TOTALLY POSITIVE PRODUCTIONS CONTINUES TO BE A POSITIVE LIGHT

Tajudeena Jones is the founder of Totally Positive Productions. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TAJUDEENA JONES.
Tajudeena Jones is the founder of Totally Positive Productions. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TAJUDEENA JONES.

 Totally Positive Productions continues to be a positive light

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Totally Positive Productions’ mission is to produce
positive rap, dance, singing and spoken word talent competitions, as well as produce positive off the street activities for young people and adults. The goal is to deter people from drug and gang involvement.

“It’s important to change the behaviors and get the
youth, as well as the adults, in the mindset of something that
is enjoyable before we get into the education aspect,” said
Jones, a Veteran and former Veterans Affairs employee.

Each Wednesday, the Totally Positive Productions
Variety Show airs. IT’s first home was OCP Inspirational
Television, but it is looking for a new network. Jones got the
idea for the televised variety show from one of the organization’s board members. The Variety Show features artists Totally Positive Productions works with, as well as community members and people on the organization’s board.
Artists participate in an interview with Jones, then have
the opportunity to perform their work. There’s also Mom’s
Corner, with Jones’ mother giving her perspective on things.
Because of its popularity and viewership, the show went
from an half hour show to an hourlong show.

“We’ve impacted lives, a lot of youths’ lives, a lot of
parent’s lives and guardians and just knowing we’ve made a
positive change,” Jones said, when asked what has kept the
organization going for 28 years.

Jones is happy, regardless of any trials or tribulations
that might be going on. When he thinks about Totally Positive
Productions, the first thing that comes to mind is being
a positive force; to be a positive light to youth and their
families. The organization hosts cultural enrichment trips,
which are free of charge to the participants. The organization
ensures the participants receive a meal.

Totally Positive Productions has seen a change in the
participants in the programs, not just a change in their behaviors, but a change of the mindset. He wants the participants to feel they are in a safe space, but also wants them to know how to conduct themselves in that space. Jones has made sure that he reinforces that the creative expression does not have any bad language and is not sexually explicit.

“We’re here to change every aspect of behavior and lifestyle.
If we can get that, we’re making a change in their lives,” Jones said, adding that his mission is to please God.

In the beginning Jones had to search out funders and
supporters. Now, people are coming to him to support Totally
Positive Productions and its mission.

Jones said the key to keeping the participants engaged in the
program is giving them time and a place where they know people are listening to them. The staff doesn’t have a problem listening to the participants. Jones believes the household is still essential to the changes that happen with the participants. He promises that those who participate in the program will change. The key is the support they have outside the program. That is why Jones asks for the guardians and parents to buy-in, with both the young
person and the parent and guardian to work together.

Jones wants to reach more young people with Totally Positive Productions. He wants to do that with Positive Rap, P-Rap, rap with no cursing or sexually explicit language. He believes the genre is suitable for all ages.

“Be that light to the world, especially the young people that
are in Chicagoland,” Jones said.

For more information about Totally Positive Productions,
visit www.totallypositiveproductions.com or email
tpp@totallypositiveproductions.com; or call 773-488-9553.

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