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Brooklyn Activists Star in Travel Series Promoting Worldwide Philanthropy

"The Global Empowerment Project," an international travel show in the making, follows a group of friends as they give back to communities across the world and highlight local efforts to make change.
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The Global Empowerment Project

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — An upcoming series documenting the international travels of three Brooklyn activists looks to get viewers out of their comfort zones to change their communities.

The Global Empowerment Project,” a “socially relevant” show in the making, follows a group of friends as they give back to impoverished areas across the world.

The series will also showcase resources in different countries to highlight locals’ humanitarian efforts.

Dr. Robert Gore, emergency medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at Kings County Hospital, led the team to Haiti in the show’s pilot.

“Our goal is to create a travel show that focuses on philanthropy and motivates people to get involved,” Gore said.

“We want to show what people are doing in their respective countries to help one another — people always see others coming from the outside to do work, but we can learn from these folks to build and network and address community development worldwide.”

In the project’s first episode, Gore, filmmaker Brian “Deka” Paupaw and photographer Marc Baptiste partnered with a local nonprofit to bring donated surfboards to youth in Jacmel, Haiti. Gore also provided emergency medical training to groups in the region.

The team hopes to depict a balance of work and play in the series with elements of adventure in each installment, whether it’s hanging with local artists or catching waves on the coast. Ideas for future travel locations include Brazil and Cuba.

“It’s important to showcase men of color doing something like this,” Gore said. “You don’t see us in so many different aspects of the media, aside from hip hop and sports.

“When you see someone who looks like you, coming from your neighborhood in a place you’ve never heard of, that goal becomes something tangible for you.”

While the team hopes to reach a variety of viewers, Gore added that they are looking to target “urban millennials” who are politically active and interested in volunteerism.

The friends liken “The Global Empowerment Project” to Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown,” and said they are shopping the series to major networks.

The show’s trailer will premiere at the Haiti Cultural Exchange Film Fest in May, and the team is looking to raise money for the pilot’s post-production.