8th Annual BRIC Media Maker Weekend: AI-volution (Day 1)

Keynote Address: Datwon Thomas, Editor-In-Chief, Vibe Magazine
7 - 8:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Ballroom

We are beyond proud to announce that Datwon Thomas, Editor-In-Chief of VIBE Magazine and Vice President of Cultural Media for MRC will be the keynote speaker for BRIC Media Maker Weekend 2023.

As we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, Mr. Thomas's profound expertise and remarkable journey as a voice for the culture will illuminate the vital role hip-hop plays in shaping media today and into the future.

No matter where you stand on your professional path, whether you're an intern or a business owner, Datwon Thomas's story is bound to ignite your spirit. As an immensely accomplished journalist, wordsmith extraordinaire, captivating voiceover artist, discerning editor, trailblazing entrepreneur, and visionary trailblazer, Datwon hasn't just broken barriers but has graciously held the door open for others to follow.

Datwon served as Editor-in-Chief for XXL Magazine, Global Grind, and is the founder of King Magazine and Rides Magazine. His stature as a cultural amplifier is a testament to the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and take bold steps towards their aspirations.

Exploring Augmented Reality
4:30 - 5:30 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio B
In this immersive session, you will delve into the captivating world of augmented reality (AR) and discover how this cutting-edge technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with media. Get hands-on with AR technology as you explore interactive demos and experiment with AR tools and applications.
Speaker: Daniel Kramer

Alternatives To Adobe
4:30 - 6 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | The Media Lab
Learn alternatives to Adobe’s popular four applications: Premiere, Photoshop, After Effects, and Audition
Speaker: Leo Jimenez

Street Photography: Hip-Hop Tour Edition
5 - 6:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Artist Studio + Outdoors
Learn on-the-fly composition techniques + photograph some of the most important hip-hop related landmarks on this extra special, bonus walking tour.
Speaker: Antonio Rosario

Art & Algorithms: Navigating AI's Impact
5:30 - 6:30 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio A
This thought-provoking panel discussion brings together artists, technologists, and cultural leaders to explore the impact AI is having on creators.
Speakers: Amy Andrieux, Executive Director + Chief Curator, The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), Roderick Schrock, Executive Director, Eyebeam

How to Create a Pitch Deck
6 - 7 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | The Media Lab
This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of crafting a persuasive and visually engaging pitch deck that captures attention, tells your story, and conveys your message effectively.
Bonus Pitch Event: Attend Perfect Your Pitch on Thu, Oct 26

Keynote Address: Datwon Thomas, Editor-In-Chief, Vibe Magazine
7 - 8:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Ballroom
Datwon Thomas is the keynote speaker for the 2023 BRIC Media Maker Weekend. The founder of King Magazine and the current Editor-in-Chief of Vibe Magazine will deliver an engaging address as he discusses the ins and outs of hip-hop journalism and entrepreneurship.

Post-Keynote Mixer
8:30 - 9:30 PM, 1st Floor: BRIC Café / The Stoop
Description: After an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote presentation, the excitement doesn't have to end there. Our post-keynote audience mixer offers you the perfect opportunity to unwind, mingle, and engage in stimulating conversations with fellow attendees, speakers, and thought leaders.
DJ Fame

Become a BRIC Media Maker: Orientation
11 AM - 12 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio A
BRIC's community media program has been educating and molding future media moguls since 1990—offering wallet-friendly courses, success-driven workshops, and networking events that assist in furthering TV, film, and podcast dreams. So, if you have dreams of becoming the next Ava Duvernay, Kathryn Bigelow, Dee Rees, Christopher Nolan, Barry Jenkins, or Frederick Wiseman, you've come to the right place. BRIC is the place where media dreamers become media makers— only question is: Will you be next?
Speaker: David Francois

The Power and Purpose of Makeup in Media
12 - 1:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Stoop
Join us for an enlightening and creative journey into the world of makeup artistry and its profound impact on visual storytelling in media.

Further Your Business with AI
12:30 - 2 PM, 1st Floor: The Artist Studio
Join us for a deep dive into the world of AI-driven content creation and discover how it can help businesses elevate their storytelling, engage their audiences, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving digital age.
Speaker: Shena Nicole

AI & Intellectual Property: Handling Copyright Challenges & Protections
1 - 2 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio A
The rapid advancement of AI has ushered in a new era, raising complex questions about intellectual property (IP) and copyright. Experts from the fields of AI, law, and intellectual property lead this talk and explore the intricate landscape of copyright protections in an AI-driven world.
Speaker: Donovan Rodriques

Interviewing For TV & Film
1:30 - 3:30 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | The Media Lab
This class covers preparing for an interview, subject research, choosing engaging questions, avoiding common pitfalls, and the art of using guiding questions to get the best answers during an interview. Also covers audio appropriate for various settings, location scouting, and one/two-camera interviewing techniques.
Speaker: Onel Mulet

Balancing Love, Friendships, & Content Creation
2 - 3 PM, 1st Floor: The Stoop
Explore the challenges and triumphs of balancing love, friendships, dating, and the demands of content creation. Discover valuable strategies from experienced creators who have successfully harmonized their personal lives with their creative pursuits. Gain practical advice on communication, time management, and self-care, equipping you to navigate the delicate balance between nurturing relationships and pursuing your creative passions.

Navigating AI Music Licensing
2:30 - 3:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Artist Studio
Venture into the intricacies of music licensing for content creation, unraveling its conventional layers. This panel juxtaposes the age-old practices with the double-edged sword of AI: its promise in revolutionizing sound curation and potential pitfalls in originality and rights protection. Delve into a balanced dialogue, where tradition meets AI-driven innovation, illuminating both the harmonies and discords awaiting the media landscape.
Speakers: Chelsea Grant and Tanya Lawson, Director of Caribbean & Afrobeats, Audiomack

Film Screening & Talk Back: The Sun Rises in the East
3 - 4:30 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio A
In 1970s Brooklyn, a pan-African collective called The East creates more than a dozen self-sufficient businesses and institutions - essentially building an independent Black nation.” Black Owned Brooklyn hosts the screening, and lead an audience discussion afterwards.
Speakers: Cynthia Giwa & Tayo Giwa

Unlocking the Past, Preserving the Future: A Digital Archiving Workshop
3 - 4 PM, 2nd Floor: BRIC Media Center | TV Studio B
In an era where information is at our fingertips, preserving our history, memories, and invaluable records has never been more crucial. This interactive workshop will empower you with the skills and knowledge to effectively capture, organize, and protect digital content, ensuring it stands the test of time.
Speaker: Martha Diaz, Founder, Hip-Hop Education Center

Small Business & Entrepreneur Mixer
4 - 6 PM, 1st Floor: BRIC Café / The Stoop
As BRIC Media Maker Weekend winds to a close, enjoy a networking mixer where you can meet with fellow entrepreneurs and media makers. 
Speaker: Kenneth Ebie

After Party: '90s Hip-Hop Rewind
6 - 9:30 PM, 1st Floor: The Ballroom
Prepare to be transported to a world of neon lights, graffiti art, and iconic '90s hip-hop anthems. Our after-party pays homage to the era that birthed legends like Tupac, Biggie, TLC, and Missy Elliott. You'll be grooving to classic tracks that defined a generation and paved the way for the hip-hop culture we know today.
DJ: Brian “Raydar” Ellis