Mississippi Youth Media Project
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YMP Student Voices

Hear from our current class of 2017 Youth Media Project participants in their own words.

I Want to Learn Things from Others

6/14/2017

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by Meché Leflore
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My YMP experience so far has been very ... different to say the least. When I first pulled up to the Capital Towers, I was so nervous! I was behind schedule because I did a deed by picking up my friend, and fellow YMP student, Maisie, because she had to go to her father's job early. As Maisie and I entered the parking garage, my stomach sank to the floor. If you've never been inside a parking garage, it's dark ... very dark, even during the day. From the roof to the floor, it's approximately 10 feet of nothing but concrete.

As I drove up floor to floor, desperately looking for a spot, I couldn't help but think, "Oh my God, I'm already late for my first day and now I can't even find a parking space?" I was STRESSED! I had to remain calm because I was with Maisie, and she was a veteran at this, so I could not wear my emotions on my sleeves. 

 As I stood in the elevator headed to the 13th floor, I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing a white T-shirt, regular jeans and my white Nike Huaraches I just recently got for my birthday in April. I remember thinking "is this under-dressed?" and "I wonder do I look cute enough." Now reading this, I know this sounds very cliché of me to think about my appearance but that's something I have always thought of no matter where I went. I honestly blame society.
       
When I came through the doors and saw all the smiling faces from Emily, Donna and the other staff, all of my worries faded away in an instant. I knew from that moment I had nothing else to worry about. My feelings went from nervousness to anxious. I was anxious for what YMP has in store for me. I was anxious about the new friends I was going to meet. After the first icebreaker game Emily had for us, I was very relaxed. I met new people that I would never see myself communicating with at all. 
       
Though this is only my third day here at YMP, I have high expectations for the summer. I plan on becoming not only a better writer/journalist, but also I plan on become a better person. I feel as though my loquacious personality will inspire others to come out of their shells and become a better version of themselves. 

Also, at YMP, I want to learn things from others. I want to leave the program and be a better Meché. I actually feel as though I am a better Meché already. I am very hopeful for this summer at YMP. ​
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Major Sponsors and Supporters of YMP

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Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is a leader in informational broadcasting. MPB has exhibited a commitment to educating and informing Mississippians. MPB has partnered with YMP to lend tech equipment and provide youth engagement and media specialists to train students. 
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E3, a project of Parents of Public Schools of Jackson (now Ask for More), supported YMP in summers 2016 and 2017 with stipends for students, and other  resources.
The Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (now The Community Foundation of Mississippi) is the
​fiscal sponsor for E3.
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Podastery Studios in downtown Jackson offers a network of locally produced podcasts. Beau York, founder of Podastery, has generously donated his time to train YMP students in podcasting skills and allowed Youth Media Project students to borrow professional podcasting equipment to learn
​production skills.
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Dialogue Jackson, formerly Jackson 2000 Inc., is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to fostering understanding and building harmony between people of different races, ethnicities and backgrounds. The group became YMP's fiscal sponsor in 2017 and hosts youth dialogues for teens.. 

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Choice Printing in downtown Jackson is an in-kind sponsor of YMP offering YMP copying and printing services from its Capitol Towers location.

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Good Design & Code >>

Good Design & Co offers high-end UI/UX, web development, app development and branding services. Principal J.C. Hiatt is helping YMP students publish their own website for stories, video, podcasts and more.
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Jackson-based Workplace Solutions by Barefield is a Steelcase authorized dealer offering high-end office furniture and technology solutions. Workplace Solutions has loaned chairs, mobile desks and mobile whiteboards to create a collaborative office for YMP participants.

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Jackson-based Fuse.cloud (formerly Broadband Voice) offers Voice-over-IP phone systems, fiber Internet connections and technical services. Fuse.cloud has sponsored phones, VoIP phone service and technical assistance for YMP.

SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. GEORGE SCHIMMEL and NATALIE IRBY FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS OF PRODUCTION IMACS FOR THE YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO YMP.
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