Foundations for Success

Client: Bronx Letters Foundation

About the Project

This was our fourth project with Bronx Letters (gallery of previous videos embedded below).

This video took a new focus: Since the video would be shown at the school’s annual fundraising gala, we decided to draw a direct connection between viewers’ donations and the programs and opportunities they support. So many of Bronx Letters programs wouldn’t be possible without these fundraising dollars—everything from the artist-in-residence program to varsity basketball and college visits -- we felt it was important to highlight the work of the Bronx Letters Foundation and give viewers a glimpse of the myriad ways they support the school.

Bronx Letters

The Bronx Academy of Letters (BAL) is a middle and high school located in the South Bronx, New York. A self-described “community school,” when you ask students how they would define it, the same word comes up again and again — “home.”

Bronx Letters has created a uniquely supportive environment for students who often face great challenges outside the school walls. BAL is located in the heart of the “poorest congressional district in the country” (a true, but reductive, common trope that both students and faculty both smart at), which means resources are scarce even though needs are immense. To address this, the school was founded on a unique model: In addition to standard (insufficient) support from the school system, BAL has a non-profit arm — The Bronx Letters Foundation -- that raises funds to provide the unique programming and experiences that help BAL students succeed.

Our relationship with Bronx Letters has been a special collaboration. Through years of working together, we have had the opportunity to see middle schoolers become college students, shy high school freshmen become mentors and performers as seniors. Each new project we have embarked on has highlighted a different aspect of this unique school, and we can’t wait to dive into the next one.

Return to Portfolio

Previous Collaborations

Elevating Student Voices

A special collaboration between Root Media, BAL’s writer-in-residence and students to create a student-written, group poem about life in the South Bronx, N.Y.

Project Page

College Bound

Led by their tenacious college counselor, Kevin Brooks, the Bronx Academy of Letters places special emphasis on preparing students for college beginning when they enter the school in sixth grade.

Project Page

Bronx Academy of Letters

Located in the heart of the South Bronx, N.Y. the Bronx Academy of Lettes is more than just a public school.

Project Page

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