New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The
Music and Youth Development Alliance (MYDA) was launched in 2013. MYDA is a nationwide coalition of community-based organizations providing music programs that engage over 18,000 young people living in low-income areas. The organizations then work with the young people on education, health and life skills so they can fulfill their potential in a safe and positive environment.
MYDA is funded by The ELMA
Music Foundation (whose grantees include
Music Cares, The Jazz Foundation and The Harlem Children's Zone), and supported by Paul Katz, Entertain Impact CEO/Founder, former Jive Records executive, and music consultant for the movie and TV industry (12 Years a Slave, Twilight).
Thousands of young people from underserved communities turn to the six local youth community organizations within MYDA for a myriad of social, academic and health services. These young people are often drawn to these centers for the opportunity to record vocals, produce songs or learn how to DJ. The music programs offered by these organizations "hook" young people into a broad suite of youth development services, which help instill crucial life skills through a language which they love and value and empowers them to reach their full potential in a safe and supportive environment. MYDA was formed to foster a larger community to explore the greater impact that these organizations might achieve together.
You can help make a difference. Your support will allow MYDA to continue to flourish and grow throughout the country. For the latest resources and information on MYDA's collaborative projects, visit its social media channels: Facebook and Twitter. Also see the attached infographic.
Watch the 2014 album release party that was held at the Grammy Museum. It was thrilling for these kids to actually have a finished CD they could be proud of. Projects like this help to keep them striving. Heartfelt thanks go to Just
Blaze and many other musicians and producers for their support. With their help, these kids have a chance to reach their potential both personally and musically. The CD is pure and proud.
" We have programs like this to provide an outlet for those kids who might not have any other shot. "