All posts by Irwin Mburu, Correspondent

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Nakia Richardson meets virtually with NECC students

 

Nakia Richardson recently did a virtual zoom meet on Thursday April 14, with the principles of public relations class, along with other students and staff who also attended in the Center for Liberal Arts.

The virtual visit was similar to Genesis Garcia’s virtual Zoom visit which occurred a couple weeks ago, also taking place at the Center of Liberal Arts.

Nakia Richardson is an on air-host, entertainment journalist, TV producer, content creator, and more.

She’s previously worked with BET and MTV, and has hosted during red carpet events on TV.

Richardson’s visit at NECC is due to her relationship with her former professor and current professor at NECC Kimberley Lyng.

Richardson graduated from Pine Manor College in 2007, where she had a class with professor Lyng.

Richardson originally just wanted to be a television host and an actor during her time in college. When she was out of college that was her plan, but it wasn’t that simple. She got connected to a job by one of her friends, but the company asked her to be a production assistant.

“They asked me to be a production assistant, and I didn’t even know what that was,” Richardson said. “I didn’t want to be behind the scenes at first and just wanted to be in front of the camera.”

She still agreed to the job and worked behind the scenes, which gained her experience and helped for her career.

She was also able to network with companies like Viacom, BET, and MTV while working behind the scenes. Even though at first behind the scenes didn’t interest her, she agreed due to the experience and help it could provide for her, and ultimately it paid off.

Richardson now encourages people to take any job that you may get offered in your field with the amount of benefits it can provide.

“It’s good to be behind the scenes and know all of the things for more opportunities. You may love it. Feel it out, and if you don’t like it then you can just leave, but you never know until you try.”

Richardson also encourages people who want to do multiple jobs to pursue them. “It’s OK to want to do 50 different jobs when you’re young. It’s a great problem to have,” Richardson said. “I wish someone told me that when I was young. And people in your industry will ask you and want you to do multiple jobs, even if you’re only applying for one.”

After giving the students her back story and how she gained the success she has, she then fielded questions from multiple students and talked with them. Some interested in the television and hosting aspects, while others were interested in the behind the scenes and journalistic aspects.

Richardson likes to do her own thing and stand out from the crowd. She is one of the first women to wear braids on the red carpet on TV, something that before she did was not really seen. While it shocked some, it encouraged many to be comfortable in their own skin like Richardson is, and more and more women rocked braids on the red carpet due to Richardson’s influence.

Again another influential and successful person made an impactful visit to NECC, and provided valuable words for those in the communications and PR field.

The visits allow for students to learn more and possibly network and work with these successful people

Arts and Entertainment

Students embrace African dance

 

On March 2nd, 2023 professional dancers Mcebisi and Amy from the Izizwe Dance Studio held an African dance workshop from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Student lobby.

Students learned multiple dances taught by Mcebisi for some fun and exercise, while also getting a closer look at what is important in African culture.

Izizwe Dance Studio is a dance school in Lawrence which teaches all types of dances to all ages. From African dance to hip-hop to jazz to ballet and more, they offer a variety of dances to those who are interested in learning.

Students started off the workshop with slower dances that were performed while dancing in place. This eased them into the workshop as they were the easiest dances of the day

Then Mcebisi picked up the intensity, along with the difficulty of the dances. Students then were taught and performed faster dances that required them to move forward while dancing, which really made everyone break a sweat.

The main instructor who led and taught all the dances was Mcebisi, a man who was originally born and raised in South Africa.
African dance has played a big role for him much of his life. He believes that it is not only significant to African culture, but also important for people of other cultures to learn about as well.

This is an African Workshop, I’m sharing culture, I’m sharing with them. It’s also therapeutic to a lot of other people and I think everybody should have access to things like this.” Mcebisi on their motivation to hold the workshop.

Along with an increase in intensity and complexity of the dances came a change in music. At first the music that was danced to was African music being played off of a phone but nearing the end Mcebisi changed up the music by playing it off of his own djembe.

A djembe is an African drum that’s shaped like a goblet and is used in much of African music.

The finale to the hour of African dances was one long and challenging dance by the group of students which involved combining the dance moves they learned into one big dance performance.

It took some practice and repetition to get it down considering the length of the performance along with them already being tired out. But the students were able to perform it well while Mcebisi was performing a beautiful beat in the background with his djembe.

The African dance workshop was a success and was well received by the students who attended.
Danielle, a student currently at NECC who attended the workshop, had nothing but positive things to say about the event.

“I enjoyed it a lot. It’s very powerful and energetic so I really enjoyed it. I had ballet classes and dance classes before, so this was an amazing mix of timing and exercise” Danielle said when asked to rate the workshop.

When asked about what her favorite dance of the workshop was, Danielle replied “The last part when we could combine all the parts that we learned.”

Jasmine Mateo, another NECC student and attendee of the event, says she was recommended by a friend to attend the event.

“A friend referred me, so I came, and I ended up having a really good time today.” said Mateo

Through all the excitement and enjoyment that African dance can give to people , whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie to the dance, Mcebisi doesn’t want the importance of African dance to African people’s culture to get lost.

“As much as you see it as a dance, this is a form of healing for a lot of people. This is used in many many forms, it’s a language itself. And with access to it and the love of it, you get to see all of those things.”

 

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Alumni speaker shares her journey

 

Genesis Garcia, a Journalism/Communication graduate of NECC, recently made a guest Zoom appearance at NECC on March 23.

During the one hour appearance, hosted by the Center for Liberal Arts, she shared her journey from NECC all the way into the music industry. She also gave the audience tips on how to excel in her field as many in attendance are also in the communications field like her, as well as motivation and inspiration to reach their goals. In her journey she first got a job at Def Jam Records. She now works as a publicist for RCA Records and has helped and knows many artists, publicists, and writers in the music industry.

Garcia was a student during the early 2010s here at NECC, where she got her associate’s degree in communications.
She mentioned the massive amount of help that her professors and the staff at NECC helped her greatly and supported her on her journey. Without them, she may not be where she is today.

After explaining what NECC had done for her in her career, she went in depth on how life was for her before landing her first job, and how she ended up landing it.

Landing the job at Def Jam Records took a lot of perseverance and hard work that many people may not have had in her situation.

Garcia detailed how she regularly drove from Massachusetts down to New York and back so she could interview with these major music companies.

When she saw an opening, she made the trip down. She interviewed with RCA, Epic Records, Warner, Columbia Records, and more. So many companies, but yet she got rejected from the jobs every single time.

“I drove from MA to NY to do interviews and I constantly got denied. Rejection from interviews was my best friend at that point.”

Things were looking bleak for Garcia and she described how she was losing hope. Then she decided she’d drive down to New York one more time for an interview with a record company, and if she got rejected, she’d stop. The rejection was starting to get to her.

After the interview she had a lot of confidence, she believed she had killed the interview and certainly could secure the job.
But on her way home disaster struck for her. She got stuck in a snowstorm which she said turned out to mean “10 hours long stuck in highway traffic”.

“It felt like God was trying to tell me something, that this career just might not be for you.” Garcia said. And just a few days after the disastrous ride home, she got notified that she was once again rejected from the job.

She took a long break after that debacle, but months after she saw an opening at Def Jam records. Even with those past shortcomings she decided once again to interview and try to get the job. She worked as hard as she possibly could, she was determined to land her dream job as a publicist in the industry.

Her change in heart worked, and she secured the job at Def Jam Records. It took her a lot of trial and error and perseverance but ultimately she pushed through.

It was a huge relief to her and finally she could live her dream.

She worked for Def Jam for a while and now works for RCA records as a publicist. After detailing her crazy journey of how she reached her point, she showed the students some of the work she’s helped make and the process of creating it. She showed the students the process of creating a Grammy campaign as she helped create one for R&B singer Steve Lacy. The campaign included feature articles, magazine covers, having a number #1 song “Bad Habits” and more which all led to him winning a Grammy for Best Progressive R&B album.

After that, students took turns asking her questions about her career and tips to pursue their own path in the industry, as well as give answers for an assignment she gave them. The assignment included doing research on an artist of their choice and acting as a publicist for that artist.
Garcia left students with an inspiring story as well as some words of wisdom and tidbits that they can use to pursue their career.

Her life was an up and down path to get where she is and she knows some would have lost motivation if they were in her position.

“A lot of our lives do not look like a straight line, it’ll usually be a roller coaster for most of us,” she said.
Even so, she wants no one to quit. She wants everyone to give it their best and stresses the power of persistence, belief in yourself, and having a support system as well.

“The power of persistence, the power of seeing what you want to be and seeing your career, it will happen,” she said.

“It might not look the way you visualize it in your head, for some people you will have to work and work. The power of networking and building connections with others in your field helps greatly. You will build each other up”

 

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Amnesty International Club and Students for a Democratic Society Club recently came together and are planning a presentation centered around NECC students and their immigration backgrounds.

Whether the students themselves are immigrants or their parents or grandparents are immigrants, anyone with some sort of immigration background will be allowed to make a submission to the project.

Students are allowed to submit their stories to Professor Stephen Slaner (sslaner@necc.mass.edu) and in the submission it should include a picture of whoever the immigrants are in their family along with a short story on their background. The story should be 200 words or less and submitted by March 10. Submissions for the project initially began on February 5.

Those stories and pictures may be featured on a mosaic with all other students sharing their stories and their background with the school.

Immigration is an important part of our country and community to highlight, as on average 16% of NECC students per year are either foreign students, permanent residents (green card holders), or are undocumented students

Slaner, who’s the adviser for the SDS club said this project encourages as many students as possible to submit to the project by the deadline to spread as many stories as possible.

“We’re just getting started, so we haven’t received many submissions yet… but we’re hoping to receive a lot more,” Slaner said.

Most if not all of us come from people who were originally immigrants in our bloodline, even those whose grandparents or great-grandparents were already residing in the U.S, if you trace back far enough you will most likely find some people in your family tree who were originally immigrants.

Professor Slaner reiterates and expands upon some of these points with the overall goal of this project, as the clubs want to help educate everyone in the NECC community about immigration.

“The goal of the project is for students to crystallize their awareness of where they and their family came from… we all came from somewhere, and the message we want to send to the community is that black, brown, and white families ‘may have come here in different ships, but we’re all in the same boat now.’”

Justin, a student who plans on submitting, says he wants to get his family’s story out there and thinks it’s important to learn about everyone’s unique background

“We all come from different backgrounds and stories,” Justin said. “I’m proud of my family’s background and heritage, and I want to make sure to spread it as much as possible. I think it’s extremely interesting where we all come from and it can actually bring all of us together”

When asked about the impact this project may have, Professor Slaner hopes this project will “promote diversity and mutual understanding among all our students.”

“We must try to counter what has been called “the narcissism of small differences” and concentrate on what we have in common. “

Immigration is what has rooted and built what the U.S. is and represents in our current time.
Getting everyone’s story and background out there with projects like these can help people educate and learn more about each other, as well as bring communities closer together.

To submit your story:

Send your story – 200 words or less – to 00240408@student.necc.edu with a picture, if possible, and you can be part of a mosaic of NECC students sharing their experience with the NECC community.
This project is brought to you by Amnesty International and SDS, which meet together every Wednesday at 12:30 PM. Meeting ID is: 833 1720 4322. Passcode is 962024.

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Here comes the snow

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As December rolls on and winter comes, the weather is something that plays a huge factor, especially in the freezing Massachusetts.

The cold weather along with the good chance of snow plays a big role in everyone’s lives, with navigation and work possibly being the most affected.

And while some may love the snowy and cold weather, others may not take a liking to it as much.

Arianna Stevens, an economics major, thinks the snow and the cold has been a burden for a while.

“The snow can be bothersome. It covers the roads and makes it a lot tougher to go to work, go shopping, and run other errands. It overall becomes a nuisance for many,” Stevens said. “ I don’t really mind the cold. You can just bundle up for the cold pretty easily, and I do not work outside either. But when it snows it’s a whole nother story”

When asked about  moving to another state Stevens said “I would definitely consider it as I get older. Massachusetts has provided a lot of good things. But warmer weather and less snow is something I think many people would rather opt for.”

 In the week of Dec. 13 to Dec. 20, there is expected to be some snow at the start of the week. But during midweek, around Wednesday to Thursday,  a nor’easter is expected to hit Massachusetts, with a possibility of up to a foot of snow expected. This could cause problems for many with work, school, or everyday errands.”

But there are many who do also enjoy the snow as well. Nicholas Anderson, an exercise science major, does not really mind the snow at all

“ Snow is fine to me honestly. It’s something that does not happen too often, and a lot of other states do not really experience it as much either. I don’t mind appreciating it,” Anderson said. “ I know it causes some problems sometimes, but I still appreciate it. Enjoy it for the couple months it’s present.”

Eddie Cohen, an economics major, sees the pros and cons of the snow, and understands both sides. “I think when we were all in school from preschool to senior year of high school, we all sort of rooted for the snow to come. Many because of the snow days, and some just enjoyed the snow as well,” Cohen said. “But as we get older and have responsibilities, I think snow becomes more of a burden, with getting to work, cleaning your car, clearing out roads, flights and other things.”

As the snow starts to approach and the cold weather increases, weather becomes much more of a factor now then in the other three seasons. It brings mixed reviews all around as it’ll help some but hurt others.

“Unfortunately when you’re an adult, those snow days pretty much vanish when you have more responsibilities and bills to pay,” Cohen said.

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Students weigh in on presidential transition

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2020 has been a year full of unusual and important events, and the presidential election has been one of the many major events.

Joe Biden was victorious, but Donald Trump insists that the election was rigged and that he was the true winner, and tried filing for election fraud. Trump and his team are seemingly starting to concede the election and are officially starting the transition process, although still fighting the election behind closed doors as well.

Some people had differing viewpoints on him finally starting the transition.

Jonathan Jacobs,  a business major, says “it’s about time” that Trump starts the transition process and moves on. He said he’s happy that Biden and Harris won the election and thinks Trump should’ve started this transition earlier than he did.

Jacobs has some things to say when asked how he felt about the whole election process this year in general. “It’s understandable it took longer this year with the mail in votes, but some things felt mishandled” he stated “Some states like Nevada seemed like they took forever, while others were out the night of the election. And Trump trying to claim victory before the night was even over, knowing it would take longer, was just irresponsible.”

Jon Wade, a theatre major, says he understands Trump delaying the transition and trying to fight back, but also believes Trump somewhat brought it on himself with the election problems.

“It’s been a weird year so the election process is different. And I think it’s well documented many people really did not want Trump back in office again, so he’s not crazy to think fraud might’ve happened.” Wade stated. “ But he told all his voters to vote in person, and then tried to ‘stop the count’ when all the mail-in votes were received, pretty much implying the votes were BS. It’s clear to see what Trump was trying to pull, and it didn’t work.”

Maya Jensen, 19 and a Methuen resident, says she’s surprised that Trump is starting to concede the election and is willing to start the transition now.

“I’m surprised. I honestly thought he would fight longer and wait longer than he did. I know technically he’s still fighting, but it seems he’s almost giving up with starting the process.”

She stated. “I’m just glad this election process is seemingly coming to an end. It’s probably the most hectic election yet in the most hectic year.

This 2020 election overall has been very odd in one of the most stressful years in maybe humanity’s existence, and managed to separate the U.S. into two rivaling sides. With it being one of the most controversial elections ever, recounts were bound to happen no matter who lost.

Donald Trump’s team has started the  transition and Joe Biden will be the next  president of the U.S.

Some people are excited for the change, while others are unhappy. But everyone can agree that they just want the world to be in a great state no matter who’s in office.

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Residents share thoughts on governor’s recent COVID regulations

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The state of Massachusetts has been hit hard with the Covid virus, so there’s no surprise some new regulations have been put in place.

Recently on November 6th, Gov. Charlie Baker put in new regulations where everyone over the age of 5 has to wear a mask in all public places, with those having medical conditions or disabilities being exempt from the rule. Baker also put in a rule stating  all residents have to be at their homes from 10pm to 5am, unless someone is at work, running important errands, or taking a walk.

Public gatherings have also been limited to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors, those who do not follow are subjected to being fined.

These regulations have brought some mixed reviews from the general public. Some are fine with it, while others not so much.

“It has no effect on me,” said Gabriel DeJesus, NECC student. “With Covid and stuff, there’s not much to do anyways, and it will  make things safer with the mask regulation.”

“The limit on public gatherings might also help with the recent spike of cases in Massachusetts, but we’ll see how much it will truly help” said deJesus, who does have his doubts about the gathering law.

Others though do not agree with the curfew law and have their questions about it. CJ Leblanc was one of those people.

“ I will still follow the mask laws and curfew regulations the best I can, but I don’t get the curfew order.” Leblanc said.

“Covid is not some sort of nocturnal disease, it doesn’t only come out at night, you’re just as much at risk at day time as you are at night time,” Leblanc said.

Some people will be fine with these regulations, while others do have their questions.

The public will just have to wait and see whether or not the spike in cases in Massachusetts will decrease with Baker’s new regulations, or if it will have no effect.

 

 

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Students weigh in on learning in today’s world

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The pandemic has brought upon us some new regimes, and the effects on school learning and how students’ classes are done is one of the biggest ones

With the whole “social distancing” that has been implemented in our lives to stop the spread of the pandemic, there have been many different ways schools have implemented their classes and how they teach.

There have been different types of virtual learning, some requiring zoom classes while others not requiring any zoom meets at all,  and some who still have in-person classes being held. The different types of learning have brought some mixed reviews from different students

John Kaidbey, an NECC student, has had no zoom meetings at all and all work has been done virtually with modules. “It’s been a lot more convenient doing classes this way,” Kaidbey said. “ I don’t have to wake up early for zoom classes or attend any, and I can pace myself each week with my work. I wouldn’t mind doing this again next semester.”

NECC is one of the few that have done virtual learning with no zoom classes. And while it’s different, you can see why students like Kaidbey would prefer to learn this way with no meetings and work you can do at your own pace.

But there are other schools that do not do the same.

Dan Berberian, a Umass Lowell student, has had to do virtual meetings and zoom classes, which he’s had a disliking for. “Having to sit in your house doing multiple virtual classes for multiple classes has not been enjoyable. It’s put me and others to sleep,” Berberian said. “The teachers also look uninspired doing it, and a couple students just skip.”

“Tests are also weird as well. Doing them with the camera on and the teacher just sitting there watching you, I don’t think anyone likes that,” he said.

Berberian also mentioned that he’d prefer to do classes in person or doing school with no zoom classes and assignments online, the same method that Kaidbey has been taking.

While many are doing virtual learning, there are also some who are doing in-person classes, even with the pandemic.

Sam Yanowitz, an Andover High School senior, has been one who’s had to do these in-person classes.

“Though we’re in person, it’s certainly been a change from my first three years,” Yanowitz said. “The school is  separated into two cohorts as they call it, so we don’t go to school everyday. And at school many classes are held outside as well as inside as a way to distance, which is also something new.”

Yanowitz also mentions  that many students do wear masks at the school. He’s also not sure how outside classes will go when it becomes extremely cold.

“This is Massachusetts, not Florida, no one is going to want to do school outside when it’s freezing cold.”

Many high schools have had to adjust to new ways to do in-person classes, along with some colleges as well.

The many types of learning during the pandemic have brought some mixed reviews, and it’s been an odd time for everyone.

News

COVID and its effects on jobs

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During the pandemic, Covid-19 has not only affected in person activities for school, but has also had its effect on jobs as well.

Many businesses have had their share  of shutdowns and closures during the pandemic, causing workers to have had months with no employment. Massachusetts has been one of the hardest hit, with some still being left with no job. There have still been some businesses that are still feeling the effects of the pandemic and haven’t had a startup yet.

“We’re not sure when we’re going to open back up,” says Andover resident David Kailton, who currently works at Boston’s Improv Asylum. “It’s been closed since everything shut down in March, and I’ve had no work. But We’ve had some virtual meetings and things are looking up for a reopening soon, ” Kailton said.

Boston has been one of the unluckiest cities, with many places still shutdown to this date. Businesses being shut down have left employees out dry, and some have even had to search for work elsewhere.  But luckily for workers in other places, this has not been the case. Some workers have been able to also receive unemployment to aid them while they were out of work.

Justin Mburu, an electrical engineer and NECC student, has been able to work a few months now after being out of work due to the pandemic. “The unemployment checks were very helpful for paying things off” Mburu said. “Now with work being back, I’m able to earn my hours for engineering. We were out for a few months which set me back a bit, but now I’m back on track.”

Mburu is also juggling work with his engineering class, which the pandemic has caused the class to be fully virtual. Mburu says the virtual classes have their perks but also have some disadvantages as well.

CJ Leblanc, a current worker on the Massachusetts railroads for the company Keolis, had a similar story. Although being hired three months before, Leblanc stated that he  “had to wait until  Aug. 17th to start work” due to the Covid pandemic.

“ I was ecstatic to start work since I really needed the money like everyone did. But with everything that’s been going on with Covid, a lot was shut down, and I had to patiently wait to start my job” CJ stated.

Covid still has left a huge sting on some businesses and has caused some  employees to still be left unemployed all of these months. Things have looked bleak for some and may not know how long the wait will be. But for others, those effects have subsided. With a few regulations, things are mostly back to normal life for them.

“ Everything since my first day has gone smoothly at work” CJ contentedly said. “Hopefully the pandemic doesn’t interfere too heavily with our jobs again.”