2008 Annual Report

one
common
unity
annual report 07
annual report 2007
who we are...
introduction
Founded in 2000, One Common Unity (OCU) is a grassroots,
member-supported 501(c)3 non-profit organization—an intergenerational community of artists, educators and peace workers who aim to nurture sustainable, caring communities & support socially responsible entrepreneurship through a variety of
local and global arts initiatives, omni-media programming, and
innovative peace education services.
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Come together across generational lines as an
effective vehicle for artistic-cultural expression
Provide support & management for participants in
their efforts to sustain themselves as entrepreneurs
Promote & produce a variety of positive and uplifting community projects, events, concerts, and public programs.
Serve as a bridge between people in need
and organizations that meet those needs.
Give voice to the progressive spirit of humanity
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areas of focus
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objectives
OCU has 3 core areas in which it delivers services & projects to fulfill
its mission of nurturing sustainable communities: Global Arts; OmniMedia; & Innovative Peace Education. OCU addresses the local and
global need for alternatives to violence and peaceful solutions by
working with public schools, organizations, and private institutions to
develop summer, after-school, and year-round programs, curriculums,
seminars, events and workshops that immerse individuals in the principles of personal responsiblity and community consciousness.
project update
MEDIA
SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITIES
EDUCATION
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ARTS
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peace education
annual report 2007
The Peacemaker Training Institute, developed and sustained by the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Nonviolent Youth Collective, helps young
people become more effective peace
and justice activists. The PTI training this
year took place from June 13 – 20 at
Abram’s Creek, West Virginia. It was
co-sponsored by One Common Unity
and the Common Fire Foundation and
offered 20 participants (ages 18 – 29)
from around the nation with: Nonviolent strategies to deal with interpersonal
and systematic violence...
Opportunities to network with other active youth
from diverse cultures...
Leadership, communication and conflict
resolution skills...
Interaction with experienced activists working for
peace, equality, and community empowerment...
Hope and inspiration for the future...
The confidence and ability to make a difference.
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for more information on our partners visit:
www.forusa.org & www.commonfire.org
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annual report 2007
peace education
ShantiSalaam
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ShantiSalaam is One Common Unity’s first international arts-based peace and conflict resolution initiative. The pilot tour took place from December 2006
to January 2007 a dynamic 8 week journey through
India-Kashmir-Pakistan. The ShantiSalaam artists,
musicians, and educators performed and facilitated
interactive workshops on peace and reconciliation
at universities, and made presentations in over 14 cities and reached thousands of people through radio,
print, and television about the need for dialogue and
coming together across religious, racial, economic,
and national borders.
Washington DC (Dec. 4-9)
New Delhi, India (Dec. 5-13)
Dharamsala/Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh (Dec. 14-18)
Srinagar, Kashmir (Dec. 18-22)
Amritsar, Punjab (Dec. 22)
New Delhi, India (Dec. 22-23)
Lahore, Pakistan (Dec. 23-27)
Islamabad, Pakistan (Dec. 27-30)
Mumbai, Maharashtra (Dec. 30 - Jan. 6)
Pune, Maharastra (Jan. 6)
Nasik, Maharashtra (Jan. 7-10)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat (Jan. 10-14)
Jaipur, Rajasthan (Jan. 15-16)
London, England (Jan 17-23)
Paris, France (Jan. 23-27)
Washington DC (Jan 28 - Feb. 3)
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Tour Dates:
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the arts
Young Women’s Drumming
Empowerment Project
This year the Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project (YWDEP) enjoyed its 3rd year of extraordinary success, serving a diverse group of 40 young
women, ages 13-18, through the Summer Enrichment
Program (SEP) with three committing themselves fully
as graduates. YWDEP lists of accomplishment for 2007
include:
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annual report 2007
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successful
YWDEP’s goal of empowering young women’s self
esteem, raising their voices and bridging cultural
and socio-economic gaps was realized once again
throughout 2007.
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omni-media
A Nu View introduces students to alternative career choices where they
can draw on their own personal experiences, and use the art of story
telling as a creative outlet for change. The program challenges participants to think critically about the world we live in and address issues
of vital importance through an artistic medium and nonviolence. A Nu
View provides first hand experience in film production from
start to finish.
For the entire month of July, student participants (ages 15 – 18) met almost everyday and engaged in workshops, with experienced facilitators from Straight, No Chaser Productions and One Common Unity. They
learned how to craft their own stories and utilize film and media
to create positive social change.
As you shall see by watching our first completed film, “A Weigh with
Words,” the program allowed the high school students the opportunity
to meet, interview, dialogue, and learn from some of the most widely
respected scholars, activists, and musicians from around the country.
Some of the great personalities who appear in the film, and those the
youth interacted with include: Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Dr. Michael Eric
Dyson, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, E. Ethelbert Miller, Raheem DeVaughn, Colman McCarthy, Phil Wilson, Tony Medina, Alfreda
Davis, Dr. Dorothy Height, and Dr. Celine-Marie Pascale.
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Funded in part by a grant from the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence, the film from this dynamic new initiative was screened on August
22nd, 2007 in Washington, DC, at the Regal Cinemas in Gallery Place
Chinatown. During the program’s closing ceremony/film debut, the
parents and friends of the students were able to see their
tremendous growth over the 2 months time.
common folk
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One Common Unity introduces the Common Folk Campaign.
We recognize organizations, businesses, families, and individuals that aspire to the values of the organization and support
programs, services, and opportunities that further the mission as “Common Folk!”
One Common Unity’s commitment to “Common Folk,” is to help
each person refine and reflect practical applications of peace
and serve as a bridge between those in need and organizations that meet their needs. As friends of the world community,
OCU supporters assist the ongoing efforts of the organization by
providing yearly fiscal contributions and/or actively participating in and promoting our programs & activities.
Common Folk celebrate their differences and unite through their commonality. Those who become members of OCU pledge not only to live peace through their words,
but in direct day-to-day actions. OCU seeks to remove the anti-war, anti-establishment, blaming
“the system” attitude, replacing it with personal responsibility and creative solutions to global,
environmental, and economic problems. Inter-personal resolutions to choose love over hate, happiness over misery, wellness over sickness, and knowledge over ignorance are the first steps of
establishing and maintaining peace in the world.
“I smile at those around me and treat people how I would want to be treated.”
-Oyamiwa Walker, Ubutu Village
“I make the world a better place by promoting unity in the school
where I teach. I teach my students to be the best they can be,
and that they can be and do anything.”
-Mrs. Tate, Garrison Elementary
HOW COMMON FOLK ARE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
“I feel that I make a difference by knowing that it’s okay to
have a different perspective, to be accepting, to be creative,
and to share.”
-Harikem Saaku, Art Major at Salisbury State University:
“I make a difference by working on being
a good listener, and being considerate to
others.”
-Hip-Hop Producer Jerrod Jackson
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testimonials
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“One Common Unity has been a great inspiration to the diversity of students at
Wilson Senior High School in Washington, DC. Their teachings and commitment
have created and molded our Peace Program and provided an opportunity for
our students to realize their responsibility to one another and the planet. Keep up
the great work OCU!”
-Dr. Stephen Tarason, Principal, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School
“Before this project I really didn’t think much of what I said to people because I’m the
typed of person if I have something to say I’m going to say it. In other words, I don’t
hold anything back. But now I realize that there’s a certain way to say what you feel
and not be rude about it. I think of words like this, “Each word has an emotion attached that’s why we should always watch what we say.”
–Calvin Smith (A NU View youth participant, 2007)
“It is words and their power that keep me going. Someone said that words are
manifestations of our thoughts and ideas and can crystallize into actions. In other
words, words are a medium of premium significance… through this documentary,
I learned that society is a matrix of interacting people and words can create compassion or conflict within society. I learned that not everyone thinks the same and
that different people have different interpretations of words.”
-Malick Kebe (A NU View youth participant, 2007)
“Through the process of filming this documentary, I have learned a great deal
through the people I interacted with, the exploration of film, of words, and as a
result, exploration of myself. The film project gave me a wealth of knowledge and
experience to put to use in my life. It was an enormous growth opportunity for all
of the students, and I feel that I undoubtedly made the most of it. I can take what
I have learned on the set and with the crew out into the real world and use the skills
I have learned for my own benefit, and those of others.”
–Julian Peters (A NU View youth participant, 2007)
“BRAVO on the work you do!!! Gorgeous! Wonderful! Your website is soooo beautiful! I LOVE it! I forwarded it on to some people I know... thank you thank you for the hope
and the inspiration.”
-Jennifer Appel, Filmmaker
“My experience with YWDEP was very rewarding, something I will always remember
and keep with me. I learned so much, not just with the art but also socially and mentally about growing up and becoming a woman. The program let me express myself to a
different audience and socialize with girls from different cultures and backgrounds.”
-Jennifer Evans, 15, a graduate of the 2007 YWDEP summer program
“Awesome newsletter. I’m very impressed by the work that you’re doing, on so many
levels. Please know it is affecting many people!”
-Steve Hasse, What is Enlightenment? (Magazine)
“OCU! Just want you to know that I love what you’re doing! I was happy to get this
year-end report, and especially, to check out the trailer of the Nu View Film by the
youth! Looks great! I remember hearing about it when the project was in its early stages, back in the summer when I was up at Abram’s Creek --- it looks really good right
now. Glad you’re keeping the fire going! Thanks a lot for your great work. “
-Sabrina Sideris, Univ. of Colorado, Program Director (Community Leadership in Action)
“Thanks soooo much for a great show last Friday at Sounds of Hope! Please pass on
my gratitude to your volunteers! I already entered and sent a thank you letter to your
guests who signed the mailing list. What an amazing, uplifting crowd of folks and supporters. Thank you AGAIN for making Sounds of Hope a great success!”
-Mary Shaprio, Potters House
“Its been a few weeks since I’ve returned home from my D.C. experience, and I already miss it. If I had to choose one workshop, speaker, or site that was my favorite it
would definitely be the One Common Unity program. For years I’ve tried to persuade
my friends that peace is a definite conclusion to all situations... but they claim I am
only a dreamer. Thank you for showing me that I am not the only ‘dreamer,’ and that
it’s possible for this world to become one... thanks for a great program, and greater
knowledge that proves people are good at heart.
-Ashley, Student, Congressional Youth Leadership Council
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“This experience with One Common Unity showed me that words really do affect
people. Their reaction may not be immediate, but they will always remember
what was said to them. I discovered that I feel good about myself when I use
positive words about others, and I feel negative when I say inappropriate words. Hopefully, when other people see this documentary it will affect them the same
way it affected me. It caused me to think, and really analyze my world. I’ve
learned that although others use words to degrade or uplift people, I have to be
responsible for what I say, because the impact of the words I say can be bigger
then what I had expected to be. Now that I know my habit with words I’m making
an effort to make sure I don’t call anybody an inappropriate name
just for the sake of insulting them.”
–Lyndsey Newsome (A NU View youth participant, 2007)
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financial info
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our supporters
2007 Supporters of O
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The following organizations & businesses have partnered, s
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Abram’s Creek Retreat & Campground, LLC
African American Holiday Association (AAHA)
American University
Bank of America
Bar Nun
Beautiful Love
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Black AIDS Institute
Black Luv Festival
Breakthrough
Bus Boys and Poets
Center for Teaching Peace
Center for Whole Communities
Children’s Studio School
Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development
City First Community Bank
Coeus International School
Columbia University
Coolidge Senior High School (SHS)
Co-Op America
The Common Fire Foundation
DC Commission of Arts & Humanities
DC Department of Parks & Recreation
District of Columbia Public Access Television (DCTV)
Donatelli & Klein
Earth Conservation Corps
Educational Lyrics
Emergence Community Arts Collective (ECAC)
Entertainment Education
Everlasting Life
Georgetown University
Genesis Poets, LLC
Grove Printing
Guerilla Arts, Inc.
Howard University
Interfaith Youth Corp
Invisible Children
Java Green
Latin American Youth Center
Live Green
supported, and/or collaborated with OCU projects in 2007.
Mama Sita’s Cultural Center
McKinley Tech High School
Mercy Corps
M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-violence
Mocha Hut
MOSAICA (Center for Non-profit Development)
National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE)
National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC)
National Park Service
New York University (NYU)
NW Sport and Health Club
Olender & Association Law Firm
Park Triangle Productions
Potter’s House
Prayer Vigil for the Earth
Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan
R.O.O.T., Inc.
Safeway
Sankofa Café
School Without Walls High School
Solar Publishing
Spirit of Truth Foundation
St. Stephen’s Church
Straight, No Chaser Productions
Teaching for Change
The Center for Creative Emergence
The Everlutionary Trust
The Lincoln Theater
Uni-Tees
University of Jaipur, India
Vagabond Productions
Whole Foods Market
Wholeness for Humanity
Woodrow Wilson Senior High School
Words Beats & Life, Inc.
WPFW 89.3 FM - Pacifica Radio
WPGC 95.5 FM
WRFG 89.3 FM - Atlanta
XM National Satellite Radio
Youth Leadership Support Network (YLSN)
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One Common Unity, Inc.
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the people of ocu
Board of Directors
Zaccai Free.....................................................Board Secretary
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Dr. Tracee Jamison..........................................Board Member
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Rajeev “HAWAH” Kasat.............................Executive Director
Adrienne Noel.................................................Board Treasurer
Mikuak Rai..............................................................Board Chair
Kenya Hakashamut Stevens...........................Board Member
Advisory Council
Dr. Sunyatta Amen
Founder/ Director
MamaSita Cultural Center
Nicole Bacon, ESQ.
Attorney at Law
Shahid Buttar, JD
Asscociate Director for Communications
and Outreach, American Constitutional
Law Society (ACS)
Michelle James
CEO, Center for Creative Emergence
Mr. DJ Kim
Founder & Owner, Java Green
Colman McCarthy
Founding Director, The Center for Teaching
Peace
Luci Murphy
Community Activist, Singer/ Songwriter
Jali-D
Arts & Education Entrepreneur, Rappercussionist
Brenda Pfieffer
Architect, Broadening Green Design
Kenny Dickerson
Assistant Principal, Woodrow Wilson Senior
High School
Ms. Krishna Roy
Board Chair, M.K. Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence
Maryrose Dolezal
Joel Segal
National Program Coordinator, Fellowship
Senior Legislative Assistant, U.S. Congress
of Reconciliation
Andy Shallal
Founder & Owner, Bus Boys
and Poets
HAWAH
Executive Director
Kari Omara
Director of Operations
Jacob Forbai
Chief Financial Officer
Charneice Fox
Program Director, A Nu View
Kristen Arant
Program Director, Young Women’s Drumming
Empowerment Project
Alexandra Silverthorne
Program Assistant, Young Women’s Drumming
Empowerment Project
Brent Joseph “Munch”
Artistic & Project Director, The Movement
Open Mic Sessions
Andrew Yonki
American University Intern
Shelly Zhao
Georgetown University Intern
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Staff, Volunteers, & Interns
Liz Mcauliffe
Georgetown University Intern
Dawn Abate
Special Events Coordinator/ Promotions
Kai Safran
Promotions
Helina Metaferia
Graphic Design
Kiki Joy
Sustainable Communities Researcher
Jessica “Munirah” Woods
Special Events Coordinator
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Nurturing Sustainable, Caring Communities through
Innovative Peace Education, Arts and Media
One Common Unity, Inc.
Global Headquarters
1525 Newton Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
Tel: 202.232.0909
Fax: 202.529.2125
[email protected]
Design by Eli Yudin