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Game Changer Fellow: KNOWLEDGE IS BORN


Peace, many have accused me of being a man of many hats. I have never been one to limit my birthright of creativity. Since I can remember storytelling has been apart of the way we communicate her in New Orleans. In my earlier years I began to gravitate toward music and the vibrations I would hear blasting from the street corners, block parties, and Second Lines (Jazz Funerals or celebrations) that would happen somewhere in the city at least three times a week. While in school I would harness my skills as a MC, storyteller (music and video) and poet.

At 21 years old, I am the bandleader of Souls of Freedom, a music and arts-based organization. I am also a storyteller and spoken word artist. I believe its not the media's responsibility to portray Black men. It is our responsibility. We have to be a reflection of light and hope for the generations to come. The stories I want to tell as a Game Changer Fellow are about how everyday Black men manage to live and make decisions from their higher selves, no matter what the circumstances are around them.

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Game Changer Fellow: BRANDAN "BMIKE" ODUMS

Brandan "Bmike" Odums, 25, a graduate of New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) is the founder and director of 2-Cent Entertainment LLC, a mentor, award-winning filmmaker, artist and innovator. His work is built on the idea of change and using visual art forms to do so. Brandan is a community leader and channels his energy to uplifting the perception of the younger generation.

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Game Changer Fellow: DOMINIQUE DACRUZ

"Little Brotha!, Whats up?!" .... For the first 10 years of my life this was me... Little Brotha. As I grew older, I started to understand why. I, Dominique Miguel Robert DaCruz, am the little brother my mom never had and because of her youthful look and my protective demeanor, it fit like bricks. I am the first child of two, raised by a warm family of caring grandparents and a maternal figure like no other: My mother, Elise DaCruz. She raised us in a home which put God first. Our families love for arts and business has encouraged an entrepreneurial spirit that fuels the lives of my younger brother, Miguel and I.

At 24 years old, with a graduation from Howard University quickly approaching, I am activity cultivating my career ambition as a Media Financier. The media projects I invest time and capital into are socially conscious and they reinforce positive realities of black men in a multitude of ways . My philanthropic goal is to create an environment where young boys and girls can be taught about the power of the media.

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Other Game Changer Fellows


EXCLUSIVE!
Game Changers Now Seen on theGrio.com

A Media Fellowship sponsored by the Open Society Institute’s

Campaign for Black Male Achievement

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Angry. Violent. Irresponsible. Thug. Gangster. Baby Daddy. Tired of seeing the same negative stereotypes of Black men in the media? We all are. Now let's do something about it. If you live in one of the cities below and are making a difference in your community, your story could be the subject of a 2025 Game Changer documentary.

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About the Program

What: The 2025 Game Changer Project: A media fellowship for African American males living in the following cities: Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee.

Who: Presented by Forwardever Media, the 2025 Game Changer Project is a national program sponsored by the Open Society Institute's Campaign for Black Male Achievement. The program puts the power of digital media production and distribution into the hands of selected leaders in various communities across the country.