Archive for the 'In the community' Category

Power Partners Annual Holiday Party

Author: mwaters
December 28, 2008

December 18th (Thursday), Philadelphia — Novelist and comic book author Alex Simmons was a guest speaker for a wonderful group of young readers called Power Partners, during their Annual Holiday Party.  He signed copies of his new Archie & Friends mini series, THE CARTOON LIFE OF CHUCK CLAYTON. The books were made available for the children, thanks to the ECBACC, Inc. STARS program and Archie Comics.

Author Alex Simmons and Brintha Vasagar, Miss Philadelphia 2008

Author Alex Simmons and Brintha Vasagar, Miss Philadelphia 2008, take time out from the Power Parters event to pose for the cameras.

Christmas Cheer and Promoting Literacy!

Author: mwaters
December 28, 2008

ECBACC, Inc. S.T.A.R.S. program thanks

PA. State Senator Shirley M. Kitchen, Alex Simmons and Archie Comics.

Just days before Christmas, State Sen. Shirley Kitchen carried out her annual tradition of handing out toys, hats, scarves, and other gifts to hundreds of local children at the Olde Kensington Lehigh Senior Center, 1701 W. Lehigh Avenue.

“I always look forward to seeing the joy in the children’s faces when they receive a new toy or a warm pair of gloves,” said Kitchen, who has been organizing this annual event for 12 years. “Every child deserves to have a Merry Christmas, so this toy event is one way that needy children have a gift to open this holiday season.”

Senator Kitchen personally purchased items for the children.

Alex Simmons, writer for Archie Comics, handed out and signed free copies of the Archie comic: The Cartoon Life of Chuck Clayton. Chuck Clayton takes center stage in this special storyline when he is asked to teach an after-school program in cartooning to elementary school kids. Simmons, the author of this multi-part epic, is a children’s art advocate and organizer of the “Kids’ Comics” convention.

His appearance was sponsored by the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention STARS (Storytelling That Advances Reading Skills) program, which conducts comic book workshops to encourage literacy and creativity in youth.

Baltimore Co. African American Cultural Festival

Author: mwaters
October 6, 2008

WE THANK ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD

FOR STOPPING BY OUR BOOTH AND SUPPORTING US.

ECBACC had a great time at the 12th Annual African American Cultural Festival in Baltimore County, MD, on Saturday, September 20, 2008.

The Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival is a unique event focusing on community and families. Among its highlights is the Historic Settlements Exhibit. This exhibit chronicles the lives of the descendants of Baltimore County’s African American residents.

For more info on this great festival go to http://www.aaculturalfestival.com/index.html

 We were able to meet and talk to one of the members of the Buffalo Soldiers Baltimore, MD Chapter whose main goal is to perpetuate the memory of comrades who have passed on…and the history, contributions, and many accomplishments of the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry Regiments in the defense of our country.

For more information about them go to http://members.aol.com/baltbufsol/index.html

Fat Momma in Action!

Author: mwaters
October 6, 2008

Thanks to the The ECBACC S.T.A.R.S. program, Fat Momma was able to bring her super powered message of self acceptance to the students of Pepper Middle School in Southwest Philadelphia.

Nell Wilson  appeared on the Sci-Fi Channels “Who Wants to Be a Superhero?” reality series. Her character “Fat Momma” drew unprecedented attention from the media, critics and viewing audience.  Nell has been traveling around the world spreading her message of self acceptance. Recent visits include:  Australia, England, New York, Detroit, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and many more!

This is one of ECBACC S.T.A.R.S’ educational events that leads up to our annual convention.

The students had a super time talking with Fat Momma.

The Third Annual Parent Appreciation Day

Author: mwaters
October 3, 2008

During the month of September, ECBACC supported the School District of Philadelphia’s third Annual Parent Appreciation Day. We donated our Read for Fun Workbook to parents and students who attended as door prizes.

The third annual Parent Appreciation Day encourages parents to get involved with their schools and help them overcome some of the obstacles of  involvement. There were informative workshops for parents with diverse topics ranging from funding college to the cost of home repair.

(Pictured left to right) Quibilia Divine, the district’s Assistant Director for Public Engagement, and ECBACC Founder, Yumy Odom, at the Philadelphia Board of Education’s Parent Appreciation Day held at the Board of Education Building in Philadelphia.

   

Parent, counselor, and student enjoying ECBACC’s Read for Fun workbook.

Kyle Baker speaks in Philly

Author: mwaters
September 11, 2008

On September 10, 2008, ECBACC caught up with Kyle Baker at Robin’s Book store in Philadelphia, PA.  Baker spoke about his work and was signing his newest books, NAT TURNER, HOW TO DRAW STUPID, BABIES AND KITTENS, and SPECIAL FORCES.

 

Members of the ECBACC Executive Board presented Kyle Baker with his 2008 Glyph Comics Award for “Best Artist”  Nat Turner: Revolution

Baker has won several Glyph Comic Awards over the past few years.

To check out all of his work go to www.kylebaker.com/

ECBACC Supporting the Mural Arts Program

Author: mwaters
September 10, 2008

On April 19, 2008 ECBACC was on site to support the Mural Arts Program and its volunteers in the community at the kick off a new mural project at the Mantua Recreation Center in Philadelphia, PA

ECBACC passed out free comic books to all of the people who participated in this project.

The Mural Arts Program (MAP) has produced over 2,700 murals throughout Philadelphia. More murals than any other city in the world.  For more information go to http://www.muralarts.org/

A good time was had by all. Both old and young pitched in to help make this mural happen.

ECBACC on Wheels

Author: mwaters
August 25, 2008

One of the many vehicles we use to travel to events.  

If you see the logo you know its about to go down!!!

ECBACC at the 10th Anniv. Harlem Book Fair

Author: mwaters
August 25, 2008

The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) participated in the 10th Anniversary Gala and Celebration of the Harlem Book Fair.

The 10th Anniversary Gala and Celebration of the Harlem Book Fair began on Friday, July 18th, and concluded on Sunday, July 20th, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

ECBACC & The Just Us Girls Book Club

ECBACC participated by selling our “Read For Fun Workbook” at the  outdoor festival held on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on West 135th Street between Lenox Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.

Both parents and children responded to our work book very well.

Comic Books: What’s the Story within the Story

Author: mwaters
August 25, 2008

COMIC BOOKS: WHAT’S THE STORY WITHIN THE STORY

Coordinator: Jerry Craft, Cartoonist and creator of Mama’s boyz

Facilitators: Alex Simmons, Akinseye Brown and Maurice Waters

During the 10th Anniversary Harlem Book Fair, ECBACC also participated in a comic book workshop for kids.

Learn how to draw comics. What’s the story behind Iron Man? What’s the story behind The Hulk? Comic books and graphic novels are often the first access to reading for our youth. This workshop creates access to creative self-expression and enhances self-esteem.

Demonstrating the stages of drawing a character