Founder Chuck D ,Terminator X Andreaus 13 S1W James Norman
Daily News Broadcast Every Day on Channel 18 Cablevision Long Island
History of our Organization
In 1990, the concept of establishing a economic structure that connects the Black community to the growing computer and technology business was ignited by Roosevelt resident and renown rapper, Chuck D and supported by his world famous rap grou
p "Public Enemy”. As an accomplished musician/rapper , known as Andreaus 13, and also an electronic technician, Andre exhibited the initiative, talent and skills to help his hometown become a new player in the telecommunications industry. Therefore, Public Enemy made an initial donation to support Andre in creating a news program on cable that would bring a Black perspective of the news instead of the stereotypical stories of violence and crime as shown by the main stream media of the Black community. Andre and Chuck observed that the mainstream media would not readily come to the Black community for positive activities, only negative. Andre wanted to cover the negative stories accurately and present more positive and uplifting images of Black people living on Long Island. He knew it was important to also show on the news Black cultural events, school programs, highlight residents from the community and introduce topics that would assist in improving the conditions and self-esteem of those victimized by racism, discrimination and disenfranchisement. Consequently, the African American News (AAN) was born. Andre produced the AAN and then founded the African American Media Network (AAMN). Andre worked extremely hard , first, running to cover news stories on his bicycle with only an antiquated camera to gaining community support by holding several small fundraisers that helped him open a small office. Attaining this space allowed him to focus on the importance of acquainting the African American community to the rapidly growing telecommunication industry and to the benefits of knowing advanced telecommunication technology. AAMN grew and became a group of mostly African American Media colleagues who helped regularly produce the African American News on Cablevision, channel 81 and who volunteered to teach others in the community how to produce a TV program, use computers, produce music CD’s and videos, print newspapers and gain knowledge about these various media outlets. Now, the African American News appears everyday of the week on the Long Island Cablevision Network. Achieving this goal helped the African American Media Network gain the support of Town and County leaders to provide funding that would build a larger and more adequate facility for the organization. Finally, in 1999, the Nassau County Community Development Agency approved $223,000 for this project. AAMN invested approximately $100,000 in equipment and opened up the first African American owned and operated telecommunication studio on Long Island. Today, the African American News is recognized as a hard-hitting news show that covers issues significant to the needs and aspirations of the African American community. The African American News show, is considered to be the most watched news show in the Tri-State area whose reporting staff investigates stories that other major news agencies fail to cover. Appearing on African American News have been such notable guests as Rev. Jessie Jackson, County Executive Thomas Gulotta, N.Y. State Comptroller , Carl McCall, Nassau County Legislator, Roger Corbin, Nassau County Comptroller Fred Parola, Congresswoman Caroline McCarthy, Professor Leonard Jeffries, Rev.Al Sharpton, Nassau County Majority Leader, Bruce Blakeman, and Governor Mario Cuomo and many others. Furthermore, the African American Media Network has matured into an essential media broadcaster in Nassau County. This was demonstrated by uncovering how Nassau County Correction officers don tattoos that resembled an African American baby being hanged by the neck. This story generated enormous concern within the African American community. As a result, other stories surfaced causing further inquiry from the FBI, who later sought all background information about this story for their investigation of the alleged killing of inmates at the Nassau County jail. Other significant accomplishments of the African American Media Network include: participation in the United States Justice Department's W**d and Seed Program, providing a crime prevention program for minority youth by training them in advanced telecommunication techniques, creating the first ever W**d & Seed Website and also developing a website for the Roosevelt School District. These accomplishments are examples of AAMN’s comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals and objectives of the organization. The African American Media Network is on the move covering news stories and making positive contributions to the African American TV and multi-media consumer where others just complained. The African American Media Network has accomplished much and will continue to strive to make Long Island a better place to live, especially for low-income people of color communities. Support of the African American Media Network is an opportunity to ignite change in the business and economic development of the Black community
