Scholarships
The Daniel Gerson Memorial Fund for the Arts partnered with Reel Works, an organization that provides free filmmaking programs for underserved NYC teens, to create a scholarship fund in Daniel’s name to benefit students in the Narrative Lab.
Our Board of Trustees is happy to introduce you to the budding filmmakers that have benefitted from donations: Zhihui (Michael) Chen (2022-2023), Rachel Mei Kelly & Jayson Oakman (2021-22); Jordyn Benda & Sekou Cherif (2020-21); and Julissa Bedford & Alex Ortiz (2019-20).
Films by our recipients can be viewed below.
2023-2024 Recipient:
Raven Santos was born in the Philippines and moved to Queens, NY, at the age of eight. He hopes to inspire others to tell stories about their lives by showcasing his creativity through filmmaking. His Narrative Lab short film, The Night Owl and the Early Bird, is a musical romance.
The Night Owl and Early Bird, by Raven Santos
2022-2023 Recipient:
Zhihui (Michael) Chen attends Leaders High School in Brooklyn. Michael loves making videos, history, singing, and making music. His movie is about a Chinese American boy who experiences racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Letter to the Mayor, by Zhihui (Michael) Chen
2021-2022 Recipients:
Rachel Mei Kelly is a high school student in Brooklyn. Rachel, a graduate of Reel Works documentary lab and an aspiring filmmaker, is currently writing her film about two teens recruited to an intelligence agency assigned small tasks to help solve a big mystery. Her interests include filmmaking, photography, and bullet journaling.
Misconception, by Rachel Mei Kelly
Jayson Oakman, an 11th grader at the High School of Art and Design, has loved movies since childhood and always wanted to be a director. His film, about a teen who has been stabbed, explores depression and mental health issues.
Broken Soul, by Jayson Oakman
2020-2021 Recipients:
Jordyn Benda, from Queens, is a 10th Grader at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria. Jordyn’s film Boundaries takes place in the back alleys of New York City, where a desperate and naive teenager, Nova is tied to the same pole as the social outcast Emery as a test to prove if she is worthy to be a part of the "it" crowd. If Nova doesn’t pass the test, she will become the next social outcast. Jordyn shared," From a young age, I’ve always loved stories to the point where the second I could read on my own my mom made me read to her. I became obsessed with fairy tales and animation as a way to express myself and to understand the world around me.”
Cherries, by Jordyn Benda
Sekou Cherif is an 11th grader at High School of Art and Design. His film addresses racism in the world of casting in the film industry, at times utilizing a sense of satire while creating important social commentary. “My passion for storytelling has been a pillar in my life even when other things weren’t as sturdy. I’ve seen and continue to see stories all around me that many people can’t say they’ve experienced. This is why my mission is and always will be to shed light on important topics while also entertaining whoever is open to them,” Sekou said.
The African King, by Sekou Cherif
Remarks:
“Our Board of Trustees is excited to see what Jordyn and Sekou will create during their time in the Narrative Lab and we look forward to sharing the fruits of their labor with our donors. Daniel would be moved and honored to know that we are making a difference in the lives of these students through scholarships in his name.”
Introduction & Welcoming Remarks
2021 Narrative Lab
Q&A and Concluding Remarks
2021 Narrative Lab
2019-2020 Recipients:
Julissa Bedford attends the High School of Art & Design and is a Bronx native. Julissa shared, "Reel Works is special to me because in my community I don't get to see many people of different backgrounds. Getting to know about other people and their life brings interest to me and it kind of brings about a new way of looking at life. Reel Works means a place that I can express myself as not only a filmmaker but also an artist." Regarding her becoming a Daniel Gerson Scholarship Recipient she said, “For me personally, I want to make an impact on others with the films I make. I’ve watched the movies that Daniel made and I was a child when I saw them. Daniel’s films created memories for me and forever I will always remember these movies. I want my work in the future to make the same impact that Daniel has made to others.”
Revelations, by Julissa Bedford
Alexander (Alex) Ortiz is also a student at the High School of Art and Design and a Bronx native. “Reel Works pushed be to be more independent and creative,” Alex said. When he learned that he had been named a Daniel Gerson Scholarship Recipient, Alex shared, “I feel that I relate to the compassion that Daniel brought to his writing. Being in the Narrative Lab brought out of this side of writing that I’ve never got to experience before and I’m so excited [to write] and I’m happy to get the chance to realize the vision that I have. My film is about a friend who passed away and his friend who is figuring out how to come to terms with that.”
Panels, by Alex Ortiz
Remarks:
“We’ve wished Alex and Julissa all the best on their creative journeys this year on behalf of our donors. During the next six months, our 2020 scholarship recipients will meet after school with their cohort and mentors at Reel Works to write, produce, and direct their own original short films. We’re excited to see the stories they create.”
Introduction & Welcoming Remarks
2020 Narrative Lab
Q&A and Concluding Remarks
2020 Narrative Lab