THE COLOR OF WORDS

The Color of Words (TCOW) is a non-profit, youth-based and youth-driven digital video production organization in New Haven, with active plans to expand to Bridgeport and Hartford. The program grants fresh, talented youth the opportunity to use and perfect their skills and get their voices heard in the process. The focus of the program is on passion, imagination, creativity, freedom, community, vision and voice.

The TCOW team involves youth with different interests - music, photography, writing, acting - and teaches them the skills needed to put their talent to work in future employment as directors, photographers, audio producers, writers, actors and editors. Through training and development, community youth learn the value of their contribution to an inventive, curious, creative and intelligent workforce - a necessity to navigate today's global media workforce.

TCOW recently announced the acceptance of three advanced level participants into the highly competitive William H. Cosby Future Filmmakers Workshop at the New York University Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. More than 150 applicants competed for only 15 spaces in the program.

This workshop identifies gifted students from traditionally underrepresented groups who have demonstrated strong interest in the film and television industry. The students enroll in an intensive 12-week training program during which filmmaking and digital media are taught.The program begins in February 2009 and will be held on the NYU campus in Manhattan.

TCOW is at the forefront of training Connecticut's leaders of tomorrow, based on the premise that every young person can transform their lives by using the power of words, engaging in the arts, and participating in interactive exchange through digital media and new communication technology.

For more information on TCOW, visit its MySpace and Facebook pages.