Dear Friends,

Can you believe that we have been helping young people tell their own stories for nearly 10 years?

It was not that long ago that a few individuals had an idea to create an organization to put cameras and media technology in the hands of young people. Not long ago that we crowded our office in my house, and use borrowed space and equipment to teach workshops in the community. And it seems like yesterday that we stepped on the stage for the first Who Are You? Youth Media Festival.

As the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Wide Angle Youth Media, I have been privileged to be part of a growing community of powerful young people, talented media makers, supportive families, and engaged community members who create and support youth voice. This work has been my passion for over 15 years, since a summer internship with Baltimore Youth Television – when I first saw the look on a young person’s face when she saw herself on video. Back then I realized that teaching youth how to create media taught them how to communicate more effectively. More importantly, making their own media helped them see their own potential, and give them hope.

I then saw the other power of youth media – the way it transforms the broader community. I saw how it could create a movement  - building a space for advocacy and social justice, creating opportunities for youth leadership, and making a stage and screen for unheard stories. I realized youth media could make a difference here in Baltimore, the way it had in other cities like New York and Chicago. And when I understood the potential, I began my life’s work.

Back in the early days, when I was the lone staff member, I dreamed of a time when there would be many leaders, young and older, moving our mission forward. That time has arrived.

It is with great pride and gratitude that I announce my time at Wide Angle has come to a close. It has been an amazing journey – from seeing our very first video on screen (“I Dream of Ghetto Genie” – with Kids on the Hill and the Youth Entrepreneur Associates) – to celebrating our first high school graduates, Cady and Sam – to now, welcoming a new class of middle schoolers to our Baltimore Speaks Out! Program at the Enoch Pratt Free Library  - to our future, as we work with the McCormick Foundation to help other cities host their own youth media festivals. I’ve enjoyed every minute, and am grateful for every experience.   

I leave this organization in excellent hands. After a thoughtful process beginning with mission-driven leadership development, our Board of Directors has selected Susan Malone to be Wide Angle’s new Executive Director. I cannot be more thrilled with this, as Susan has been part of Wide Angle since the early days, and for the past seven years has steadily become the leader that this organization needs to move forward. For the past year I have worked with Susan to ensure a smooth transition occurs, and I am confident we are on the right track.

We have big plans for the upcoming months. This summer we launch our first full-scale summer program, in partnership with Northeast Middle School. In July, our Youthworkers begin paid internships, using their media and peer teaching skills in the community. I will continue to conduct professional development trainings in the Verified Resume evaluation process through December – so that more organizations and schools can certify their youth, and help them get jobs. Come fall, we begin a new season of workshops for more than 500 youth. And in November, we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary with a very special event!

These accomplishments will happen because we are part of an amazing community of young people, families, educators, businesspeople, artists, leaders, and supporters. That’s why we are still here today, despite the many challenges we have all faced in the past year – because we are a making a difference together. And we plan to be here for a long time, giving the next generation the tools and guidance so they can use media to make a difference in Baltimore, and beyond.

I have one last request. Please support Wide Angle as Susan takes the reins, and we all move forward together. Consider this year an opportunity to renew, and increase your annual gift – to make an investment in our organization, our future young media-makers, and their stories.

With great appreciation,