People Are Talking About Pacha’s Pajamas
What started out as a project to document stories in South Africa in January 2011 morphed into a story-centered advocacy project that helped prevent disproportionate impact of layoffs on flatland schools in Oakland in April 2011. Now it appears altogether something different but it still has story at its center, and it speaks to me deeply.
I didn’t realize when Rosa Gonzalez invited me to join the Fourth Class of Green For All Fellows that it would help catalyze my life’s work. What started out as a project to document stories in South Africa in January 2011 morphed into a story-centered advocacy project that helped prevent disproportionate impact of layoffs on flatland schools in Oakland in April 2011. Now it appears altogether something different but it still has story at its center, and it speaks to me deeply.
Going into 2010, I could feel that the foundation for my life’s work was emerging. So I really dug into the work, foregoing many social and recreational opportunities. My solace at the time was that 2011 would be the year for me to cultivate balance. I remember my Grandma used to say, “Be careful for what you ask for, ‘cause you might get it.” In 2011, the balance I got turned out to be BALANCE Edutainment (“BALANCE”), a social enterprise I started with Aaron Ableman.
BALANCE is an edutainment production firm that develops educational entertainment products at the intersection of pop culture, health and sustainability. The company’s current efforts are focused on solving one of the world’s most pressing problems, that is, bringing environmental consciousness to the masses. The environmental movement is near a tipping point that could make being green a way of life, but it needs to engage youth, people of color and mainstream thinkers.
Our flagship brand Pacha's Pajamas helps young people to learn about their relationships with other species and ecosystems, and to more fully appreciate Nature. BALANCE is developing “Pacha’s Pajamas” as a social brand that combines corporate branding techniques, entertainment, and ecological education. The brand has licensable elements as well as a number of products with licensable elements. We are positioning Pacha to be the first animated music sensation on Youtube; her music features celebrities and talented child vocalists and emcees.
BALANCE is in an exciting moment. Our book has received amazing testimonials from giants like Van Jones and Vandana Shiva. Our performances have reached approximately 8,000 kids and adults to rave reviews. In fact, we just had a performance at the Chabot Space & Science Center this past weekend. We are also getting tremendous interest in collaborating from social enterprises and nonprofits.
BALANCE is like a sprout breaking through the soil; our current size has no bearing on the size we could become and yet, at the same time, we are vulnerable, requiring ample water, minerals and sun. We are raising funds through a Loudsauce campaign to continue to grow. Read more.
Support us!
- Give the gift of the Pacha’s Pajamas book and CD, become an Associate Producer or claim one of the other cool rewards through our Loudsauce campaign. Our Loudsauce campaign ends on Friday, December 16, so please contribute today!
- Give a tax deductible donation to our nonprofit project, BALANCE Films
- Introduce us to people and networks that may be interested in investing, publishing and/or distribution
