals and set a path for long-term academic growth.
Project Excel works with local schools, using an Adopt-A-School model that provides a flexible set of services, customized to meet the needs of each school.
Services Include:
•Tutoring
•Academic Skills Workshops
•College Readiness & Advising
•ACT or SAT Preparation
•Classroom Assistance
•School Environmental Support
•Inspired Learning Workshops
•Leadership & Community Awareness
Make Noise Records
Examining the development of Hip Hop as an art form, culture, and a lifestyle; from Sugar Hill Gang to Lil Wayne, students learn how to critique, analyze, and develop their own hip hop lyrics, using poetic and literary techniques. Students then learn audio production and recording techniques to put these skills into practice, creating their own music that expresses their unique world view.
Skills:
Creative Writing, Public Speaking, Speech Therapy, Grammar, Mathematics
"When there is interest, learning happens."
-Dr. Sugata Mitra
Why does learning sometimes seem such a difficult task for students and educators? Why are students and teachers often frustrated with completing academic course goals in a timely manner?
The answer to this question often lies in disconnect between student interest and the topics and materials presented to them.
Project Excel strives to engage students interests and spark a love of learning, believing that the best results in education come from exposing students to a variety of learning contexts. Through year-round Inspired Learning workshops, Project Excel challenges students to become well-rounded, critical, and creative thinkers .
Project Excel works in collaboration with the local artistic and professional community to create year-round workshops in a variety of cutting edge fields. These workshops serve not only to inspire students to discover new passions, but also teach valuable academic skills that increase student motivation and performance in school .
Video Production
Students work to create their own short films, learning state-of-the-art techniques for designing, filming, and editing video. Students will also learn how to effectively use storyboards, scripts, and character diagrams to convey their narratives.
Creative Writing, Literary Analysis, Organizing Writing, Public Speaking, Mathematics
Art & Design
Students work with resident and local artists and explore various mediums including drawing & painting, graphic design, mural design, and more. Students discuss how to engage the community through art and develop work to be featured through art showings, murals, logos, and album covers.
Creative Thinking, Mathematics, Communications
Swag School
Based on the current cultural reference to style, personal branding, and ettiquette, "Swag," this course teaches students fashion design and analysis, communication, ettiquette, and personal marketing skills. Students learn how to effectively dress and communicate in changing contexts ranging from job interviews to high school reunions.
Communication, Public Speaking, Ettiquette, Interview/Resumé
The Youth Advocates Program begins as a 6-week leadership program for Junior High and High School students, but provides extended opportunities for youth leadership throughout the year. The Youth Advocates Program teaches students to raise questions about issues they see around them and to be informed citizens, community leaders, spokespeople of their generation.
Focusing on a set of youth awareness topics consisting of Cu ltural Heritage & History, Social Justice, Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Leadership & Social Skills , the program consists of research, discussions, activities, service projects, field trips, and professional and academic skills mentoring. Students actively respond to issues in their communities and develop professional, public speaking, community organization, and creative marketing skills, to present their ideas to policy makers, community leaders, and members of the community.
Activities & Workshops:
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We guide students with our own philosophy of success ,
derived from people who have been successful
in their own lives and in the betterment of others.
The Success Mentality attempts to open a mindset
of personal and community growth and empowerment.
An Excel Scholar
Wants to know.
Questions everything; finds answers.
Knows no truth except the pursuit of truth.
Celebrates the individual to elevate the group.
Engages in active responses.
Enacts change they wish to see in the world.
Excel Scholars are:
Humble.
Understanding this is the best way to grow and learn from others.
Patient.
Understanding that difficult questions take time to answer and one must not settle for easy explanations.
Themselves.
Understanding that personal growth lasts longer than trends.
The Project Excel Youth Advocates Program teamed up with Paul Devro , Creative Director for Mad Decent Records, the record label recently noted for producing "Look At Me Now" by Chris Brown and "Girls Run The World" by Beyonce. The record label is also noted for popularizing and bringing visibility to innovative music styles from the world.
Students and staff asked Devro questions about his experiences in the recording industry and how he selectively creates his unique style. Devro responded that he was inspired by "house" and dance music, but loves a wide range of musical styles, indicated by his Canadian roots as a record collector and trader. After the Q&A, the youth got to work and created music projects in collaboration with the producer.
Paul Devro can be seen travelling throughout the world djing, producing, collaborating with artists of various genres ranging from Snoop Dogg and Nas to A-Trak and Diplo.
To listen to and purchase tracks created by Paul Devro and the Youth Advocates Program, follow the link to our bandcamp site:
MAKENOISERECORDS.BANDCAMP.COM
To see more about Paul Devro and Maddecent Records, follow the links below:
maddecent.com
maddecent.com/artists/paul-devro
myspace.com/pauldevro
Make Noise Records is a youth-owned and operated record label whose mission is to give voice to New Orleans youth and spread awareness about pressing issues in their everyday lives. The musical aesthetic celebrates the uniqueness of local New Orleans culture, while exploring an eclectic mix of genres, ranging pop, rock, electronic, and country. Make Noise Records seeks to sponsor and train young artists to share their talents and insight with the world.
Listen and purchase music:
makenoiserecords.bandcamp.com
Take A Look is youth initiative to expose and begin conversation about the issues at stake in New Orleans Public Schools. Take A Look aims to enhance the quality of education in New Orleans Public Schools, through reviewing school environment, school resources, and education quality at local schools. The campaign uses a peer discussion process, through facilitating an online message board and rating system allowing students across the city to review the quality of services at the schools they attend. Additionally, the campaign provides supplemental education and awareness on the topics of school violence, security, drug dealing, testing procedures, dropouts. Take A Look hopes to give young people a new platform and help them identify relevant topics in the pursuit of better public education in New Orleans.
Unite! Dont Fight! was formed to address several issues that are at the root of violence in underserved communities in New Orleans. We seek to educate people in these communities on the problem pre-teen exposure to street crime. We will increase awareness about illegal guns in New Orleans. We are also planning an awareness campaign on domestic violence. We will address the problem of verbal aggression because disrespectful speech and trash talking can lead to violent and sometimes fatal confrontations. Lastly we will promote the safe and responsible ownership of guns and gun safety tips.
Respect Yourself; Protect Yourself seeks to provide sexual awareness regarding a variety of sensitive topics. We hope to help people understand how to prevent reckless sexual behavior including unwanted pregnancy, sexual abuse, STDs and HIV. Through free education seminars at hospitals, clinics, schools and community events, we hope to begin the conversation regarding positive and protected sexual communication.
Project Excel T-Shirt
Your contribution directly funds the purchase of technology, supplies, and the cost of building a new youth center in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
$19.99
Make Noise Records T-Shirt
Eco Coffee Mug
$15
Eco Iced Coffee Cup
CHECKOUT
Basic Membership
Your membership support goes directly to the purchase of technology, supplies, and the cost of building a new youth center in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
$25
Honor-Roll Membership
$150
Cum Laude Membership
$500
Valedictorian Membership
$1000
Alumni Membership
$5000
The Project Excel Tutoring Program is currently housed at the Entergy Innovation Center, an entrepreneurship development center located at 3232 N. Galvez St. in New Orleans' Upper Ninth Ward.
About
The Entergy Innovation Center (EIC) is a business incubator supporting entrepreneurship in the Upper 9th Ward. The EIC offers business counseling, affordable retail and office space, community meeting spaces, connections to professional service providers and technology access to connect entrepreneurs with necessary resources and promote self-sustaining economic development in the area.
With a focus on developing talent and business acumen in the creative industries, the EIC empowers the business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, professional artists and musicians, and community members and advocates that form the rich tapestry of the Upper Ninth Ward through essential business resources and collaborative spaces and programming.
Working with a diverse array of partners in New Orleans, the Entergy Innovation Center also employs creative mechanisms to create economic and social opportunity and thriving commercial corridors in the Upper Ninth Ward. Learn more about the Entergy Innovation Centers Programs.
TUTORING
YOUTH ADVOCATES
ART EXPOSURE - FILM CLASS
ART EXPOSURE - "LIVING WORDS"
