E IN BROWNSVILLE MADE IN BROWNSVILLE MADE
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Made in Brownsville
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\ letter from our founder
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Our greatest responsibility is to ignite hope in young people for a future without margins that respects and celebrates difference; A future that has no need for the word inclusion.
Dear Friends of Made in Brownsville, We came into 2019 still soaring off the excitement of the grand opening of The Labs, our storefront innovation hub and maker space. In the year, we grew our Creative Apprenticeship Program alumni family to 17 in it’s second year, piloted a Summer Academy of 17 young adults which saw 100% retention, and we cultivated 120 of our neighbors in community in engaging and creative programming through our monthly Creative Fridays mixer. It humbles me to say that with your support, we activated this vacant space along a dying commercial corridor and transformed it into a vibrant community asset for youth and creatives. This year saw both our greatest number of individual donors and total donations amount in MiB history.
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2019 was also a year of leaning into core team building. We saw a restructuring that enabled us to end the year strong setting us up to make key hires in 2020 that will support curriculum design, development and overall org sustainabilty. In late 2019, the Board of Directors approved an organizational name change to Youth Design Center. This is a reflection of our five year strategic plan goals to expand our impact. Most importantly, our alumni are getting educated at institutions across the country, invaluable real creative agency experience and hired in the industries they are passionate about. As the arbitor of this awesome mission, I thank you for allowing me to pursue my passion of designing solutions for the most underestimated community I know. Best, Quardean Lewis-Allen Founder and Chief Executive Officer
BY THE NUMBERS VC backed startup Founders* US. Licensed Architects** STEM Workers***
Black
Latinx
White
1%
<2%
77%
<2%
3%
90%
9%
7%
69%
*Diversity In U.S. Startups Rate My Investor. **AIA Diversity in the Profession of Architecture Survey ***Pew Research Center 2014-2016
\ why it matters
Made in Brownsville
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The East Brooklyn community, where approximately 76% of residents identify as Black and 20% identify as Latinx, has some of the highest rates of incarceration, poverty, and disconnected young people in New York City. A quarter of East Brooklyn youth ages 16 to 24 are neither in school nor working. Socio-economic conditions stack the odds against our youth, whose access to educational training for and connections to professional opportunities with sustainable and sizable income is severely limited. Furthermore, Black and Latinx individuals are dramatically underrepresented in STEAM fields. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the STEM occupations are amongst the fastest growing fields of work and that 93% of these jobs offer wages above the national average. Even among workers with similar levels of education, STEM workers earn two thirds more than non-STEM workers. Meanwhile, Black and Latinx individuals make up only 9% and 7% of the tech workforce, respectively.
Top: Completed mural on the side of our new location at the corner of Belmont Ave and Osborn St. Middle: Co-working and gallery space showcasing the products of our alumni. Bottom: Inside our media lab.
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MiB responds to the high rate of disconnected youth in East Brooklyn and the lack of diversity in the design and technology sectors as interrelated issues. As such, we provide opportunities for community members aged 14 to 24 to develop skills and experience in technology and design. Moreover, we instill program participants with a sense of community accountability, challenging them to build upon their technical skills toward applying them to community needs. By creating entry points to STEAM professions and fostering civic engagement, MiB aims to reduce the number of disconnected young people in the neighborhoods we serve, help local youth who are former offenders successfully reintegrate into society, and disrupt the cycle of poverty in our community.
1 in 4
youth aged 16-24 in Brownsville and Ocean Hill are not in school and not working.
Lowering barriers to design and tech professions for underestimated youth through apprenticeship. Made in Brownsville roots its work in the Creative Apprenticeship Program (CAP), through which we endeavor to lower barriers to design and tech professions for underestimated youth. Toward this end, CAP focuses on: 6
1) introducing young people to the creative industry,
\ our solution
Made in Brownsville
2) ensuring that they are engaged and invested in their culture and communities, and 3) providing opportunities for professional development and upward mobility.
As East Brooklynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first youth creative agency and innovation hub, MiB is a gateway to economic mobility for underestimated youth through apprenticeship in design and technology. We believe that creative thinking and entrepreneurship can positively impact a young person. We envision a future where our participants benefit from a competitive advantage in the changing innovation economy and, in turn, disrupt the cycle of poverty for the next generation. In 2013, we had an ambitious idea that young people could utilize their talents to harness the keys to economic mobility by providing creative services to the business community and their neighbors. Training and employing youth offers them a key solution to economic disenfranchisement and has a
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transformational effect on their lives, their families, and their communities. Since then, our core activities have included an apprenticeship program where 14- to 24-year old youth provide design services under the mentorship of design professionals; institutional career exploration program bringing STEAM education to partner youth serving institutions; and free or affordable digital media literacy workshops helping our neighbors build marketable skills to achieve economic stability. Upon successfully completing this program, Apprentice Designers are able to join the MiB creative team as project-based freelancers.
Demographics North African
Black
Female
Ethnicity
Male
Gender
100% Retention 17 Portfolios Created recommend to 83% would someone they know.
Made in Brownsville
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\ summer academy
92%
agreed they accomplished their personal goals during the program.
In 2019, MiB piloted a Summer Academy in partnership with Medgar Evers College Beacon and Summer Youth Employment Program. This paid summer studio introduced students from Brownsville and Van Dyke houses to 3D Design, woodworking and coding. Participants created digital portfolios and fabricated ornamental storage boxes. They went on exposure tours to leading design and tech companies, explored financial literacy and gained access to employment avaialable to them in their backyard.
Our exit evaluation found that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reduced the gray areas in our youthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative skills.
Branding Proficiency
Expert Advanced Intermediate Basic No Experience Before MiB
After MiB
Before MiB
After MiB
Design Software
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Computer Science
Woodworking
\ creative apprenticeship program
Made in Brownsville
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Demographics Mixed
Black
Male
Ethnicity
Female
Gender
8 Portfolios Created felt better prepared for opportunities 100% in the creative economy. 100%
would recommend to someone they know.
The MiB Creative Apprenticeship Program (CAP) is a comprehensive training program that provides participants with foundational knowledge in the fields of technical design and creative services. Upon completion, our trainees become Apprentice Designers, where they freelance with and are mentored by industry leading creatives on various design projects and commissions. The program takes place over three months, with two 3-week phases followed by a 6-week capstone project. The first phase focuses on providing a foundation to working in the creative industry, while the second phase introduces training specific to the chosen creative discipline. The capstone assesses proficiencies while also emphasizing professional development and workforce preparedness. In 2019, we admitted 15 studetns into two CAP studios in 3D Design and Photo/Video. With early dropoff of some finding employment, 8 stayed on to successfully complete the program.
Design Software Our exit evaluation found that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reduced the gray areas in our youthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative skills.
Before MiB
After MiB
Expert Advanced Intermediate Basic No Experience
Multimedia Skills 11
\ exposures
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Top: Shakira, Founder of Shot By Kyra photography. Left: Gerard A. (left), Founder of Lumiere clothing brand makes a sale at his pop up at The Labs during his Commencement.
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Right: Kwesi J., Founder of SCTR7 creative agency.
\ outcomes
Made in Brownsville
$933/mo
50%
of our alumni have started their own business since leaving the program.
7,387
hours alumni volunteered in 2019 for various causes.
CAP alumniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s average monthly income increase 6 months after program. 33% are incorporated entities. Businesses include graphic design, marketing, urban planning, apparel design, photography/videography, engineering, technology, web development, hair stylist, arts, creative consulting, and 3D design/ architecture. Young people engaged in arts programming are more likely to be civically engaged and complete high school at higher rates.
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Alumni Bill and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;angelo model the YFW clothing line of cohort mate and entrepreneur, Frank McFly.
$2,000
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In scholarships awarded to college bound alumni.
$19,866
Destiny J. 2019 Summer Academy Scholarship Recipient City College of NY Freshman pursuing Architecture
\ impact
Made in Brownsville
In youth stipends and incentives paid since 2017.
Our alumni have earned
$62,445
from our creative agency since 2018.
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When I first heard about MiB I didn’t know what to expect and was expecting an okay experience but it turned out to be 1,000 times greater than expected.
- Gerard A. | 2019 CAP Photo/Video
- Assitan M. | 2019 Summer Academy
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MiB helped me realize my artistic side and made me consider a career in interior design.
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- Ramya B. | 2019 Summer Academy
MiB gives a tangible skill in a community that lacks support to the youth. In Brownsville the only other thing you can really do is play basketball. MiB just gives a whole new perspective.
- Wael M. | 2019 Summer Academy
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MiB was a big help and great support system. I learned valuable things and skills I can use in real life. I also visited places I’ve never been to or seen. It’s not the typical program because you’ll actually enjoy going. The amount of free resources offered is amazing!
I gained confidence to further my photography skills and pursue music and software engineering. YDC proved to be a great motivation for me. I have been able to use photography/videography and soft skills in my life and career. I gained confidence to further my photography skills and pursue music and software engineering. Made in Brownsville is a great resource that everyone in the community should utilize.
MiB has introduced me to several career options that I had otherwise never given thought to. They’ve also shown me that there are people that look like me in every industry I could think of; which inspired me on multiple levels. Their Creative Friday events are very insightful & impactful; you always leave with something. When I do become successful I will give back to them what they’ve helped me achieve so the work that they do never dies.
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- Kwesi J. | 2018 CAP Graphic Design Intensive
\ impact
“ Made in Brownsville
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- Taylor R. | 2019 CAP Photo/Video
The MIB program was wonderful and impacted my life in a big and positive way. First off the program gave me a safe space where I can go be me, learn new things and meet new people with similar interests. The team and instructors taught me so much but also gave me someone to talk to and expand my thinking. The program taught me structure for my day and skills that I can use in the real world at jobs. At the time of the program I was not working and the money given to me at the end helped me start my business. Living in a low income dangerous neighborhood, the program kept me occupied and out of trouble. I left safe with a greater kind of network. I really appreciate MiB and so happy to see the growth of my peers and the program itself.
- Frank McFly | 2018 CAP Graphic Design Intensive
Presenting her photographic portfolio at Commencement.
- Tatiana M. | 2019 CAP Photo/Video MiB allowed me to break ground and taught me skills I could apply to the real world. I was never really aware of the career paths available to me until I became a participant. I’ve had the opportunity to visit different agencies and get a glimpse of what it’s like working in the creative industry.
At Google for social media workshop powered by Reisenbach Foundation.
- D‘angelo H. | 2018 CAP Graphic Design Intensive
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At the start of my apprenticeship with MiB I was extremely lacking confidence in my work and in my little and big wins. With the help of MiB I’ve learned to be more outspoken, confident in my work and work ethic and most importantly I’ve learned to celebrate every win no matter how big MiB also gave me the opportunity or small. MiB also gave me the to create my own creative family. opportunity to create my own creative family. I know that no matter what, MiB is always a call or a bus ride away.
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Darian Dawkins 2019 CAP 3D Design
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\ impact
Made in Brownsville
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Darian earned her first full-time salaried job as a Marketing and Events Manager with MIB’s referral to a local employment partner. Upon starting the YDC Cap program I was a recent college grad who had moved back home to New York. Like any other fresh college grad, all my focus was geared to getting that dream entry-level position. And while I was now well equipped academically there were three major things I was lacking that prevented me from reaching this goal. One: improvement in my design capabilities and professional development. Two: a network of seasoned professionals that looked like me. And lastly, access to technology and a safe quiet place. YDC has gone above and beyond to provide this and more with the added bonus of being centered in my childhood neighborhood. While I had taken art design classes in school, there was no doubt in my mind that I was well behind the curve when compared to my counterparts. I had no formal art background and hadn’t been exposed to even the basics. I spent four years stumbling through the design portion of my curriculum trying to learn as I go but always being behind. This gave me crippling anxiety and doubt that I could ever fully reach the dream job I really wanted; “brand manager/ creative director”. When YDC offered me the opportunity to learn design despite having no formal training I was skeptical. I thought it would be another case of me struggling through a program once they saw how behind I really was. I was astounded when not only did my instructors listen to my ideas and teach me the skills to bring them to life, but they also explained how they started off with no formal art training as well. How they, too, were self-taught. I got so much more out of the
Darian presents her capstone project at Spring Commencement.
YDC program than even provided in the description. My instructors taught me a lot about not only how to navigate the professional world but how to navigate it as a black individual. They introduced me to black creatives and black spaces in the creative field I didn’t
They introduced me to black creatives and black spaces in the creative field that I didn’t even know existed. even know existed. Upon completing the program I didn’t just leave with new skills, a new portfolio, and new connections, I now felt confident enough to call myself a designer and get back on track to my dream job. Even after the completion of the program, the YDC location continued to support me. Providing me with contacts, job opportunities, and unlimited access to the technology and space I needed. Sometimes even just being an ear to lean on, a very underappreciated service. Within six months of completing the program, and a referral, I had landed my first entry-level position in my field, with the title I wanted. Without YDC, I am not sure what path I would have ended up on.
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Made in Brownsville
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\ PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Our CEO in conversation with Simeon Coker for our first MiB Talks fireside chat.
Every 3rd Friday of the month, Made in Brownsville has a community event called Creative Fridays. It serves as an opportunity for MiB to bring the arts and the community together. Creative Fridays are free to the public and usually run from 6pm to 9pm. We are always looking for people to host this event by bringing what you already do to Brownsville. In the past, we have hosted creative conversations, game nights, live painting + poetry, film screenings, business panels and more. Are you a musician? a filmmaker? an event curator? A creative? This is the perfect space to launch your next project or host the next event. Contact us at info@youthdesigncenter.org
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Contributions
9% 13%
$292.5K
3%
In-kind
CORPORATIONS
Services
6% Individual
62%
3%
Foundations
GRANTS
2% $63K $30K
2018 2019
In-kind
Services
Individual
2016
GRANTS
Government
Foundations
CORPORATIONS
Government
2018 2017
$10K
Clients
\ our supporters
Made in Brownsville
2019
$16K
$15.3K
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$44K
In 2019, our youth creative agency provided $63K in professional design services. Logo Design/ Website Screen Printing
Reports/Brochures Murals/3D Design Photography Illustration
Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District BK’s Grub People of Color Productions Bespoke Impact Advisors Tomorrow’s Leaders NYC NYC Momentum Education World Rythym Academy Brownsville Community Justice Center Wavey’s World BlackSpace J.M. Kaplan Foundation Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation Waverly School for the Arts New York State Health Foundation United for Brownsville Huff + Gooden Architects
$100,000+
$25,000-$99,999
$10,000-$24,999
In-Kind
Individual Donors and Gifts Adam Feit Adenike Huggins Alan Ai Andrea McCullough Anonymous Amber McCarthy Assouline-Litchen Foundation Audrey E. & Berverly A. Gardner Avilda Whittmore Beam Camp Bianca Paz Chike Maduabuchi Community Solutions Darnell L. Moore Daphne Lundi Daniel Murphy Emily Lee Eric Shaw Erik Johnson Erin Healy
$31,241.45 in individual gifts! Thank you! Gordon Gebert Jerry Blaine Jesse Gericke Joan Bakiriddin Joe Torres Johnnymae Robinson Joleen White Jonathan Key Jonathan Marable Jordyn Lexton Josephine L. Hargis Julius Lang Justin Garrett-Moore Kathryn Finney Kathy Yuen Kristen Pride Kristen Thompson-Bush Kyle Mushkin Lauren Alexandra Burke Lian Chang
Lujuanda Rush Marcus Lacombe Mark L. Gardner Michael J. Hirschhorn & Jimena P. Martinez Monte Henderson Niani Taylor Network for Good Paul Howard Quardean Lewis-Allen Rasmia Kirmani-Frye Sherlen Archibald Silvia Lee Sofia Alvarez Steven Rank Steven Clunis Veronica Loomis William Bryant Miles Xuam Vong
Your support helps our youth realize their fullest potential. madeinbrownsville.org/donate
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Made in Brownsville
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\ staff, board, and highlights
WELCOMING NEW STAFF
Brittany Bellinger
Brittany Bellinger has been working with MiB since 2018, but in July she became our first Program Manager. She brings 8+ years of youth development experience, most notably as a Curriculum Coordinator for Harlem Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zone. Her work has set the foundation for programs in 2020 that will serve more youth than in any previous year. We also welcomed several teaching artists including Emmanuel Oni (3D design), Karyn Westbrooks (video) and Khaalid Rahman (fabrication) who have made amazing contributions to the education and professional development of our participants.
CONGRATS SHAMROC Shamroc Cook over the past 6 years has been a intergral part of the MiB family. This ambitious young man born and raised in Brownsville Houses saw creative work happening in his backyard and asked if we needed help on our first mural at MGB POPS. From that exchange, he became our first intern managing our pop-up store and assisting in screenprinting and operations. This year Shamroc went on to complete his GED and has been earned gainful employment in an industry he enjoys. We congratulate Shamroc for his presistance and thank him for his contributions of the MIB community. Khaalid Rahman
BOARD MEMBERS Justin Garrett Moore, Acting Chair Mark L. Gardner, Acting Secretary Jerry Blaine, Acting Treasurer Shamroc Cook
Departing Board Members Nupur Chaudhury, Former Chair Krishna Davenport-Francis, Former Treasurer Lindsay Barbee Busayo Olupona Daniel Fountenberry Jeffrey Coles Thank all current and former members for their commitment to our mission and youth.
2019 Board Meeting
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT Through our ongoing partnership with Brownsville Community Justice Center, we were able to complete an urban entourage project in which students worked alongside City College Architecture students to design and build “friendship benches” to occupy public spaces in their community. Their devised solution addresses mental health and public safety through a design that integrates a buddy system to move objects with the space for conversation and sharing experiences. The Osborn puzzle benches combine to form a stage for performance.
A GROWING BUSINESS
From humble origins, our printmaking shop has seen an increase in production requests both for products and events. We have produced products for Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Tomorrow’s Leaders NYC, the Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District and live screenprinting for NYC Summer Stage, Brooklyn Arts Council, Hester Street Collaborative and the Be On Belmont Street Festival. We are excited for the growth that 2020 will bring in our ability to increase opportunity for our alumni around production.
CULTURE CON
Thanks to our partners at Pink Sparrow, our alumni were able to attend Culture Con this year. It was an amazing opportunity to network, practice their professional etiquette and learn from industry leading creative professionals of color. Thank you Pink Sparrow.
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E IN BROWNSVILLE MADE IN BROWNSVILLE MADE
info@youthdesigncenter.org youthdesigncenter.org