I am a middle school choir director in a rural, largely Caucasian school where gospel music and diversity is foreign to many students. I purchased this story and showed it to my students as an introduction to Gospel/Spiritual music. I can not put into words how much this story has made an impact on my class. I caught some students wiping away tears when it was over because I think so many students recognized themselves in the story. They were so moved by it that they have asked to holler their name with pride at our next concert. Some are still working on building the confidence to do it but they are excited by the challenge. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful story to remind and inspire my students and myself why music can be so powerful.
This is one of the best segments I've seen on 60 minutes. Vy Higginsen deserves a tremendous amount of credit for not only preserving Gospel music but changing these kids lives for the best. Leslie Stahl did a fantastic job with this segment (as usual!).
60 Minutes is easily the best show on television today because it actually contributes something meaningful to society! Keep up the great work over there!!! :)
It is so uplifting to see people making a difference in the world. Not only that but to actually see the impact, the positive influence, the joy and the pride that it also brings to young teenagers.
I was so taken with the music and the young people, their pain and their joy. I am writing this specifically to encourage Gaby Francois. I was so disappointed to hear that she could not attend because of her need to work...I am donating today for HER and I want her to know that...If she can find any single way to get herself there - I am hoping my prayers help her to get there. It is currently almost 4 .am. and I didn't want to go to sleep without her knowing that. You go girl - don't give up - find a way - we're rooting for you. You can do it!
Big hugs to all and encouragement! Wonderful wonderful wonderful !
I love this programming. I've been a fan of 60 minutes for more than 16 years. This one segment is inspiring and worrisome, because of the problems and troubles that surround all of our children. Violence affecting them, their friends and family is so common place they've all known the pain of loss that should not be suffered by so many, so young. The fractured family issues have been occurring, more commonly, in the US for more than 40 years. We need to worry about our children. In our worry we need to encourage and educate our children.
People who are economically able to raise their natural children should brag less about it, and maybe even exercise their creative writing skills a bit less smugly concerning it, because most people never know their real parents, including some of the ones who think they really do.
It's heartwarming to see a positive story about youth and Harlem. In a world where so many voices are suppressed,I feel encouraged by these teenagers' ability and willingness to use their voices for the gospel and as agents of change in their own lives and therefore in the lives of others.
The media is rife with bad news about teenagers--to the point that adults fear and avoid them. The voice of Gospel for Teens is compelling, powerful, and beautiful.
We know what can happen with one's natural exuberance and powerful is frustrated. In Gospel for Teens, we see in the faces of the youth how lives are transformed when they are granted a vehicle of expression.
I have witnessed the Mama Foundation for the Arts and Vy Higginsen's work for over ten years. They personify commitment, integrity, and supreme artistry. I love Gospel for Teens. What a blessing to Harlem and to the world community.
It's clear that 60 Minutes did not speak to the neighbors of the Mama Foundation. The Mama Foundation operates with a complete disregard for the quality of life and health of its neighbors. Housed in a brownstone on a residential block, the Mama Foundation is so noisy that the police have been called several times. The Mama Foundation has also been warned by the Department of Environmental Protection, but it continues to behave with a callous indifference to its neighbors. Youths loiter on neighboring homes, and noise on some Friday nights, Saturday afternoons and even sometimes Sunday is horrible. The only thing that is important to the Mama Foundation is to exploit naive young people and abuse neighbors in its tawdry clutch at second-hand fame. Next time, 60 Minutes, do your research!
YOU MUST REALLY HAVE A MENTAL ERROR, IVE SAT OUT THERE DAY AFTER DAY IN MY BLUE HONDA. IVE LISTENED AND OBSERVED THE MAMMA FOUNDATION SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND HAVE SAW OR HERD ANYTHING TO BE DISTURBING. THE TEENS COME AND GO. THE POLICE DRIVE PAST. AND IVE SEEN OFFICERS GIVE COMPLIMENTS TO MS.HIGGINSEN. SO NEIGHBOR THE LIES YOU TELL NEED TO STOP, STOP BEING A SCROOGE AND ALLOW THESE CHILDREN TO LEARN AND PUT THEIR TALENT TO GOOD USE. I WOULD RATHER HEAR THEM SING THEN TO SEE THEM BEATING UP OR ROBBING SOMEBODY! YOUR FRIEND FROM 6 DOORS DOWN
I "googled" Mama Foundation and went through 12 pages without finding anything but very positive comments about what happens there. Then I googled "Mama Foundation problems with neighbors" and the ONLY thing that came up were the comments that YOU made above. While I am not a neighbor (I live in MN)and I can't speak personally about any noise "problems", I will say that after watching the video regarding the Mama Foundation, it sounds like there are only joyful noises coming from there and we should all be celebrating that rather than complaining about it. Get a life and find something that is really a problem to complain about. Three cheers for the Mama Foundation and keep up the awesome work!
Thank you 60 minutes. I share a similar life of being raised by family member other than my parents and i learned so much about myself just watching this. Music moves the soul, it heals, it gives hope....especially gospel. Thanks Ms. Vy. I had my young kids watch this, they realise how blessed they are.
The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
Reply to Comment The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.
60 Minutes is easily the best show on television today because it actually contributes something meaningful to society! Keep up the great work over there!!! :)
I was so taken with the music and the young people, their pain and their joy. I am writing this specifically to encourage Gaby Francois. I was so disappointed to hear that she could not attend because of her need to work...I am donating today for HER and I want her to know that...If she can find any single way to get herself there - I am hoping my prayers help her to get there. It is currently almost 4 .am. and I didn't want to go to sleep without her knowing that. You go girl - don't give up - find a way - we're rooting for you. You can do it!
Big hugs to all and encouragement! Wonderful wonderful wonderful !
The media is rife with bad news about teenagers--to the point that adults fear and avoid them. The voice of Gospel for Teens is compelling, powerful, and beautiful.
We know what can happen with one's natural exuberance and powerful is frustrated. In Gospel for Teens, we see in the faces of the youth how lives are transformed when they are granted a vehicle of expression.
Bless you, bless all.