User:Felix Leo Campos

I suppose I'm expected to write about myself on this page. All are welcomed to reach out and comment.

Felix Leo Campos: I am a Latin From Manhattan, born and raised in New York’s Spanish Harlem (El Barrio/the Neighborhood). That makes me, Felix Leo Campos, a “Nuyorrican"(New York born/bred Puerto Rican)”. Currently I'm working as an independent television & video producer but my background and upbringing has firmly grounded me, personally & professionally, in media activism, development, & organizing. Growing up in a multi-ethnic neighborhood, I became bilingual, fluent in both Spanish & English.

I got my Bachelor of Arts Degrees, Puerto Rican Studies and English: Professional Studies, from Herbert H. Lehman College. I also studied in Master Degree programs at Hunter College and CCNY in both Anthropology and Bilingual Special Education. During this time I worked in the New York City Public School system in the bilingual & bilingual special education programs. The experience as a teacher taught me, as many other colleagues have also learned, that not everyone in a "special education" program need be there but, it takes more resources than what the government & private enterprise are willing to invest to see it through. I taught grades k through 7 in my day and I have more happy memories of my students than bad.

Joining my own life's experiences with that of my students, most of whom were immigrants, helped each student find an easier path to acculturate into the urban jungle of the U.S. They learn survival skills as well as academics and the such. As much as I can say I've benefited from being their teacher I hope, it was more theirs than mine. The theory being to present myself not in any predetermined fashion but to be a blank canvas, an unshaped stone or trunk that they can mold an image of me in their life, for themselves. As such, I can be a friend to some, a parent, a teacher, mentor, a confidant, an authoritative figure to others.

My work experience in commercial and public television has honed my on-camera & behind the camera skills in directing & producing, camera work, studio & field production set up. As a producer I have created paid project opportunities with major corporations like CITGO, A & E, New York's Town Hall, and others. You may visit youtube.com or facebook.com to view clips of me on both sides of the camera. Please search under “REBEL MEDIA” and “NOCHES DEL CAFE”.

My work with inner-city youth continued both in the classroom and outside the classroom with the CHOOSING LIFE THEATER & MEDIA ARTS Program jointly initiated with Sr. James Soler, Executive	Director of the Fiorello LaGuardia Memorial House in East (Spanish) Harlem. Together we we able to gather a team of crafts people, media and performance arts professionals who worked with youth 14 -24 on a project that turned a short story written by Sr Soler into a 2 hour live theater performance that was recorded on video, by the youth and shown on MNN. My job was the day-to-day management of the program, pay-roll, and keeping with the schedule to have a finished produced by year's end.

All this organizing, media activism & literacy efforts has led to the creation of AfterDark CAT-V PROductions a non-profit & tax exempt, multi-media arts organization which provides video production services, Internet and television exposure to many progressive social movements and CBO’s/NGO’s in NYC. AfterDark CATV Productions, Inc. is representative of a growing trend in community-based, not-for-profit organizations raising progressive social consciousness. Its programs, have served as a platform for exposure and promotion for hundreds of efforts addressing social inequities here in the U.S. and abroad. It does so by featuring progressive social movements in the areas of Arts, Community development – culture, Economic parity -education, & Services.

Mission: Our mission is to provide broad exposure and promotion of diverse local arts talent, entrepreneurs and community resources via pre-recorded shows and live events on television and the internet. AfterDark develops programs in conjunction with local television networks and public service organizations worldwide. Programs are disseminated through public access networks and streaming video on the internet, as well as on television networks overseas. We invite you to view our productions here and on TV. Broaden Your Perspective!Bold text

AfterDark CATV PRO produces programs shown on the alternative media of P.E.G. (Public, Education, & Government) Access TV and the Internet. Regarding news, we focus on uncovering quotable sources of independent information and facts. We also provide exposure to independent and learned points of view and opinion. Our productions feature cultural entertainment across all genres of art, from exhibitions, film & video festivals and screenings, to musical and theatrical performances. Galleries, theaters, local businesses, and outdoor festivals are among our locations used as backdrop to our shows. We also assist in preparing youth for future employment through our media literacy workshops conducted in schools and community centers.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS: (1990's) Roots Gang Falcons Sports Club, Four CORNER'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS, &       One SuperBowl. (2002) CHARLES REVSON FELLOW (2001) HISPANIC MAGAZINE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (2001) NYC ASSEMBLYSPEAKER PETER VALLONE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

I hope I've given enough of myself away here to interest you in what I'm doing and have you reach out and network, organize, and accomplish change!