out the Urban Mediamakers

The mission of the Urban Mediamakers is to promote and support a strong diverse independent media arts community in Atlanta emphasizing the work of African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and other people of color. Our goal is to be a main player in the continuous movement to attain true diversity in media by providing individuals with assistance with development, production, post-production, financing and distribution of independent media -- animation, film, music, print, television and video.

The Urban Mediamakers Association is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, not-for-profit organization that brings talented and aspiring individuals together to focus all forms of media. Guided by past wisdom and reflecting the new generation of mediamaking, we are dedicated to thinking out of the traditional box. We depend on powers beyond ourselves to provide opportunities and open doors in all facets of our lives.

Through our Young Urban Mediamakers (YUMs) program, we are partnering media professionals with youth ages 13-19 to encourage, inspire and educate them in all areas of media..

We are continuously seeking cutting-edge individuals that embody our mission and who would like to be a part of our creative manifestations.

Why the Urban Mediamakers?

Media images represents America's highest and most immediately recognizable commodity. Media — animation, film, print, radio, television and video — and their implied messages form the worldviews of millions.

As stated in the "2001-02 Prime Time Diversity Report" by Children Now, "What story do we tell the world, especially to its youngest and most impressionable viewers, about ourselves when certain groups are consistently privileged, others subjagated and still others altogether unseen?

...During the Fall 2001-02 season, a youth watching prime time on the six major television networks would most likely see...a world...

...still primarily populated by able-bodied, single, heterosexual, white males under 40.

...of more diversity in the 10 o'clock hour, but a more hoogenous and segregated one during the 8 o'clock hour when he/she is most likely to be watching television.

...in which the overall number of Latino faces increased from last year, though the majority were found in secondary and tertiary roles and nearly half of these characters held low status positions and occupations.

...with few Native Americans and a world where Native American women do not exist."

These are just a few examples of the barriers that exist in media for African Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Latinos, and Native Americans. With challenges such as these before us, we must (1) continue to empower ourselves through creative ideas, financing and distribution of independent works of the urban community; (2) create projects that reflect a positive and realist picture of the day-to-day life of diverse people; and (3) support entrepreneurs and promote multicultural collaborations to achieve great goals.

The Urban Mediamakers Association, Inc. adds diversity to the artistic community in Atlanta and the Southeast. We offer a consistent forum where creative individuals in animation, film, print, radio, television, and video can interact, collaborate, produce, and showcase diverse projects.