The Civic Media Center had a very busy October with its 21st Anniversary on October 18th, an extremely well attended presentation on the 22nd, and three very busy days serving as an acoustic venue for The Fest at the end of the month. All this was overseen by the CMC’s new co-coordinators, Kenzie Cooke and Nailah Summers.
The October 22nd program featured two guest speakers. Dream Defenders co-founder and executive director Phillip Agnew came up from Miami, and Chicago-based poet, activist and educator Malcolm London came down. 130 crammed the CMC for their free-ranging talk, covering many aspects of activism in the 21st century, tools, tactics, and topics needing to be addressed in this age of militarized policing, media-induced fear-mongering, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Thanks to one of the CMC’s intrepid volunteers, the presentations were recorded and made into two 45-minute segment available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saGLyh3j7cU.
As successful a month as the CMC had, the needs for payroll, rent and utilities are high and relentless. Beyond the amazing library, it is a community resource with the shared Courtyard hosting events as well. Time and again we will hear from people whose lives are enriched by their experiences at the CMC. During the Fest, with many folks in from all over the country and world, admiration for what the CMC is doing and the wish they had something like it in their town. So whether you actually use the CMC, or you just feel it is a community asset deserving of support, please consider a year-end donation to this 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. There is Paypal opportunity at www.civicmediacenter.org, or by mail to the CMC at 433 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601.
For those who might want to volunteer, there is a need as the Radical Press Coffee Collective is on hiatus until January, and they were a great help with staffing. Volunteer meetings are on Thursdays at 5:30, or simply get in touch at 352-373-0010 or coordinators@civicmdiacenter.org. Input regarding ideas for events, help with outreach, and the ever-needed fundraising are welcome.