SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME FOR "LATINA" EMPOWERMENT
Latinitas Summer Camp at the MACC Demonstrates the Glamour and Grit of Being a Journalist
Posted on June 01, 2008
Showing young Latinas how being a journalist can not only get you backstage at a Hannah Montana concert, but how media can be used to support and motivate community, Latinitas magazine is holding its second annual summer camp at the Mexican American Culture Center downtown (600 River St.) providing intensive two-week courses in media production.
Putting the power of media in the hands of girls in grades four through eight, Latinitas summer camp is a refreshing mix of lessons in cutting edge technology, cultural pride and media fun. Depending on their preference, girls engage in everything from creating their own television talk show to web publishing to creating a digital photography show fit for Latinitas magazine’s online gallery!
Session #1 Writing and Photography Mavens – June 9-20
Session #2 Video and Radio Superstars – July 7-18
Session #3 Design and Web Divas – July 28-Aug. 6
Why Latinas? Why media? The numbers of Latinas in decision making positions at newspapers, television outlets and radio are still abominably low. In fact, as recent as 2003, the American Society of Newspaper Editors report that Hispanics only represent two percent of the majority of newsrooms even heavily-Latino cities like Los Angeles and San Antonio despite census reports that show more than onethird of the American population is defined as a racial and an ethnic minority with Hispanics leading as the fastest growing population than any other groups.
To register for any session call: 512.478.6222.
YOUNG LATINAS RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS IN AUSTIN CAMPUSES
Latinitas Incorporates Commmunity Service in 2008 Curriculum
Posted on June 01, 2008
Emphasizing media’s use as a way to help community, Latinitas, the first digital magazine for young Latinas, incorporated a service learning project into each of its media and technology-based programs at 18 elementary, middle and high schools in Austin and Round Rock this month.
Over 200 girls enrolled in Latinitas after school Club Latinitas and teen reporter internship programs were encouraged to develop a project that would raise money and awareness for another Austin non-profit, using graphic design, radio and video to promote the project in schools. In the spirit of Latina empowerment, many schools chose to conduct and promote a Beauty for the Soul Drive, soliciting toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant for SafePlace residents. Using skills honed in Latinitas’ programs, girls made flyers, radio and video public service announcements and web sites related to the donation drive and domestic violence awareness, in general.
Latinitas program at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders used their digital photography skills and sold portraits at lunch to their classmates, raising money to buy toiletries for SafePlace residents.
“What we found most inspiring was seeing girls from families faced by their own economic challenges rally their loved ones and friends to give what they could. The outpouring of support was astounding.” said Latinitas co-founder, Laura Donnelly.
The Beauty for the Soul Drive was sponsored by a State Farm Youth Service Award. The grant supported Latinitas’ staff in developing new service learning curriculum.
Latinitas (www.latinitasmagazine.org) is in its fifth year of production and has xpanded its program reach to El Paso, Texas this year. Teen Latinitas in print is scheduled for launch at the end of 2008. This summer Latinitas is hosting three two-week sessions of summer camp at the Mexican American Culutural Center – call 512.478.6222 to register.
Session 1: June 9-20 – Writing and Photo Mavens
Session 2: July 7-18 – Video and Radio Superstars
Session 3: July 28-Aug 8- Design and Web Divas
FOUNDER OF FIRST DIGITAL MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG LATINAS HONORED AS NATIONAL YOUNG VISIONARY
Posted on April 01, 2008
HOUSTON, TX – Alicia Rascon, the co-founder of Latinitas (www.latinitasmagaz ine.org), the first digital magazine for young Latinas, was selected as the 2008 Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz “Women of Achievement” Young Visionary award. Out of a national nomination process led by the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago , Rascon was selected for her dedication to empowering Latina youth using media and technology.
Just 28 years old, Alicia Rascon is one of the founding sisters of Latinitas, a bilingual national magazine made for and by young Latinas, published out of Austin , Texas . The magazine was started by Rascon and Laura Donnelly five years ago at the University of Texas at Austin as a way to counteract the negative and absence portrayals of Latinas in media. The team has developed outreach curriculum that features activities in web publishing, reporting, digital photography, radio and video production and more that reaches 300 girls weekly in Texas and thousands since Latinitas’ beginning.
The Sor Juana Festival is a multidisciplinary festival that honors one of Mexico ’s greatest writers, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th-century Mexican nun who valued the education of women. Sor Juana was a celebrated playwright, mathematician and poet in her own time and considered to be the first feminist of the Americas .
A proud Latina, Rascon has worked hard to not only create a forum for young Latinas’ dreams, goals and values while presenting accurate images of Latina beauty, intellect and culture, but has also addressed the low representation of Latinos working in media by generating programming that is cultivating the next generation of Latina editors, writers, photojournalists, radio producers, television talk show hosts, web and graphic designers and so much more.
Since it’s origin, Latinitas has reached over a quarter of million readers while operating outreach programming that includes after school programming, a teen reporter intern program, workshops, camps and college internships. This year, Latinitas has expanded its program model outside of Austin city limits for the first time starting Latinitas West Texas in El Paso , Texas .
Rascon was recognized at an awards dinner at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston , TX on March 26, 2008.
The festival celebrates the legacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and pays tribute to the rich artistic accomplishments of Mexican women from Mexico and the United States . The festival includes: film, music, dance, theater, and literature and will take place at different venues throughout the cities of Austin , Houston and San Antonio , Texas making it the largest Latino/a performing arts festival in the nation.
After making its historical debut in 2007 to record audiences in Houston , the Sor Juana Festival returns to Texas to celebrate its Quinceañera or 15th Anniversary and 2nd year in Texas .
Alicia Rascon lives in El Paso , Texas with her husband Del Humbertson and son Roberto.
BRIDGING INDIGENOUS CULTURE WITH CONTEMPORARY LATINO LIFE:
Austin Photographers Help Latinitas “Foto” Event
Posted on April 01, 2008
Many Latin American photo shows feature native life such as portraits of locals in indigenous garb or a stoic elder’s face, but, often these shows and its attendance have little connection with the culture being portrayed.
Latinitas, the first digital magazine for young Latinas, was designed to counter the lack of or misrepresented images of Latinas in media. Wednesday, April 23, Latinitas is presenting its Fotos de Mi Alma Silent Auction Event, 6-9 pm at Copa Bar and Restaurant (217 Congress) – connecting Latino indigenous photography with its contemporary Latino audience in Austin.
Professional photographers in Austin including Skip Hunt (www.skiphuntphotography.com) and Leslie Nowlin (http://lesleynowlinphoto.com) have dedicated their careers to capturing and celebrating candid images of Latino life, entrenching themselves often in the cultures they depict.
“Sometimes it’s like capturing magic when I’m on a shoot in Guatemala or Mexico. Yet, there is a lot of distance between those moments and a show here in Texas,” said Nowlin. “What I like about contributing to Latinitas’ foto event is the natural bridging of cultures I photograph with their American manifestations here – the girls Latinitas works with in their programs.”
Latinitas received donated photography from professional, amateur and student photographers including work produced by its 18 after school programs in Austin and Round Rock, its teen reporter intern program and numerous workshops.
The event will feature food, raffles and a live acoustic set by Edo. (www.myspace.com /edomusic)
Latinitas (www.latinitasmagazine.org) is in its fifth year of production and has expanded its program reach to El Paso, Texas this year. Teen Latinitas in print is scheduled for launch at the end of 2008.
Photographers interested in donating should email latinitasfotos@yahoo.com or call 512.322.9947. Requesting framed photos. Color or black and white prints accepted.
FIRST DIGITAL MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG LATINAS HAS EXPANDED TO EL PASO
Posted on April 01, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas – Latinitas, the first digital magazine for young Latinas, has expanded its program model to El Paso, Texas.
Latinitas magazine (www.latinitasmagazine.org) is geared toward Hispanic/Latina youth ages 9 to 14 with two bilingual monthly publications focused on young Latinas’ empowerment and pride. Over fifty percent of the magazine’s content is generated by Latina youth who participate in Latinitas’ after school programs, a teen reporter intern program, media conferences, free Saturday media camps and workshops, currently operating in Austin, Texas. In order to broaden the magazine’s girl-generated voice, Latinitas has brought its outreach programs in web design, news writing, digital photography, radio and video production and media literacy to El Paso’s Latino community and, soon, its school districts.
Alicia Rascon, a native of El Paso and co-founder of Latinitas, is commandeering the expansion.
“El Paso is an ideal expansion city for Latinitas program model and its proximity to New Mexico and other U.S. states opens up additional growth possibilities outside of Texas.” she said. Latinitas is partnering with faculty at the University of Texas in El Paso and Latinitas’ two online magazines will begin to incorporate content from Latinitas’ newest members from West Texas.
Addressing issues such as cultural pride, family traditions and important issues facing young Latinas such as the high rates of teen pregnancy and school drop out – Latinitas is a forum for young Hispanic girls and teens to express themselves. Programs equip young Latinitas to become the next force in media, no only cultivating reporters, producers, editors and web designers, but also potential IT professionals and more. This is Latinitas first expansion out of the Central Texas area.
Latinitas also produces Teen Latinitas magazine online (www.teenlatinitas.org) for girls 14 and older which will be published in print in early 2009.
Founded five years ago at the University of Texas at Austin by then-students Alicia Rascon and Laura Donnelly to counter the negative and often absent portrayals of Latinas in media, Latinitas has grown its magazine audience from hundreds to tens of thousands per month, grown its volunteer numbers to over 100 writers, photographers, translators, program leaders and fundraisers and now has grown its program reach to a whole new territory in West Texas.
LATINITAS HOSTS SPRING BREAK CAMP AT MACC
Posted on March 01, 2008
WHO: LATINITAS
WHAT: MULTIMEDIA SPRING BREAK CAMP
WHEN: MARCH 10 – 14, 2008, 9AM TO 5PM
WHERE: MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER (600 River Street)
AUSTIN, Texas – Latinitas (www.latinitasmagazine.org) the non-profit publication with outreach focused on empowering young Latinas using media and technology is hosting an all-day camp during Spring Break 2008.
Girls ages 7 to 14 are invited for day-long snapshots of Latinitas programming that includes lessons in digital photography, radio and video production, writing and graphic design. Register by calling 478-6222 or by emailing macc@ci.austin.tx.us.
