Portland Community Media announces its first SmartAccess Partnership
Central Northeast Neighbors joins with PCM to offer broader community access to digital media
Portland Community Media (PCM) and community leaders will celebrate a new digital media partnership on Tuesday, Oct 27 at Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN). PCM has entered into its first SmartAccess agreement with CNN to offer access to training in video production, web technology, social media and digital storytelling.
Portland Community Media was recently awarded a matching capital grant from the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) to launch a fresh, innovative approach to community media services. Over the next three years, PCM plans to partner with six community-based nonprofits to expand digital media opportunities throughout the Portland metro area. The PCM program, called SmartAccess, will reach far more people than ever before, particularly underserved and ethnically-diverse populations residing in every part of the city. Ultimately, SmartAccess will create broader participation by individuals who will produce culturally rich and diverse new programming.
“Our goal is to meet the growing demand for multimedia training, while helping to reduce the digital divide among groups that have had barriers to access,” says Sylvia McDaniel, Chief Executive at Portland Community Media. “With CNN as our new partner, we will be able to serve a wider range of constituents. Ideally, this is what a true partnership should do,” McDaniel added.
Alison Stoll, Executive Director of Central Northeast Neighbors remarks, “We just think it’s a great opportunity for our community groups and neighborhood associations to learn about Facebook and make their own videos to tell their unique stories,” adding that the benefit of taking classes at the neighborhood coalition office will make access to learning even better for most folks. “We think it’s pretty exciting that the training and the equipment will come to us and that people can take workshops with their friends and neighbors is just an added benefit.”
SmartAccess will help Central Northeast Neighbors and community organizations promote their mission, communicate more effectively with more people, share their stories and showcase the diverse communities’ strengths. Training workshops begin in October, beginning with an introductory gathering on Oct 27.
What: Launch of the new SmartAccess™ Center at CNN!
When: Tuesday, Oct 27, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Central Northeast Neighbors, 4415 NE 87th Ave.
Why: Learn about the opportunities for training at the new PCM & CNN SmartAccess Center
Central Northeast Neighbors (CNN): CNN is a community-based non-profit coalition of eight neighborhoods East of NE 33rd to I-205 and North of I-84 to the Columbia River. The CNN Board of Directors is made up of volunteer representatives living and/or working in Beaumont-Wilshire, Cully, Hollywood, Madison South, Rose City Park, Roseway, Sumner, and Sunderland neighborhoods. The coalition acts as a forum to strengthen communities to take action on issues identified by those communities. The coalition supports community-driven activities that contribute to livability, diversity, safety, vitality and sustainability.
Portland Community Media (PCM): DIVERSE. INDEPENDENT. LOCAL… PCM is a public benefit organization dedicated to reducing barriers to digital media opportunities and offering a media platform for alternative and independent points-of-view, news, information and entertainment. PCM has a 12-member volunteer board of directors comprised of leaders from business, community, advocacy, government, political action and legislative backgrounds. For 28 years, PCM has offered education and training in production of local, non-commercial media, for individuals and organizations to use cablecast and other media as a means of communication, civic involvement, artistic and cultural expression. PCM cablecasts locally produced and satellite television programs on six Comcast Cable channels: 11, 21, 22, 23, POP29 (Pulse of Portland) and CityNet30 (local government and public affairs). Viewers can watch both POP29 and CityNet30 on the PCM website at www.pcmtv.org. Some POP29 programs can also be seen on Comcast on Demand.
For more information about SmartAccess, contact Cece Hughley Noel, SmartAccess Administrator at Portland Community Media, (503) 288-1515 ext. 121 or cece@pcmtv.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Portland Community Media
Susan Ward (971) 255-5759
Cece Hughley Noel (503) 288-1515 ext.121
Central Northeast Neighbors
Alison Stroll (503) 823-3156
