Music Video Receives Award; Childcare Programs Embrace Curriculum
The A Better Place Project is a call to action. The multi-media project is a global mission-driven initiative that promotes understanding and acceptance through music, film, literature, and education.
This movement began with one word – HOPE, a universally accepted word of optimism, desire for good, and trust in all mankind. It’s easy to say we have hope, but how do we take a feeling and put it into action?
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, along with partnering with musicians, artists, studios, and other Ys around the world did just that.
International artists, including Grammy winners and nominees, YMCAs from seven continents, and global partners and collaborators, have created this multi-media movement to benefit children everywhere.
“A Better Place was created in a time of uncertainty and political unrest,” explained YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley CEO Hank Leo, who spearheaded the project. “Our small Central NY Y decided to create a message of hope, especially through the education of young people, to teach understanding and acceptance of differences in others, to build positivity and promote some love,” he said. “It was a tumultuous time, and we were all still trying to stay connected.”
The project’s fanbase is growing from small schools and afterschool programs to state government and international film festival audiences.
- The much-anticipated video for A Better Place premiered on International Day of Peace and featured the voices of Stockbridge Valley Central School (SVCS) elementary students.
- New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recognized the movement with an honorable citation presented by Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley, who said, “The mission of the Y reminds me of our mission at the Department of State: to bring people together, foster community, and create opportunities where there might not be opportunities.”
- The Alliance of NY State YMCAs recognized the A Better Place project for “its enduring message of healing, connection, and hope.
- A Better Place song and music video, along with the project’s collaborating producers and musicians, were chosen as an Official Selection of the Fall 2024 Los Angeles Movie and Music Video Awards, a part of the Best Film Awards – IMDb Qualifying Film Festival. In selecting projects to celebrate, The IMBd Qualifying Film Festival jurors state they are “particularly interested in projects that celebrate diversity and offer unique storytelling, innovative visual styles, and compelling narratives” while showcasing “unique perspectives and push the boundaries of artistic expression.”
The Multi-Media A Better Place Movement : www.abetterplaceproject.org
- Original Songs featuring national recording artists Liberty Devitto, Melba Moore, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Watoto Children’s Choir (Uganda), Holmlia Tween Sing (Norway), Gloria Umanah (Atlanta, GA), Mitchell Player (New Orleans), Hope Music Foundation (Uganda) and a host of Central NY-based artists including Zainep Abdelaal, Matt Beadle, Justin Smithson, Jessica Talbott, Justin Smithson and others is now available for download at www.playitforward.com.
The song was recorded and mixed by Big Blue North Studios in Utica, New York, with additional mixing by 7-time Platinum and 2-time Grammy Nominee Jason Brown of Atlanta and mastered by Adrian Carr.
- Delta Blues national recording artist Robert Kimbrough Sr. has brought one of the books, “Better World Blues” to life as a new, original song.
- 3rd song: “Better Place”, with the instrumentals recorded by Yonkers YMCA collaborators and Christian National Recording Artist Gabriel Day for the A Better Place Project.
- Film Documentary produced by Rick E. Lewis, shares a behind-the-scenes impact of the original song, original books, and global curriculum which will be distributed worldwide. Participants include Bishop Michael Curry; the East Jerusalem YMCA; Ukraine YMCA; Sioux YMCA; Bradenton, FL YMCA; Philippines’ Makati YMCA; LACA YMCAs of Latin and South America; Australia YMCA; Auburn, NY YMCA; East Bronx YMCA; Mississippi blues artists Eden Brent and Robert Kimbrough Sr.; Indiana’s Voices of Unity; NYS School for the Deaf; The Refugee Center, Utica, NY; Interfaith Works, Syracuse, NY); and several more.
- Three Age-Appropriate Children’s Books written by YMCA CEO and author Hank Leo and illustrated by US Illustrations, (Karine Makartichan, Armenia) designed for education and discussion purposes in schools and after-school programs. The books are available through Amazon; www.Amazon.com (search A Better Place, Hank Leo). In addition, former Disney animator and Kendu Films Founder Davy Liu has created an original iconic piece of art for the book, “The Boy & The Tree.”
- Corresponding Curriculum, developed by a team of educators, led by Dan Eddy from Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica, New York), to correspond with the book themes provides educational resources for grades K through 12 to help children understand and accept differences of others. It is available as a free download at www.abetterplaceproject.org.
Rob Totaro, Director of Member Advancement of New York State Alliance of YMCAs, Inc. is instrumental in building the “A Better Place” website, www.abetterplaceproject.org, with links to all project collaborators.
It is Leo’s hope that the project will continue to cultivate relationships globally with other Ys and creative partners.
“It is designed to be a mission project, one that helps drive home the Y’s Christian mission and message – to help all build a healthy spirit, mind and body – encompassing inclusivity, our Christian heritage and accessibility, but also provides hands-on activities for kids around the world to learn and understand each other,” Leo continued. “I was amazed that even during the wars in Ukraine and the bombing attacks in Jerusalem, our YMCA colleagues took the opportunity to join in on the effort and participate. We all need a little hope and faith that things will get better.” At least one YMCA from each of the world’s seven continents is a part of the video project. “As the project got rolling, and gaining steam, I wanted to connect people from various corners of the world to let us know what a better world looked like through their eyes,” he added.
