MISSION
AfterDark promotes the values of a free and open society, global cooperation and economic justice. It presents diverse cultures to the public by producing programming that engages, educates and activates citizens to become involved. connecting viewers with people at the heart of breaking events. Its mission is to provide broad exposure and promotion of diverse local arts talent, entrepreneurs and community resources via pre-recorded shows and live events on television and the internet. It promotes organizations in the forefront of social change and the cultures of an increasingly global community.
HISTORY
AfterDark CATV Productions was founded n 1987 by former educator Felix Leo Campos when he was general manager at radio station WHLC-AM, Lehman College. His association with Sound on Street, a business organization for DJ’s, made him aware of the need for vehicles to promote independent recording artists, as well as record labels and pools. The first program developed, AfterDark, featured top-10 DJ countdowns, interviews with independent recording artists, DJ’s and a variety of community-based organizations and activists and aired on Channel J, a leased access station on Paragon Cable in Manhattan that later became Channel 23. In response to the growing need for resources, AfterDark CATV Productions was incorporated as a non-profit, 501-(c)(3) organization in 1994. With a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs, the services of the organization expanded to include media literacy and arts-related job training for youth.
In 2002, AfterDark Productions was honored with the invitation of Mr. Campos into the Charles Revson Fellowship at Columbia University, an acknowledgment that Public Access Television was becoming more accepted as a viable medium. The Fellowship program, which advances civic leadership in NYC by engaging mid-career urban leaders in an intensive 9-month course of study, research and reflection, provided access to a new level of resources, as well as needed funding. AfterDark continued looking for opportunities to expand its services and media offerings.
In addition to TV shows, by 2005 it started producing documentaries, such as the bilingual “En el Vientre del Monstruo” (In the Belly of the Beast). This hour-long video about the PetroBRONX Collective chronicles the initiation and development of the reciprocal relationship between community organizers in the South Bronx and their counterparts in Venezuela. It features the visit of President Hugo Chávez Frías to the South Bronx in 2005, the meetings between the Collective and the diplomatic leaders of Venezuela and the involvement of CITGO Petroleum Corporation. Looking to develop programming that was more information/news-driven, in 2006 AfterDark created REBEL MEDIA, a TV magazine on news, current events and culture that presents viewpoints seldom covered in U.S. media.
AFTERDARK TODAY
AfterDark CATV Production continues its aim to provide media vehicles in which to feature local talent and resources that have limited ways to promote themselves. Unsatisfied with the coverage by mainstream media regarding arts, culture, economic development and social issues, AfterDark sees its role as providing alternative perspectives and a broader base of knowledge.
Over the years AfterDark has telecast its programs to over 1 million households in New York City on various cable access stations. Productions are bi-lingual (Spanish & English) to extend our audience reach. Our network of production technicians and artists has a combined total of over 75 years of commercial and professional experience in television, video, film and live theater.
Fostering Collaboration. AfterDark fosters collaboration and coalition building with partner organizations and grassroots organizing around specific issue programs.
Giving Voice to People Without a Voice. For communities under-represented in conventional media and unknown to most Americans, AfterDark will continue to develop programs that connect viewers not only to the “movers and shakers” but also to the “moved and shaken,” the people affected by the news. AfterDark exposes its viewers to people they would never meet, to cultures they might never understand and to issues they have yet to consider.
Our programs speak to such issues as social justice, public education, policy, grassroots advocacy, media literacy, civic pride and engagement, youth, sex, substance abuse, violence, education, love and life in America. In the ever-changing social media landscape, AfterDark utilizes digital media distribution – via cell phones and mobile devices, Facebook and MySpace – to create greater awareness of our nation’s important social issues and needs.
In addition to creating community programming, AfterDark works with corporations, nonprofit and government agencies to build social and cause marketing campaigns through a wide-range of media and video production options including:
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
- Short and feature-length documentaries
- Local television programming
- Internet streaming video
In addition to current offerings, AfterDark continues to broaden its scope with the inclusion of NOCHES DEL CAFÉ.
We’d like to hear from you. Send us your comments, suggestions or questions. Join our Mailing List.
Email: info@afterdarkcatv.org
Executive Director
Felix Leo Campos
646.546.1901
campos@afterdarkcatv.org
GABRIELLE DAVID
INTERCULTURAL ALLIANCE OF ARTISTS & SCHOLARS
Gabrielle David’s professional experience derives from her involvement in a broad and varied range of challenges: non-profit board work, fundraising and cultural programming; desktop publishing, layout and web design; word processing, software training and technical support; advertising and publicity; paralegal support, managing and supervising departments; business and journalistic writing, including prose, poetry and essays. Her real world experience, common sense, leadership, creativity, organizational skills, and business and technical expertise are some of the assets she can bring to bear in any new and challenging position.
Gabrielle has published several essays regarding multicultural literature and published the poetry collections: this is me, a collection of poems & things (CCI Books, 1994); and spring has returned & i am renewed (CCI Books, 1995). Her works have appeared in Paterson Literary Review, Journal of New Jersey Poets, AIM Magazine, and phati’tude Literary Magazine. Related writing experience includes: editor of the high school newspaper, contributing writer to the college newspaper and literary journal; contributing writer to Scholastically Speaking; high school internship at Essence Magazine; public relations manager for local artists and bands in New York City; and Advertising Account executive at major advertising agencies in New York City.
FELIX LEO CAMPOS 
AfterDark CATV PROductions, Inc
Felix Leo Campos is a graduate of Hebert H. Lehman College. He has Bachelor of Arts Degrees, Puerto Rican Studies and English: Professional Studies, as well as Master Degree course work from Hunter College and CCNY in both Anthropology and Bilingual Special Education.
NYC Assembly Speaker Peter Vallone has recognized Felix Leo Campos’ leadership this year, 2001, as then President of Image/Imagen de Nueva York. He is also the recipient of Hispanic Magazine’s “Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year 2001” Award and studied, for one year, at Columbia University as a Charles Revson Fellow in 2002.
His leadership & community organizing, media activism & literacy efforts created and establish Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). His own non-profit media organization, AfterDark CAT-V PROductions, Inc provides video production services, Internet and television exposure to the progressive social movements, local entrepreneurs, grass root organizers and organizations in NYC. Its programming concept is anchored in providing as a platform for exposure and performance to networks of social action in the Arts – advocacy, Community development – culture, Economic parity -education, & Services – social consciousness, the A.C.E.S.
His television screen credits include PBS’s “SIGNAL TO NOISE”, A& E ‘s “AMERICAN JUSTICE”, and various B.E.T. studio productions including “106 & PARK”. On stage, Felix Leo has credits in TaTo Laviera’s “The King of Cans”, LaTea Theater’s “Rememberin’ Rei”, among others. AfterDark CATV PRO’s current documentary projects include a look at parenthood from the perspective of men (“MEN ARE PARENTS, TOO!”) and a personal odyssey of discovery and family bonds yet to be named.
VERONICA CAICEDO/ CAICEDO PRODUCTIONS
Veronica Caicedo, is The CEO, founder and “heart and soul” of Caicedo Productions, Ms. Caicedo is an innovative, director, producer and writer who has overseen more than 25 successful theatrical productions. Drawing upon her urban cultural experiences and extensive creativity, Ms. Caicedo has used her unique vision to produce and/or direct such projects and plays as “They Call Me LA LUPE” (Starring Lauren Velez of “Dexter”), Patrick Marber’s Closer, The ONE Festival, Indiosyncrasy, Mastering Sex And Tortillas and Faded, among others. Ms. Caicedo has served as Theater Director for Project Reach Youth, Teatro El Puente and The Loisaida Players at Loisaida Inc., where she was a safe-sex educator.
Currently, she is part time Managing Theater Director for Teatro LATEA at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center. Ms. Caicedo was filmmaker selected official for the 2008 SOL Dance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Hostos Community College and LaGuardia Community College featured Ms. Caicedo short films “Little Courage” and “Loss Of Innocence In Loisaida”, honored in 2007 by the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Inc. for Puerto Rican Heritage Month, 2003 by the Latino College Expo for her work with youth in theater/film education, and in 2002 she was honored by the Department Of Justice-Federal Bureau of Investigation for Hispanic Heritage Month. She has served as a guest panelist for such organizations as HBO, Latinos for Positive Images, Urban Magazine, Boys Club of New York, Association of Hispanic Arts (AHA) and Teatro Stage Fest 07 (Latinas at the Helm).
Though theatre has been the mainstay of her career, Ms. Caicedo also has extensive film experience. In addition to producing, writing and directing her first independent feature, Circle of Time, Ms. Caicedo also produced and directed an independent feature, Shut Up and Do It; an educational short film, “Loss Of Innocence In Loisaida,” and a 2 short films, “Little Courage” and “9/12.” In music, Ms. Caicedo directed a bachata video, En la Oscuridad. A graduate of SUNY College at Purchase, Ms. Caicedo is a member of Chicas in the Biz, IFP (Independent Films Projects), NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) and NYWIFT (New York Women in Film and Television).
Together with AfterDark CATV PRO, Caicedo Productions is producing the 1st International Puerto Rican Film Festival 2011 in New York City’s Spanish Harlem.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MICHELLE ARAGÓN
LOUIS DANIEL CAMACHO
LEROY SMITH
SERGIO VALENTIN