ABOUT US
In 2005, Richard Jaeggi decided to counteract the terror and violence that followed 9/11 by creating a local "peace army" of young people. Richard knew the youth could become change agents in their community and the world. He also understood the power of media and knew it was the means by which these youth could make a real difference. It was a bold idea, but there was just one problem - Richard didn't have experience creating films.
Still that didn't stop him - he went out and found a local company to donate camera equipment. Then he convinced friends with experience in the media industry to come teach the group how to use it. And with that, Richard's peace army became a reality - the Gandhi Brigade. In 2014, Richard left us far too soon, but his legacy lives on.
Our Vision
We envision young people shaping communities where everyone values and respects one another, and where everyone has opportunities to express themselves using media arts.
Our Mission
Action Youth Media’s mission is to create communities where young people build confidence using media skills to express themselves and to promote community building, multicultural understanding, and the common good. We offer free out-of-school programs for middle and high school students that provide inclusive spaces for youth to discover their interests, develop skills, prepare for their future, and thrive.
Our Values
Young leadership: Making space for youth voices, listening to youth voices, lifting up youth voices, & promoting young leaders.
Community: Coming together, sharing stories, listening to others’ stories, and healing and growing together.
Healthy Earth, Healthy Humans: Reviving and protecting our natural world, urban green space, & healthy lifestyles.
Visual, Performing, and Media Arts: Powering youth to express their experiences and to build empathy.
Social Justice
Valuing and protecting Black lives: ending white supremacy and anti-Black racism in our society’s public and private structures.
Valuing and protecting non-Black and indigenous people of color.
Achieving and protecting Immigrant and refugee rights
Helping families regardless of their legal status.
Ending generations of dehumanizing immigrants and refugees
Achieving and protecting LGBTQ+ rights including access to healthcare
Achieving and protecting women’s rights including women’s access to healthcare.
Achieving and protecting rights of all regardless of physical or mental ability.
Fighting anti-disabled policies.
Acknowledging that we do not know what we do not know. Always learning.