FALL 2001 (B)

c/o Daniel Berry, 3426 16th Street, NW
#T-1, Washington, DC 20010
Ph: 202-276-5632 Fax: 202-387-1695
TheMidnightForum@Yahoo.Com
Web: www.MidnightForum.org

What Does The Midnight Forum, Inc Do?

The overarching purpose of the Midnight Forum is a non-profit organization to develop young leaders, artists, organizers, and entrepreneurs (youth ages 14-21) through a free after-school program and a summer work program where the youth receive free training via trainers to develop their own youth development projects that are inspired by the hip-hop culture that will bring a positive image of their youth culture to their neighborhoods in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area (DC, MD, VA).

Our Success With Virtually Nothing?

The first year has been successful primarily through in-kind donations trainers, advisors, equipment, program supplies, and facility space that trained over 25 youth directly to create a positive impact on society and then told over 500 youth about the program. Its goal this upcoming year is to pay and hire a Program Manager this year and to enhance the Youth Program by purchasing more program supplies and administration supplies to spread the word to the public in creative artistic ways like a T-shirts, CD, and etc.

Fall 2001 Youth Program Success:

The Midnight Forum was successful for its first ever semester in getting quality trainers that allowed the youth to attend and return to the program. Another goal was to have fun and to make a impact of learning something new for everyone (Board, Staff, Trainer, and Youth). Here are some quotes from the youth about the program: "It kept me off the streets. I learned something new." and "Comprehensive and Bold."

Spring 2001 Youth Program: Success:

This semester the trainers empowered more youth by having group discussions and hands-on experience that enabled the youth to perform their, MC songs, and DJ; and display their graffiti style images on poster board at ShowCase Night. Here are some quotes from the youth: "Having confidence and style. How to properly flow.", "That it shows us how to learn new things and appreciate new things and urban Hip-Hop.", "Positive way of hanging out.", "I learned leadership and entrepreneurship."

Summer 2001 Youth Program Success:

This was the first of many summers where the youth will be paid via D.C. Mayor's Office to participate in the program. This happened when a brand new group of youth met for five weeks every weekday for three hours. The trainers came in and taught the youth to: create written and freestyle songs, enhance your business, become a DJ, draw in a new style, and be a leader by displaying your projects at the ShowCase Night. Here are some quotes from the youth: "How to set goals, scratch on a turntable, and freestyle", "Its fun cause you get to meet different people."

Staff: Daniel Berry, Executive Director and Founder Board of Directors: Dominic Painter, Chair; Shanna Lim, Vice-Chair; Javier Griffiths, Treasurer; Jason Shiggs, Secretary; Jihad Isaac Mursen, Darrell Perry, and Daniel Berry. Letters of Support: Buckingham Youth Brigade, Boca Records, Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School For Public Policy, Freestyle Union, Arturo Griffiths, Latin American Youth Center, Latino Leadership Institute, Metro Teen AIDS, The National Organization of Concerned Black Men, Public Allies National and D.C. Office, and Jason Shiggs Grants: Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School For Public Policy, D.C. D.O.E.S. Passport-To-Work Summer Youth Program, Rawkus Entertainment, LLC, and NCCED In-Kind Donations: Arent Fox Attorneys at Law, Cesar Chavez Public Charter High School, Jason Shiggs, Metro Teen AIDS, The Berry and Hynes Family, Dominic Painter, Public Allies D.C., Miller and Gulati Family, Emily Streett, and The Midnight Forum Trainers Technical Assistance: Arent Fox PLLC Attorneys At Law Fiscal Agent: Metro Teen AIDS