Sometimes it takes a kid at heart to connect with young people and that’s exactly what Ja’Cory Bazell is doing as the leader of the Teen Communications Program at Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive). As the program celebrates one year teaching students about filming, photography, editing, and communication, we wanted to shine our Staff Spotlight on the instructor.
Ja’Cory has worked in our Recreation Department for more than six years. He started working part-time with summer camps, and a little more than a year ago, he moved to full time at the Center. Ja’Cory is a content creator himself, and says his motto is ‘never stop learning.’ He’s passionate about helping his community because it’s also helping him learn about new technology and ways to connect while he’s teaching the lessons.
“I see myself as a big kid! I think that’s why I connect so well with the kids in this program,” says Ja’Cory. “I’m down to Earth, and at the end of the day, – I just want to help these young people learn and grow to figure out who they are and who they want to be.”
Frank Johnson Center Supervisor Clarence Thomas says Ja’Cory is the perfect person to lead the team of young communicators, and that he’s an asset to not just the Center, but the entire community.
“Ja’Cory has proven to be a spectacular hire. He’s passionate about what he does and is having a great impact in our ongoing effort to be a recreation destination,” says Thomas. “He took the provided blueprint for the Teen Communications Program, leveled it up by adding his vision for it, and made it a highly successful program along with others he created since joining us full time last August.”
Since starting, the team has done live reporting for local sports games and boxing matches, interviewed seniors at the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center, and learned what goes into content creation. They use cameras, microphones, switchboard software, and more to tell their stories.
The Teen Communications Program is free for students to attend, and kids as young as 6th grade are invited to participate. If you’d like your child to get involved in the Teen Communications Program, you can visit the Facebook page here and send Ja’Cory an email at JBazell@MaconBibb.us to get set up.
Thank you, Ja’Cory, for being part of #TeamMaconBibb!