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a 501 (C)(3)
Non Profit Organization
Dakar
Foundation for the Performing
Arts is a visionary nonprofit organization committed to providing
youth with mainstream access to entertainment industry tools
and career paths. The foundation is dedicated to Barbara Clark
as she and Kevin are the founding visionaries responsible
for all efforts and the mission of the foundation.
The Foundation effectively targets and reaches at-risk youth
who want more out of their lives than what the odds may present
and seeks to place students from economically disadvantaged
communities into the Entertainment Industry.
Dakar is a 501(C)(3) non profit organization representing
works and articles owned exclusively by Buffalo Soldier Military
historian expert Anthony Powell.
The Dakar Interactive ALLIANCE is an outgrowth Dakar Foundation
For the Performing Arts that was founded in 1989 as a results-oriented
business solutions firm specializing in action-directed strategic
planning, comprehensive project support and computer services.
The Dakar ALLIANCE crafts, implements and manages custom designed
solutions for entities involved in government, education,
utilities and commerce. We are particularly skilled in applying
cutting-edge Information Technologies as an integral part
of quality improvements or as a stand-alone engagement.
The influence of media in the lives of youth is significant,
yet traditional media unfairly characterizes youth in inner-cities
in negative stereotypes as violent underachievers. They are
also surrounded by the influence of drugs, violence, and crime.
As a result their community is portrayed as one of the most
dangerous in the country. Changing demographics also hint
at the potential for cultural conflict if there is no opportunity
for cultural exchange.
Neighborhood schools often do not have the resources to offer
creative alternatives, and there are few after school programs
able to meet the need of the large number of youth in danger
of not making a successful transition to become well-balanced,
healthy, productive adults. Schools are focused on models
that improve test scores rather than creative, compelling,
and innovative areas of new media instruction. Most students
have only a brief time to use computers in their studies and
little time for creative pursuits. Young people need to have
a safe place dedicated to their interests that provide access
and training on the latest new media technologies. Youth also
need to be able to counter stereotypes and create their own
content, messages, and have a means to address the issues.
Youth must become active producers of content rather than
passive receptors of misinformation they also need to made
aware of available career opportunities and career paths open
to them and be exposed to life beyond their community. They
need to have access to role models and industry professionals
who can guide and steer them onto the career paths with the
greatest potential.
Computers are vital to the future yet in inner-cities the
Digital Divide is widening. There are no video and new media-centric
programs in this community built to the scale to handle the
large number of youth that desire to participate. Youth must
learn to create content that reaches and impacts the lives
of their peers and allows their voices to heard in civic and
social debate around crucial issues
Young people between 14 and 20 are very interested in and
motivated to participate in digital music, video and entertainment
programs. As heavy consumers and users of computer games some
desire the skills to create their own games.
The DAKAR Foundation for the Performing Arts is a high tech,
high touch arts and media community technology center offering
programs in digital audio and video production, graphic design,
and multimedia. At-risk youth in danger of dropping out can
gain a renewed passion for academic and vocational studies
while gaining new media skills and experience to qualify for
entry-level entertainment industry jobs. |
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