|
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF POSITIVE TELEVISION?
The goal of Positive Television is to create a television network, which will generate publicity for the many groups already making positive change and to assist developing groups and individuals flourish. Prabhat's belief is that there are already many positive things being done all around the world, so televising charity related programs and events should inspire more people to get involved. Prabhat has said, "People have a fascination with all aspects of celebrity life, so I wanted to create a network that focuses on the giving done by celebrities and use that celebrity power for the highest good."
He is deeply committed to making this network happen and feels that it can be a major tool for improving the lives of people around the world. He has assembled a staff of friends, family, and excited new friends that believe in this network. We at Positive Television believe that people who learn about the goals of this network will want to be involved and we hope you are as passionate about this idea as we are and you decide to get involved.
 Prabhat Gautam, CEO
Prabhat has had a strong desire to be involved in issues such as world hunger, homelessness, finding cures to diseases, promoting organ, tissue, and bone marrow donation, and building hospitals in under-developed countries. He spent much of his time in college volunteering with a local community television station and produced and hosted programs that worked to raise awareness about issues that matter to young adults.
Prabhat has since continued his commitment to volunteerism with his work with the Center for the Advancement of Nonviolence, Doctors Without Borders, Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Heart Association, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Entertainment Industry Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation, Giving Back Fund, Salvation Army, Project Angel Food, ACLU, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, AmeriCorps, Dream Center, PETA, Humane Society of the United States, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Children's Wish Foundation. When asked about his volunteerism, he says, "Each experience has been rewarding, but I know I need to do so much more." His desire is to create something that will highlight the good that is going on in the world with the hope that more people will get involved in making even greater good happen.
Prabhat has believed in volunteering his time and working to promote charities since he was a youngster in Oklahoma. In 1993, his father died from a heart attack at the age of 49. Prabhat was only 16 years old and this loss took him on a journey where he would be consumed with trying to figure out ways to eliminate preventable death. In 2001, Prabhat was given the honor of donating bone marrow to a 16 year old girl named Anka, who had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Sadly, she would die one year later, but her life and death would become the focus of Prabhat's life's work. Two months after the loss of Anka, Prabhat experiences loss again with the death of Rachel, an 18 year old child whose wish he worked on as a Make A Wish Foundation volunteer. The losses of Rachel and Anka still motivate him to work towards finding a cure for cancer and all other causes of premature death.
In September of 2001, Prabhat was visiting his sister in New York and was scheduled to fly back to Los Angles on September 11, 2001. He often tells a story about what it is like to see that city for the first time during that trip and within a couple days seeing a city that is completely devastated. Prabhat felt great sadness for all those who lost their lives that day and says that he can' t ever go forward without looking back and realizing how lucky he was and now he has a responsibility to use his life to help everyone he possibly can.
POSITIVE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD
 Jane Slater has her Bachelor's in International Relations from Connecticut College. In 2005, she moved from Cape Cod to San Francisco to get involved in San Francisco thriving nonprofit sector. Jane is currently a full-time fundraiser for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and a volunteer for Neighbors without Borders. Jane s nonprofit voyage began in Managua Nicaragua as a volunteer for Casa Alianza, a residential center for street children. In her spare time Jane is often found dancing.
 Nicole Cates has her Bachelor of Arts from Oral Roberts University. She enjoys volunteering at local churches and theatres as well as teaching theatre to 7th and 8th grade students in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Nicole is especially concerned about issues relating to poverty and women's rights.
 Dipa Gautam Thakar was born and raised in Oklahoma. She earned her Master's in Public Health (MPH) in Health Education at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2001. During her college years she was very active with the American Red Cross, Oklahoma SAFE Kids Coalition, local hospitals, the Indian Student Association, and other campus organizations. She has worked for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center as an Assistant Resource Development & Proposal Services coordinator. In 2002 Dipa became a part of the CDC funded Heart of OKC Project for teen pregnancy prevention at Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (a nonprofit organization voicing the needs of Oklahoma's children). Currently Dipa lives in Chicago with her husband and their two children.
 Rory Freedman is a Los Angeles based activist who writes letters, signs petitions, sends E-mails, contacts politicians, and volunteers her time in support of multiple causes. She is also the #1 NY Times and internationally best-selling co-author of Skinny Bitch.
 Angela Teubert has her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from
Central Michigan University and is currently working on a Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing at Wayne State. She runs the annual marathon for Breast Cancer 3-Day and volunteers for AIDS Partnership Michigan. Angela has worked for United Way Community Services in Detroit as an Information and Referral Specialist and also worked as a Dental Assistant and a Nursing Assistant, so helping others is a part of her everyday life and a must in whatever job she takes. Angela is also certified by the American Heart Association for CPR & AED for healthcare
providers. Her passion to help others carries over to her willingness to donate her own hair to kids with cancer as a part of Locks of Love.
 Kristy
Anderson is a recent honors graduate from the University of California Los Angeles with a B.A. in Geography/Environmental Studies. She is the co-founder and former President of the UCLA student organization, Bruins for Animals, as well as former Secretary for the Geography Club. She enjoys dedicating her time to Ars Terra, Animal Acres, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and People for the Ethical Treatment for Animals. Kristy is especially concerned with issues relating to the environment, animal rights and human rights.
 Cheryl Leahy is the general counsel for Compassion Over Killing. (www.cok.net), which is a nonprofit animal advocacy organization based out of Washington, D.C. Working to end animal abuse since 1995, Compassion Over Killing focuses on cruelty to animals in agriculture and promotes vegetarian eating as a way to build a kinder world for all of us, both human and nonhuman. Her position is aimed at targeting large-scale abuse of farmed animals through litigation. Cheryl received a J.D. from UCLA School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Chicago in Environmental Studies. She is particularly concerned with issues relating to animal abuse and promotion of vegetarian eating as a way to combat abuse to animals and promote a healthy environment.
 Elena Cromeyer has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oklahoma. She is currently pursuing a Master's of Public Health from NYU. Elena has lived in Latin American, various European countries and the US. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and speaks Italian and French proficiently. Elena is especially concerned with the current health care system and hopes to work towards seeing universal health care become a reality in this country. Elena's long-term goals include health promotion through eating and exercise in at-risk areas and among minority populations in this country.
 Jessica McKennon has been committed to volunteer work and psychotherapeutic intervention/prevention with HIV/AIDS and Cultural Diversity within the HIV/AIDS community. Jessica is a psychoanalyst currently working at the Infectious Disease Institute at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center providing therapy and prevention for people living with HIV/AIDS. Prevention includes psychotherapeutic intervention for personality disorders, substance abuse issues, and depression/bipolar. Prevention also encompasses teaching safer sex practices to people living with HIV/AIDS to reduce transmission associated with risky behavior. She also works in HIV prevention with gay youth, sponsoring a gay youth group called the YGLA. Jessica is committed to increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS within different cultural contexts including the Hispanic, African-American, Native-American, Women, and gay populations. Jessica volunteered to serve as camp counselor for a HIV/AIDS kids camp in Oklahoma. She donates to various issues such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, breast cancer, leukemia, and cystic fibrosis by fund raising for and participating in 5k and
8k runs, and marathons.
 Avin Bansal has his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Stanford University, and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He has a background in finance and investing, and is interested in entertainment and consumer products & services. Avin is especially concerned about issues relating to bone marrow availability in minority communities.
 Kevin Lien has his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota. He enjoys volunteering his time with LA Animal Services and various online animal rights communities. Kevin is especially concerned about issues relating to animal rights.
 Zarah Hedge is a third year veterinary student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. She received her Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University in 2005. She enjoys volunteering her time at Animal Acres, Bestfriends Catnippers Feral Cat TNR Clinics, and University organizations such as the Shelter Medicine Club & the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. Zarah is especially concerned about issues relating to animal rights and the environment.
 Malini Sahu, MD has her Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Boston University. She enjoys spending countless hours caring for the homeless, prisoners, and substance abuse patients that come to Bellevue Hospital in New York City. Malini is especially concerned about issues relating to women s health and empowerment and she supports organizations such as Sakhi.
 Kim Polloard has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University and is working on her Ph.D. in Biology at UCLA. She has volunteered in homeless assistance, recycling programs, tutoring, senior centers, and public science education. Kim is particularly focused on issues related to education, homelessness, and sustainability.
 Chris DeBenedetto has his Bachelor of Arts in Animation from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Currently he works in the independent film industry as a First Assistant Director. In the future he plans on creating his own foundation that gives the next generation a voice through film and
television.
 Amanda Sager has her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology in NY. She enjoys volunteering her
time doing health promotion activities with various nonprofit organizations. Amanda is especially concerned about issues related to plant based nutrition and disease prevention with a special interest in raw foods for optimum health. Amanda is the Air Forces point of contact for all levels of vegetarian nutrition.
 Alex Carey is originally from Massachusetts and has been an avid volunteer since 1983. He first volunteered with the Cape Cod Women s Cancer Collective organizing fundraising events for breast cancer research, and soon found a keen interest in the developmentally disabled while working with Best Buddies and Nauset Inc. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Theatre and Dance, he has committed himself to the rights of the unemployed here in Los Angeles. Alex whole-heartedly believes in the vision of Positive Television and believes it perfectly highlights the work of charities through the exposure given to celebrities.
 Briana Mirchel received her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Biology at SUNY Stony Brook. She is currently on her way to
becoming a veterinarian, with just 2 short years to go. In between studying, Briana enjoys volunteering for a variety of animal related
organizations doing anything from spay and neuter clinics for Best Friends to working with Animal Acres on stockyard investigations looking for evidence of animal cruelty. Although her primary focus is on animals, Briana is interested in all issues regarding the health and well-being of people, especially children.
 Craig Casey is a musician and teacher in New York City. Farm Sanctuary, Rabbit Rescue & Rehabilitation, Amnesty International, and
American Civil Liberties Union are organizations that he supports and believes you should check out! He celebrates when he sees strides against bigotry, poverty, political partisanship, and despotism.
 Diane Eason
is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma (B.A.) and California Western School of Law ( J.D.). Diane has a history of work experience in the non-profit field ranging from direct legal service, to grant writing, to program design. Currently Diane works full-time with a nonprofit legal agency providing free legal services to immigrant children. Over the years, Diane has volunteered with such programs as the Legal Aid
Foundation of Los Angeles, the International Rescue Commission, and the International Movement Against All Forms of Racism and Discrimination. Diane is especially concerned about issues relating to children's rights, international human rights, and poverty alleviation.
 Karen Leventhal is the Director of the Tarjan Center Service Inclusion Project, which builds community partnerships that engage individuals with disabilities as givers of community service and volunteerism. Karen holds a Master's degree in Community Development from the University of California at Davis and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Rochester. She is passionate about service and is an AmeriCorps*
VISTA alumnus and former AmeriCorps outreach consultant. Karen strives to play a role in creating vibrant communities that reflect and draw upon the gifts of all citizens.
 Kristi Sawyer is a House Parent, along with her husband David, for a teenage group home in Birmingham, Alabama. Together they reach out to girls who have been taken into the custody of the state due to abuse and neglect. Kristi and David met while serving inner-city kids through their work at Metro Kidz, which is a ministry housed at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. Kristi s passion is to be the hand that pulls people out of their current
situations and encourages them down the path of personal success.
 <Neha Bansal has
her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. She enjoys volunteering
her time with various youth and women's organizations, such as the Family Justice Center. Neha is especially concerned about issues relating to fighting Leukemia, educating the youth, and helping victims of domestic violence.
 Pratibha Gautam, Esq., works and lives in New York City. Some of the organizations she supports are Farm Sanctuary, Rabbit Rescue Rehabilitation, Sierra Club, and Humane Society. Pratibha is interested in causes that battle animal abuse, environmental degradation, and human rights violations.
 Alicia has her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Saint Anselm College. She has done inner-city volunteer work in Philadelphia, tutored troubled teens in
Manchester, New Hampshire, helped build houses for low-income families in Kentucky, and photographed face-painted children at the annual carnival of the Elizabeth Glazer Peditatric AIDS Foundation in Los Angeles. Alicia is especially concerned about issues relating to animal rights and poverty.
 Ann Spalatin is proud of her time with the Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa as a Girls Education and Empowerment Agent. After returning to the United States, she chose to pursue her current Master's degree of Public Administration in International Management at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ann is strengthening her project management, foreign language, and cross-cultural skills for a career in child advocacy. Her professional aspirations center around the alleviation of suffering for children through education, development assistance, and
leadership training. Ann s professional background includes administrative positions in both the corporate and nonprofit world where she has worked at a graphic design firm, talent agency, political consulting group, and two child advocacy organizations. Past internships include work in television as a newsroom and production aide and as a State and Congressional Page as well as a White House Intern for then Vice President Al Gore. Ann s volunteer experience is vast, including supporting women through a crisis hotline, supervising children and facilitating interventions at a domestic violence shelter, and recruiting and managing volunteers for an art therapy program for women.
 Heather Chandler has an MBA from the University of Georgia, and is currently working in accounting and information management for the John M. Lloyd Foundation, a philanthropic organization. She resides in Los Angeles and is primarily active in the animal rights movement, as well as advocating for gay rights and a free press.
 Roxy Caponetto is a world traveler and currently resides in Santa Monica, California. She has her Foreign Languages Bachelor's from the University of Venice, Italy. Roxy is especially concerned about issues relating to animal rights and is also proud to be a Greenpeace supporter. She insists on feeding all the abandoned animals that cross her path and then finding them a loving home.
|
