YMP Even Better This Year

6/13/2017

by Z'eani Furdge

Last year in the Youth Media Project, I was very scared and just kept to myself. I never spoke unless I was spoken to, didn't speak up during discussions, and was just a plain-out mess!

Being here now, I feel like I have grown and made much more progress since last year. Although I was still kind of nervous and scared when YMP started this year, I feel I opened up quicker and had more confidence in talking and meeting new people. I am glad my mom pushed me to come back because I would not have met the amazing, awesome and talented people I've met this year!
My experience this summer in YMP so far has been great. I have met so many awesome and talented people. Even though we haven't known each other for that long, it feels like we have because everyone is open to meeting each other. I enjoy how the mentors engage us in interaction with each other and help us to really get to know each other.

I am a quiet person and keep to myself, but being in YMP is helping me come out of my shell and be more open to expressing my opinion. Even though I may not speak a lot, I enjoy how we brainstorm and gather our thoughts and ideas on specific topics that we are going to be working on in the future.

Being here has also helped me to get things done when they need to be and how to work well with others. I also like how there is a non-judgmental environment where everyone is accepted regardless of anything such as race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Although we are just getting the feel of things this year, it seems like we are going to have a good time this summer, and I can't wait to see how the rest of it turns out!

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Our Sponsors and Supporters

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.

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.

Podastery Studios in downtown Jackson offers a network of locally produced podcasts. Podastery has generously donated their time and allowed YMP to borrow professional podcasting equipment to learn production skills.

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..

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

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.

Special thanks to the Mattiace Company for supporting and maintaining YMP's creative and inspiring office space on the 13th Floor of Capital Towers in downtown Jackson.

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 the Youth Media Project.

SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. GEORGE SCHIMMEL FOR HIS GENEROUS DONATION OF A PRODUCTION IMAC FOR THE YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT.

YMP Student Voices