Pathways to Wealth and Wellness
For those of us who came of age in the late 70s and early 80s, we witnessed the cultural shift in marketing music. The introduction of the music video changed the game. We saw, first hand, how music evolved to where we are now. We also witnessed how the convergence of sound and image in the form of a concept video began to reflect and shape the world. From this emerged ten prevailing themes in popular youth music and media.
While ubiquitous access to high speed technology is commonplace for many reading this, such access cannot be taken for granted as equally available in all parts of the United States, and certainly not equally available in all communities and neighborhoods. Handheld technology, on the other hand, enables most children, youth, and families access 14/7, information, news, and media entertainment.
We know that the information and news industry, and media entertainment (INIME) is where many people spend the majority of their waking hours. Therefore, we approach our work with an understanding that music and media shape our attitudes, beliefs, and choices (ABCs). Taken a step further, the INIME shapes and reflects social norms when it comes to behavior, primarily cultural differences, but sometimes cultural similarities, and lifestyle. We offer solutions that measurably improve outcomes via programming, teaching, coaching, therapy, and training.
Specifically, we:
Provide curriculum, instruction, counseling, enrichment, and therapeutic support services for behavioral health interventions and
Facilitate access to opportunities using the arts as pathways to wealth, wellness, via science, technology, entrepreneurship, the arts, and media [STEAM].
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Cultivation theory posits that repeated exposure to media over time will predictable influence beliefs about the world and what is “real”. Social Learning Theory posits that people, especially younger people, learn from one another; the influence of “influential others” is particularly impactful. Learning is achieved via observing, imitating, and modeling behavior that is positively rewarded.
Leadership Team
Julian D. Owens, PhD, MPH
Executive Director/Creative Director
Julian Owens
Dr. Julian Owens co-founded Here’s 2 Life in 1999 and leads a team of dedicated staff and volunteers in mission-driven educational outreach and technical assistance that aligns with creating pathways to wealth and wellness especially for vulnerable youth and families, and those who support them in school and community settings. Dr. Owens teaches courses in human development, learning science, health education, and adolescence as an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in universities in the United States and Caribbean. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journals appearing in education, health promotion, behavioral health and social policy journals.
Dr. Owens earned his PhD in Teaching and Learning at the University of South Carolina, with advanced training in health promotion, education and behavior. He completed post doctoral training in mental health as a NIMH Fellow at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University. He earned an MPH in Health Management and Policy at The University of Michigan School of Public Health . Dr. Owens received his BA in Psychology from Morehouse College.
As an applied researcher and practitioner, Dr. Owens’ focus is on adolescence, and specifically, adolescent behavioral health using music and media as content and context for engagement and therapy. He presents regularly at national and international conferences on the power and potential of music and media as content and context for engaging youth in prosocial instruction, enrichment, and therapy. He is a singer/songwriter/producer who enjoys composing, arranging, performing, and teaching music.
Education
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Post-Doctoral Fellow Department of Mental Health
University of S. Carolina College of Education; Doctor of Philosophy [PhD] Department of Teaching and Learning
University of Michigan School of Public Health Master of Public Health [MPH] Department of Health Policy & Mgmt.
Morehouse College
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology [B.A.] Department of Psychology
Activities & Affiliations
• Research Associate, Center for Adolescent Health
• Research Associate, Center for Violence Prevention
• Researcher Associate, Challenging Horizons Program
• Doctoral Fellow, Grace McFadden Professors Program
•Research Associate, Research Associate, Women and Gender Studies
• Founding Member, Parallel Motion Acapella Signing Group
• Member, Morehouse College Glee Club
Tyrone Lofton, BA
Coordinator, Community Outreach and Youth Development programming
Tyrone Lofton
Mr. Lofton represents Here’s 2 Life [H2L] at community and round table events locally and virtually. He follows up with prospective community-based partners to provide in-depth information about programming opportunities and works with Dr. Owens to deliver training. Mr. Lofton also coordinates H2L Internhip Program and consults on ways to customize the integration of science, technology, and the arts into curricula and our curriculum-based programs. He also assists in designing professional development workshops that emphasize the need for balancing social justice with personal responsibility when it comes to matters of wealth and wellness. Mr. Lofton coordinates and hosts community pop-up tabling events where age-appropriate, culturally engaging information is shared. He utilizes his knowledge of positive youth development programming to conduct interviews, community forums, and monthly briefings to inform stakeholders of program activities. Mr. Lofton is instrumental in assessing community needs and ensuring that all programming and services address health, education, and economic disparities in an age-appropriate, culturally responsive manner. He brings a youth-friendly lens to this work, utilizing his keen interpersonal communication skills to optimize teaching, learning and enrichment programming in formal and informal settings.
Education
TOWSON UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Bioinformatics [B.S.]; Fisher College of Science and Mathematics.
Activities & Affiliations
• Member, AmeriCorps, DC; AmeriCorps Leadership Council (DCALC), Development Team
• Member, American Chemical Society
Advisors
William E. Smith, PhD, MM; Associate Professor, Music Technology, Bowie State University, Bowie MD.
Jarrod Lockhart, M. Ed; Assistant Director, Pipeline Initiatives at Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Juliet Jones, Ed.D; Curriculum Officer, Ministry of Education, Trinidad & Tobago, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
David Fakunle, PhD; Associate Faculty, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore MD.
Frank Baker, Media Literacy Consultant; Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences; Columbia, SC.
Board of Directors
Please contact us for information about our board of Directors.