Get Fokus’d Productions produced visuals for Open Buffalo’s Clean Mobility initiative. GFP partnered with Villa Maria College’s Digital Media Communications department to give practical multimedia students hands-on experience researching community-driven organizations while collaborating with professional digital storytellers.

Led by Creative Arts Strategist, Aitina Fareed-Cooke, the project created opportunities for Villa Maria students and emergent storytellers through a partnership with Just Buffalo Literary Arts Center. Three Clean Mobility digital short stories were produced to support Open Buffalo’s work this semester. Students received stipends, and the experience demonstrated the value of their work, empowering them to explore opportunities in digital storytelling and the creative economy.

Villa Maria College students earned academic credits while engaging with community-driven organizations to positively impact the city. The initiative also included learning about the NFTA’s role in Clean Mobility, and introduced students to Just Buffalo Literary Arts Center. Through site visits and collaborative work, the project embodies the Creative Arts Strategist’s belief that the community becomes a classroom.