New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Digital Media Academy is proud to announce a partnership with internationally renowned bassist and recording artist Divinity Roxx, as the official role model and spokeswoman for DMA's Made By Girls initiative. Most recognized for her time spent as
Music Director for Beyoncé Knowles and bassist of her all-girl band, Roxx is passionate about encouraging women to explore their creativity through technology.
As Made By Girls spokeswoman and role model, Roxx has declared her song "
We Are" as the MBG program anthem. As she describes, "'We Are' is my declaration to the world that we are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the ones who can positively affect the world." In addition, she will serve as a mentor for several of
Digital Media Academy's course offerings for the summer of 2016, including Wearable Technology & Fashion,
Music & Beat Production, and Filmmaking.
"To think that my story could be inspiring to someone else leaves me without words," said Divinity Roxx of her new role with Made By Girls, in a recent visit to the DMA offices in Los Gatos. "I was once a little girl, sitting in a classroom, learning something that I didn't understand. But if I had been afraid to open my mind, I wouldn't be where I am today." For Roxx, understanding software and embracing technology have been paramount to her success in the recording studio. Having had to teach herself many of the production software programs in order to take control of her artistic voice, she knows firsthand how intimidating it can be to learn new skills. She encourages girls to push through their fear to realize their strength and potential: "Keep going. By opening yourself up to learning, you can unlock something you never knew you were capable of."
For the Made By Girls' Wearable Tech and Fashion Design course, Divinity will serve as an important first client, challenging students to design accessories for her to wear on her European tour this fall. Girls will have the opportunity to design and program custom accessories that flash and light up using LilyPad Arduino, in addition to learning about circuitry, electrical engineering and programming. They will also use modeling software used by real fashion designers from our partner CLO Virtual Fashion, to design and model their own creations in 3D. Wearable Tech & Fashion Design is offered at six locations nationwide including Stanford, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, New York University and Harvard. To learn more about Wearable Tech & Fashion Design, visit https://www.digitalmediaacademy.org/made-by-girls/.
For DMA's co-ed
Music & Beat Production and Filmmaking courses, Divinity Roxx's anthem, "We Are," and the song's official music video will serve as inspiration. She will challenge students to create original works of music and film in response to the song. As a result, students will have the chance to receive credit from her as an official collaborator with promotion of their work on her website and on her tour.
Music & Beat Production and Filmmaking courses are offered at 20 campuses nationwide. For a complete list, visit www.digitalmediaacademy.org.
"By 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs available in computer-related fields but women are projected to fill only 3 percent of them. Lack of role models, negative stereotypes and isolation are significant barriers preventing girls from reaching their full potential. Girls who do not learn tech skills not only miss out on opportunities that are meaningful for their future success, their absence from technological fields limits innovation and breakthroughs that could make a better world," explains Made By Girls Program
Director Peggy Lee. "The Made By Girls program is dedicated to supporting change by providing a safe environment where girls can learn and grow together with the support of strong role models. DMA believes that Divinity Roxx is one such role model whose story encourages girls to be brave, express their creativity and build the world they want to see."
