ABOUT US

The AMcK Initiative, Inc. (AMcK) was founded in April 2001 and formalized as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) in May 2002. Co-founder Angela McKenzie's personal experience with hunger, her professional experience as a musician and as a consultant at the United Nations, helped to inspire the organization's mission of using music as a vehicle to spotlight poverty and hunger. Musical activities include staging benefit concerts/food drives, where the audience comes out to enjoy great music in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items. After each show the collected food is turned over to a local food rescue agency for distribution to the needy. These events have received favorable recognition from members of the press, New York City Mayor_Michael_Bloomberg and other supporters past and present, include The Village Voice, WB Mason, CDM_Sound_Studios, Ben & Jerry’s and Street News a publication distributed by New York City’s homeless.

The organization’s first musical endeavor was the production of the album titled 9. 9 is a collection of practical love songs penned mostly by women songwriters like Grammy winner Diane Scanlon and Indegrrl Foundation founder Holly Figueroa. All songs were performed in the classic Roots-Rock and Soul styles by Angela McKenzie and the music was arranged and played by Adam “Batman” Haggar and Annastasia Kuporosova. Angela wanted to create an acoustic space where she could sing robustly and honestly without grandiose production and record to old fashioned analog tape. Angela said, “I enjoyed performing every piece on the album but what makes the ups, downs and in-betweens of creating this project really worth it, is knowing that proceeds from 9 will be used to further AMcK’s charitable initiatives.” 9 qualified for three 2006 Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary Folk Album.

In September 2007 The AMcK Initiative, Inc. broadened its' audience by launching the radio program “Initiative Radio With Angela McKenzie” on WSIA 88.9 FM on Staten Island, NY. This weekly offering is a one hour public affairs program that focuses on the philanthropic and altruistic activities of corporations both for profit and not-for-profit, inter-governmental organizations, persons of repute and everyday people. The program also gives exposure to under represented artists of all disciplines and in an effort to consistently engage a youthful audience, urban and alternative music specials are presented on a recurring basis.

“Initiative Radio” seeks to raise awareness of social conditions that affect our communities at the local, national and global levels. The majority of topics covered, do not ordinarily receive thorough exposure via commercial media outlets. The program gives a voice to disadvantaged persons and persons who are in positions of influence who seek to uplift the disadvantaged. With this balanced presentation listeners can learn about many opportunities available for tu8hem to participate in philanthropic enterprises, or at the least understand that individuals and organizations of altruistic vision do exist, regardless of socioeconomic challenges that plague society. This type of information can bring an optimistic outlook to listeners who are in need of inspiration in their personal and professional lives, whilst motivating others who are active philanthropists to keep up their tireless commitment to doing good works.

As a result of the programs capacity to entertain and educate diverse audiences with substantive content accompanied by relevant musical selections from every possible genre, “Initiative Radio” was recognized by station managers and program directors at other stations who immediately made the show an integral part of their respective core broadcast line-up. The program can now be heard on a daily basis on various stations around the nation.

In recognition of the program's commitment to quality and its' prompt transition to syndication, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz issued a proclamation declaring September 2nd 2008 “Initiative Radio Day For Positive Action In Brooklyn USA” on the program's one year anniversary.

The AMcK Initiative is a charitable organization under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.