Conscious Movements Collective is dedicated to furthering human rights initiatives by using music, art and technology to raise the awareness of global rights issues among youth (13-25). Urban music, particularly Hip-Hop, which has spread universally from New York to South Africa to Japan, is a focal way of translating and highlighting the needs of our community to those who can help. The organization empowers people to educate themselves about world issues, creating a community of internationally-focused, socially-progressive, young people who recognize the world around them as place where they can enact positive change. CMC projects include, but are not limited to, a web-based resource center, an online radio show, benefit shows and parties, performance-based youth programs, CD-Rom programs, films, and special initiatives.
Past projects:
The directors of Conscious Movements Collective are not just working hard on their own projects, but have been involved in several co-productions with other organizations, including New York Housing Works and the African Peace & Unity Concert.
NY Housing Works
This project was the first in our youth outreach program. CMC directors Tchaiko and Adrienne took Gravity artist extraordinaire Akil Baker (read more about Akil Baker and Housing Works at www.lmmental.com), into a Community Center in Bushwick to introduce us to the 100 kids, who were in the midst of a cross-community basketball game. Our focus in going to speak with the youth was to let them know about Gravity, what we do and how they could become a part of that, and also to spend a bit of time on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it relates to them. Akil set the tone with his mc b-boy beat boxing guitar-playing performance, after which the CMC directors took the opportunity to speak briefly about their mission and promote the April 13, 2001 show. As more artists join the CMC team we hope to multiply the number of projects we're able to take into community centers and schools.
African Peace & Unity Concert
This co-sponsored concert was organized by the artistic team of Tribe of Djembe, including Ricardo Rickatts. The goal of the show was to raise awareness about the wars and disease that are wearing down Africa's strength. CMC was invited to be a part of the organizational team in the role of stage manager, which Gravity directors Tchaiko and Adrienne split between them. The concert was at the Central Park Bandshell on a gorgeous sunny afternoon in July. Artists performing included Tribe of Djembe, which Ricardo happens to lead on guitar and vocals, Somi, Black Reign and a number of African dancers. The audience was a mix of fans and wanderers, and the turnout was an overwhelming success. CMC was mentioned several times, and ended making a number of important connections with doctors, photographers, artists, singers, and more. We look forward to working with them again.
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