The Mission
Ode 2 Change is a movement initiated in 2009 by Marcus T. Wiley, "Ode2Change is a movement of HOPE, one of Strength , and Unity!," says it's founder. The project was born of a dream, the intention of this movement is simple, to inspire the greatness in others while raising awareness of social plights. " I wanted to see things differently, I've always been an out-caster, a rouge so to speak. I contribute my mentality to this, I desire to see things differently and view people greater than they often view themselves. I've had my share of failure and have seen the diversity of change in my own life and fully understand how empowering change can be." Marcus would launch one of the most thought provoking social marketing print campaigns, raising awareness of social plights through the employment of avant garde concepts Ode 2 Change presents breath taking images. The cast of this campaign is just a diverse as their concepts, people from all over have joined the movement in a hope to promote confrontation of the causes. "I wanted to find average people who wanted to speak out against our current practices, people who really desired to see change. Individuals who desire to move past tattered traditions and decrepit thinking. I found such a diverse group of people , once I found these people I thought how in the world do I spin this? I knew we all had one thing in common, we all desired to see change. I sat with each individual to get a better idea of how to best express the message. After meeting with everyone I discovered such talent and skill, I decided the best thing I could do is promote the message through the different skills of everyone. This would show people it is possible to make a difference by simply being you. It expressed the diversity of change yet the unity needed to achieve it. "
HIV/AIDS was the first task for Ode 2 Change. "HIV/AIDS is something very close to my heart, I have personally witnessed the dramatic influence ignorance can have on the friends/families of individuals who are currently battling HIV. Fear is a product of ignorance and I've witnessed many people just shut down because of the overwhelming fear associated with HIV/AIDS. Families completely rejecting their kin, friends slowly fading. The absolute worst thing one can do to another is abandon them. The complex simplicity of the whole issue is, HIV (+) individuals or those living with AIDS have knowledge of their status/position while many others do not. Instead of confronting themselves they attack that which they lack in others (Truth). It takes courage, to acknowledge yourself and to account for your indiscretions! These individuals who take responsibility should be honored and not rejected, knowledge is to be shared not hoarded. We often fear knowledge because once confronted with it we have a proclivity to react to it, how we react is subjective to the character of the individual." Concepts such as "cover yourself, collected, and duck - duck +," have gained great response from the community. "Cover yourself, is one of my FAVORITE collections from the campaign. Cover yourself is all about truth, and the power that lies within. You see, we can not go into a battle without a weapon, I feel that truth is the best weapon in any battle. The goal of cover-yourself is to encourage individuals to get tested and to cover themselves with truth! There is a certain sense of power that is associated with truth, I wanted to encourage the pursuit of that power. The individuals who have knowledge of their positions in the battle of HIV/AIDS possess the power to ensure a healthy life for themselves and those in whom they encounter intimately."Ode 2 Change has done a wonderful job of inspiring, and encouraging others to promote truth from within in-turn, spreading that power externally. " We often are not truly aware or conscious of these plights until we are personally confronted by their snarls of fear. The majority of our youth view HIV/AIDS as something distant and far, the reality is our enemy resides among us. We can not conqueror that which we refuse to confront, positive assumption is not effective in the battle of these plights. My goal with this project is to spark a flame of inspirational self-confrontation, accountability and a blaze of HOPE for ALL! Our selfish thinking coupled with the actions of these thoughts have led us here, I intend to go up from this place and enter into the promise of Agape. Challenging the wise, empowering the weak, and promoting truth to the unlearned I intend to make a difference with my life, I encourage and invite others to join." Armed with truth, driven by faith and strengthen by grace, this movement is set to impact society in a mighty way!
"Becoming the Change - Join the Movement!"
