HISTORY
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Westside Media Project (WMP) is a grassroots, media-arts organization founded and led by an African American male who lives in the community in which he serves. 2024 marks WMP’s 18th year of providing instruction and exposure in media arts/digital storytelling.
Throughout its existence WMP has partnered with area schools, parks, community centers, businesses, and nonprofits to bring digital tools and resources to underserved youth.
Today the organization continues to inspire urban youth to develop skill sets that will allow them to compete in the 21st century economy. It has also worked to expand youth connections abroad with its new Global Partners Project.
With the addition of its virtual programming and college and career awareness initiative, to date WMP has built a community of over 15,000 participants.
OUR MISSION
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Our mission is to expose area residents to networks, opportunities, and pathways to viable career paths. WMP helps participants develop their words and voices to tell their own stories for individual and community transformation.
WMP's work has been made possible by the following funders:
School and Community Partners:
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Catalyst Charter School • Webster Elementary School • Melody STEM Elementary School • Leland Elementary School
• Hefferan Elementary School • Frazier International Magnet School • Beidler Elementary School • Cather Elementary School
• Plato Learning Academy • Cameron Elementary School • Casals Elementary School • Amundsen Park – Chicago Park District​
• The Peace Center • Chicago Commons • Kelly Hall YMCA • Richard Daley Library
• Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture (IPRAC) • Medill School of Journalism • Loyola School of Communications
• Communities in Schools of Chicago • Ingenuity • Chicago NAACP West Side Branch