ABOUT US
In 2005, Richard Jaeggi decided to counteract the terror and violence that followed 9/11 by creating a local "peace army" of young people. Richard knew the youth could become change agents in their community and the world. He also understood the power of media and knew it was the means by which these youth could make a real difference. It was a bold idea, but there was just one problem - Richard didn't have experience creating films.
Still that didn't stop him - he went out and found a local company to donate camera equipment. Then he convinced friends with experience in the media industry to come teach the group how to use it. And with that, Richard's peace army became a reality - the Gandhi Brigade. In 2014, Richard left us far too soon, but his legacy lives on.
Our Vision
We envision young people shaping communities where everyone values and respects one another, and where everyone has opportunities to express themselves using media arts.
Our Mission
Action Youth Media’s mission is to create communities where young people build confidence using media skills to express themselves and to promote community building, multicultural understanding, and the common good. We offer free out-of-school programs for middle and high school students that provide inclusive spaces for youth to discover their interests, develop skills, prepare for their future, and thrive.
Our Values
Young leadership: Making space for youth voices, listening to youth voices, lifting up youth voices, & promoting young leaders.
Community: Coming together, sharing stories, listening to others’ stories, and healing and growing together.
Healthy Earth, Healthy Humans: Reviving and protecting our natural world, urban green space, & healthy lifestyles.
Visual, Performing, and Media Arts: Powering youth to express their experiences and to build empathy.
Social Justice
Valuing and protecting Black lives: ending white supremacy and anti-Black racism in our society’s public and private structures.
Valuing and protecting non-Black and indigenous people of color.
Achieving and protecting Immigrant and refugee rights
Helping families regardless of their legal status.
Ending generations of dehumanizing immigrants and refugees
Achieving and protecting LGBTQ+ rights including access to healthcare
Achieving and protecting women’s rights including women’s access to healthcare.
Achieving and protecting rights of all regardless of physical or mental ability.
Fighting anti-disabled policies.
Acknowledging that we do not know what we do not know. Always learning.
OUR TEAM
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LYNN HUGHES
Executive Director
Lynn Hughes (she/her) is an award-winning producer, writer and director whose career creating media spans more than 20 years. Her work has aired on networks across the globe, including NBC, PBS, Discovery, History Channel, BBC, Channel 4, MTV and Showtime. Her expertise in developing non-fiction programming includes recent series on Apple, Disney+, HBO, Investigation Discovery and OWN. As a member of the Producers Guild of America, she served as chair for the Documentary Committee and the Women’s Impact Network (WIN). Lynn is a former member of the board of AYM, serving in her tenure as Finance Chair and Co-Chair of the board.
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EDGAR ROMERO
Program Manager
(he/him) Born and raised in the Silver Spring community, Edgar knows first hand the value of mentorship and community support. His film journey began with a documentary about the Montgomery County Conservation Corps, a program that profoundly impacted his life through the LAYC-Maryland Multicultural Youth Center. Co-produced with Max Fuentes, One Step at a Time won Best Film at the 2014 Montgomery County Youth Media Festival. He joined AYM as an AmericCorps member shortly after. Ten years later, Edgar brings not only expertise in media and storytelling but also a genuine, lived experience for youth development and community empowerment—values that align perfectly with the mission of AYM.
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NAYNA AGRAWAL
Teaching Artist
(she/her) was featured in Variety's 2015 100 Writers to Watch. She is a former NYC analyst, DC policy writer, international aid director and touring dancer. In 2023, her plays were presented at the Signature in DC, Nashville and Omaha. Nayna is an alumna of the Unlock Her Potential initiative, The Salon initiative, Disney ABC TV Writers Program and the Sesame Street Writers Program. She has written for Disney, ABC, Netflix, DreamWorks, Mattel and won a development deal with Sesame Street. Recent credits include ABC’s The Baker and The Beauty, Disney’s Encanto, an upcoming Disney film, and a Netflix live-action YA fantasy show.
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MOLLY DEDHAM
Teaching Artist
(she/her) is a film enthusiast, radio personality, film blogger and video producer. Having worked in the entertainment business for over 25 years, she wears many hats -- casting director, producer, radio show host and film publicist. Molly hosted BROADMINDED, a national talk show on Sirius XM for eight years. Molly gets to the heart of any story with humor and extortion. Molly's passion is discussing the filmmaking process. She has interviewed hundreds of actors, directors, writers and continues to host filmmaker screenings and Q&A’s for numerous studios such as Focus Features, Paramount Pictures and Fox Searchlight.
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GRAHAM HOLFORD
Teaching Artist
(he/him) is a British filmmaker based in Washington, DC. His films have been screened at film festivals in the United States, UK, and Asia. Graham is a faculty member at Montgomery College and an associate producer at Sightline Media, a media outlet that reports on the military. He is the head programmer at the North by North International Film Festival and has taught Filmmaking at Ohio University and Interlochen School of the Arts.
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ZOE IBSON
(she/her) Zoe is a multimedia artist from Washington DC with a degree in Communications and Film from the University of Wisconsin. She spent five years working in marketing and social media for an international streaming service at AMC Networks. Currently, Zoe serves as a communications consultant with Project:Camp, a non-profit that organizes day camps for kids in the midst of disaster. Whether she is editing footage, making metal sculptures or developing a podcast, Zoe is driven by the power of storytelling to inspire empathy, empower those who feel unseen, and spark meaningful social action.
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GEORGIA JENKINS
Teaching Artist
(she/her) is a filmmaker and Political Science major from the DMV. She’s had a lifelong love of movies and a keen interest in how they are created behind the scenes. After working in virtually every position on a film crew, her main focus is writing, directing, and editing. She hopes to make a difference in her community through her favorite medium: film.
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SHANNON LAMB
Teaching Artist
(she/her) is a filmmaker from Silver Spring, MD. Her foray into filmmaking began with creating a documentary for C-SPAN Student Cam in middle school, and she participated in Action Youth Media as a student in high school. Shannon has since graduated from Tulane University with degrees in Film Production and Communications. She has participated in the production of multiple narrative and documentary film projects, with a particular love for cinematography and editing. Shannon is excited to work with emerging young filmmakers and take on new projects!
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BALA MAH'MOUD
Teaching Artist
(he/him) is a filmmaker from Gaithersburg, MD. He graduated from Towson University with a degree in Electronic Media & Film and a minor in African American studies. Bala has directed several short films and music videos for various artists. He has also worked on notable films such as Apple TV's "Ghosted'' starring Chris Evans and Ana De Armas, and Netflix's "Rustin" with Colman Domingo. Additionally, he has experience as a gaffer/lighting technician for films such as "Step Back, Doors Closing." Bala is always eager to take on new projects and bring fresh ideas to the table.