DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice is a grassroots community organization in Bed-Stuy that aims to:
- bridge the digital divide
- teach media literacy + cultural awareness amongst young women of color
Founders, Sha Sha Feng and Clarisa James
decided to form DIVAS after collaborating during graduate school. James
received her BA in Music & Media Studies and Feng received her BA
in Computer Science & Music. Both are alumnae of the MFA program in
Integrated Media Arts at Hunter College. They are actively involved in
creating socially conscious media.
Through their personal experiences, Feng and James became painfully
aware of the under-representation of women of color in the Information
Technology and New Media fields. Hence, DIVAS was born!
Studies indicate that the Information
Technology profession is made up of only 35% women and the number of women
of color within that percentage is even less. DIVAS for Social Justice
is determined to tear down economic and racial barriers to encourage
young women of color to become future leaders in their communities and
the Information Technology/New Media fields.
On December 1st, the DIVAs are having a fundraiser and lecture at the the Magnolia Tree Earth Center (677 Lafayette Avenue in Bed Stuy). Marcia Harris will deliver a lecture on Imagery & Its Power.
use of the N-word in its historical context using visuals, DVDs,
and a PowerPoint presentation to engage youth and adults
in an open, honest, and historically revealing interactive
discussion.
The purpose of this effective presentation is to critically
analyze history, propaganda, media manipulation, and
past/present-day caricatures in understanding why some of
us dislike ourselves, continuously distrust one another, and
kill each other so easily.
This event is great for educators and youth facilitators