Independent Black Film Collective

09/08/2020

"Jackson Public Schools will open August 17. The fall semester will be completed 100% virtually! Children will need school supplies in their homes. We are getting an Adopt-A-Teacher model going, and we are really being very deliberate about matching community resources with school-specific needs.

It is now more important than ever for our Jackson community, including churches and businesses, to come together to ensure that our children have what they need to complete a successful school year.

I continue to say, 'This is an unprecedented situation, requiring an unprecedented response!' We can unite and work together to support our scholars and their families, to build a community around our children that says , 'It’s not about me, but we.’

If you would like to become a Community Partner, or to invest your time, talent or treasure, please register your name, organization and email at this link: https://forms.gle/JwbgkHFCqGE9LS3i8

We have created an electronic document to inventory school specific needs, and will be in touch to inform you of where and how you can make a difference!"

- Thea Faulkner, Director, Partners in Education - Jackson Public Schools

Before change can happen, somebody has to imagine what that change looks like! At the Community Foundation for Mississippi, we are engaged in world building, imagining what is possible for public life, education, community development, arts and culture, and other areas of charitable philanthropy in Jackson and Mississippi, with our partners and investors.

If you are for Mississippi for GOOD, get involved with volunteer opportunities through our statewide partner Volunteer Mississippi MSHUBNETWORK.COM

If you are interested in creating something that lasts FOREVER, contact us to become part of our Legacy Circle or to discuss a Planned Gift www.formississippi.org

Learn more about how to become involved with a new civic covenant and a shared vision for our Capital City, through a Public Innovators Virtual Lab with The Harwood Institute http://jacksonready.formississippi.org/ When we engage in reimagining public life, anything is possible!

14/06/2020

[IN RECENT NEWS] YouTube has created a fund to amplify voices a color - LEARN MORE

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki pledges to help protect and amplify black voices on the site.

31/05/2020

“Every time you wake up with a breath, you should consider that a blessing. And one of the reasons it's a blessing is because it’s an opportunity to try again.

Unfortunately, people have grown weary. There’s no refuge from collective pain. We’re in that moment now. The fires that are burning in our country, in our communities are fires of helplessness and hopelessness and despair and fear and anger. But we have the opportunity to come together to create fires of warmth – and energy.

The most critical thing, the most immediate and important thing for Jacksonians and Mississippians to do in this time period is to be quiet and to listen. Listen intently, like our collective lives depend on what you hear. It's one thing to see that a person is in pain, and want to help. But you can’t really help until you have heard what is hurting.

One of the things I want to believe most about our leaders is that their hearts are in the right place. My hope for those leaders is that they will have the courage to go to where the smoke and the hurt and the pain is, and then they will use what they learn to inform their decision making. And bring everyone to the table.

I recognize there has been an intentional stripping of agency. But every day presents a new opportunity to go out and connect our intentions and whatever power we have with others. As the scripture says, the three-strand chord is not easily broken. We are able to multiply our strengths when we find others who are of similar mind.

That’s the way it happens. ALL of us have a power. We should search our lives for those instances, because those are the ways that we are most effective.”
- Vondaris Gordon, husband, father of three young black women in Jackson MS; Founding Board Member and current Youth Engagement Manager of William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation; former VP of Operation Shoestring Board and former Founding Board Member of Refill Cafe Jackson Initiative

At the Community Foundation for Mississippi, we are engaged in world building, imagining what is possible for public life, education, community development, arts and culture, and other areas of charitable philanthropy in Jackson and Mississippi, with our partners and investors.

If you would like to explore a new civic covenant and a shared vision for our Capital City, volunteer or nominate someone to participate in our upcoming Public Innovators Virtual Lab with http://jacksonready.formississippi.org/

Get involved with volunteer opportunities through our statewide partner Volunteer Mississippi MSHUBNETWORK.COM

At the Community Foundation for Mississippi, we imagine a Mississippi where every community is connected to the resources, knowledge, and tools to create meaningful and lasting change – for Mississippi, for good. Forever. For more, visit www.formississippi.org

28/03/2020

[WRITERS] check this out!

12/02/2020

Hey IBFC! If you're an aspiring screenwriter/writer/novelist in the Jackson, MS area here's a new opportunity for you!

[WRITERS] Join this FREE Screenwriting Class Overview with Michele Mathis on Thursday, February 13th in Jackson, MS

FREE overview of upcoming screenwriting classes in the Jackson area. The instructor will discuss the curriculum, classes, and dates offered. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and see if any are a fit for you. Novelists welcome!

DATE: Thu, February 13, 2020
TIME: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM CST
LOCATION: Whole Foods | Community Room | 4500 Interstate 55 North Frontage Rd

REGISTER HERE - http://ow.ly/2Tj850yjWR0

For more information about me, visit: Michelemathis.com

Space is limited.

20/01/2020

Happy MLK Day from Mound Bayou, Mississippi.

“I was born and raised in Mound Bayou, MS where service was taught as a value early on by my family and other members of the community. Service to me means maintaining the respect for traditions and values.”

- Carla Ross
Former Regional Coordinator, America Reads Mississippi

During a series of workshops, Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) together with Blue Magnolia Films supported AmeriCorps members to use documentary storytelling tools and techniques to tell their own personal STORIES OF SERVICE.

The collection highlights the outstanding leadership of our members and shows how content written and produced by people for their own communities empowers change narratives, and helps our volunteers and the communities we serve, to build on common values together.

Please like and share this video to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Mississippi and to expand our reach across the state using hashtags

Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) engages Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Each year, our AmeriCorps Members are among more than 75,000 Americans engaged in intensive, results-driven leadership.

Whether they are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safe, building affordable homes and responding to natural disasters, our AmeriCorps members are helping us to grow Missisissippi’s story and increase the impact of volunteerism across the state. To learn more, visit - www.volunteermississippi.ms.gov

12/01/2020

“I want to see children build confidence. Then they can do anything they want to do - And they'll start to believe it, they'll start to verbalize it and they will have actions to go with it!”

- Marilyn Rice-Jackson
Member and Staff Alum, America Reads - Mississippi (ARM)

During a series of workshops, Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) together with Blue Magnolia Films supported AmeriCorps members to use documentary storytelling tools and techniques to tell their own personal STORIES OF SERVICE.

The collection highlights the outstanding leadership of our members and shows how content written and produced by people for their own communities empowers change narratives, and helps our volunteers and the communities we serve, to build on common values together.

Please like and share this video to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Mississippi and to expand our reach across the state using hashtags

Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) engages Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Each year, our AmeriCorps Members are among more than 75,000 Americans engaged in intensive, results-driven leadership.

Whether they are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safe, building affordable homes and responding to natural disasters, our AmeriCorps members are helping us to grow Missisissippi’s story and increase the impact of volunteerism across the state. To learn more, visit - www.volunteermississippi.ms.gov

05/01/2020

“Although AmeriCorps members serve for one to two years, that is not where their service and contributions end. Once an ARM AmeriCorps member always an ARM AmeriCorps member! This spirit becomes a part of you - ”

- Marcia (Ronjanett) Taylor
State Program Director, America Reads - Mississippi (ARM)

During a series of workshops, Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) together with Blue Magnolia Films supported AmeriCorps members to use documentary storytelling tools and techniques to tell their own personal STORIES OF SERVICE.

The collection highlights the outstanding leadership of our members and shows how content written and produced by people for their own communities empowers change narratives, and helps our volunteers and the communities we serve, to build on common values together.

Please like and share this video to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Mississippi and to expand our reach across the state using hashtags

Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) engages Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Each year, our AmeriCorps Members are among more than 75,000 Americans engaged in intensive, results-driven leadership.

Whether they are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safe, building affordable homes and responding to natural disasters, our AmeriCorps members are helping us to grow Missisissippi’s story and increase the impact of volunteerism across the state. To learn more, visit - www.volunteermississippi.ms.gov

Featuring Larry Kinds Sr., Shamberi Horton, Angel Bell & Catina Johnson.

01/12/2019

“We train and teach individuals with disabilities, health and wellness skills in the local schools. I also coach Special Olympics. I hate to hear the word ‘can’t’. People with disabilities can do anything.”

- Sylvester Tobe Crosby, Program Specialist, TRIAD AmeriCorps, University of Southern Mississippi

During a series of workshops, Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) together with Blue Magnolia Films supported AmeriCorps members to use documentary storytelling tools and techniques to tell their own personal STORIES OF SERVICE.

The collection highlights the outstanding leadership of our members and shows how content written and produced by people for their own communities empowers change narratives, and helps our volunteers and the communities we serve, to build on common values together.

Please like and share this video to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Mississippi and to expand our reach across the state using hashtags

Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) engages Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Each year, our AmeriCorps Members are among more than 75,000 Americans engaged in intensive, results-driven leadership.

Whether they are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safe, building affordable homes and responding to natural disasters, our AmeriCorps members are helping us to grow MIssisissippi’s story and increase the impact of volunteerism across the state. To learn more, visit - www.volunteermississippi.ms.gov

21/11/2019

“Mississippi needs AmeriCorps! Because the servants are building a platform that the leaders can stand on. And if there's no platform for the leaders to stand on, where do they stand?”
- Jonathan Rosser, Service Member, FoodCorps at Delta EATS

During a series of workshops, Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) together with Blue Magnolia Films, supported AmeriCorps members to use documentary storytelling tools and techniques to tell their own personal STORIES OF SERVICE.

The collection highlights the outstanding leadership of our members and shows how content written and produced by people for their own communities empowers change narratives, and helps our volunteers and the communities we serve, to build on common values together.

Please like and share this video to celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in Mississippi and to expand our reach across the state using hashtags

Volunteer Mississippi (the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service) engages Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. Each year, our AmeriCorps Members are among more than 75,000 Americans engaged in intensive, results-driven leadership.

Whether they are teaching children to read, making neighborhoods safe, building affordable homes and responding to natural disasters, our AmeriCorps members are helping us to grow MIssisissippi’s story and increase the impact of volunteerism across the state. To learn more, visit - www.volunteermississippi.ms.gov