Youth Channel Staff

Director: Isabel Castellanos
As Director of MNN Youth Channel, Isabel enjoys mentoring NYC youth in
the media-making process and guiding them on their creative journeys.
In the past, she has worked as associate producer, researcher and
editor for urban planning and education TV documentaries. In her free
time Isabel continues to work in video post-production, currently she
is video-editing “Preschool in Three Cultures: Japan, China and the
US, an educational video series for educators. Isabel is also a committee member and curriculum contributor for the NYC Dept. of Education's Moving Image Blueprint. She holds a M.A. in Media Studies from the New School University.

Production Coordinator: Derrick Dawkins
It is up to Derrick to help young people note their experiences and package it to be heard on the Youth Channel. Derrick has the filmmaking skills as well as the experience to pass along to other youth. He has completed five short films shot on 16 mm, and 3 short films on digital and currently continues to work professionally as a freelancer. Derrick is committed to youth media production, and will always train others in media throughout life.

Programming Coordinator: Julián Gerena-Quiñones
Julian is a talented videographer & editor with a keen sense of composition and knowledge of video production.  He started working with the Youth Channel as a Peer Educator and since 2007 is proud to be the YC Programming Coordinator. In 2009 he completed the Youth Media Learning Networks Fellowship program, where he developed and researched a curriculum focusing around youth as curators of media in a programming committee setting.  Julian also runs Barrio Media, a community-minded video production company based in East Harlem.