Chelsea Mendes, a devoted 19-year-old political science main at Spelman Faculty, is taking her ardour for social justice and advocacy to new heights with the upcoming “Enjoying by the Guidelines” symposium on April 22, 2025. The occasion goals to coach college students and creatives within the Atlanta College Middle in regards to the complexities of mental property rights and contract negotiation by means of a novel recreation show-inspired format.
Mendes, who has maintained an honors GPA whereas juggling internships and management roles, attracts inspiration from her private experiences because the daughter of artists. Witnessing her mom navigate the leisure business’s treacherous waters highlighted the pressing want for creatives to know their rights and defend their work. “My aim has at all times been to bridge the hole between creators and the authorized instruments they should thrive,” Mendes stated, reflecting on her motivation for organizing the symposium.
An Interactive Method
In 2024, the symposium featured a networking dinner with illustration from main corporations similar to Warner Bros. and Foot Locker. This yr, Mendes is taking “Enjoying by the Guidelines” to the subsequent stage. The symposium, designed to demystify the often-overwhelming ideas surrounding IP possession, will use interactive actions similar to “Hit or Miss: Copyright Version,” the place members will analyze landmark copyright disputes, and “The Deal Is Proper,” the place members get hands-on expertise in contract evaluation and negotiation ways. The occasion will even function insights from outstanding panelists, together with revered content material creators Trinity Aniyah and Naima Eggleston, and a networking dinner with Atlanta-based sports activities journalist Janerika Owens.
Recognizing the challenges many AUC creatives face, Mendes emphasizes that understanding IP rights is important for establishing sustainable careers in at present’s aggressive panorama. “Many creatives don’t understand the worth of their mental property or how simply it may be compromised with out correct protections in place,” she famous.
Along with enriching attendees’ data, the symposium will join members with business professionals from famend organizations, together with William Morris Endeavor, to foster mentorship and internship alternatives. Mendes hopes these connections will support college students in constructing their networks whereas gaining sensible insights into the realities of the artistic business.
“We’re giving attendees the instruments and relationships they should take management of each their artistic {and professional} futures,” stated Mendes.
Wanting Forward
Mendes envisions “Enjoying by the Guidelines” evolving right into a cornerstone occasion for HBCU creatives, doubtlessly blossoming right into a nonprofit group that provides year-round help for artists and entrepreneurs. “This might embody professional bono authorized clinics the place student-athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs can obtain skilled steerage to guard their companies, safe copyrights, and navigate the complexities of mental property with out monetary boundaries,” she defined.
Because the symposium approaches, Mendes’ dedication to empowering underrepresented voices by means of training is about to considerably impression and encourage a brand new technology of creators, entrepreneurs, and advocates.
After attending legislation faculty, Mendes plans to make use of her expertise to turn out to be a managing accomplice of her personal consulting mental property agency. Her final aim is to advocate for artists, entrepreneurs, and creators by offering them with the authorized instruments and methods they should defend their work and create lasting legacies.
