Juma Inniss is the founder and director of the Message. He has 15 years of experience as a media literacy education practitioner and activist, engaging thousands of students (grades 6-12) in the US and Canada through concerts, workshops, and talks. His expertise in youth developmental health and media literacy has been featured in outlets like CBS and GBH News in Boston, and education publications internationally. Juma is also a marketing communications consultant, working with nonprofits and businesses to strengthen their brand messaging and strategic communications.
His work started in Boston, MA as a rapper/producer and program facilitator, helping teens develop social consciousness and critical thinking skills through music. He has written and produced three full-length albums: ICONOCLAST, Fall of the Giants, and Blast Music which features a guest appearance from Grammy award winning singer, John Legend. His music has been seen and heard on major music and retail platforms including VH1 and PUMA North America.
Juma serves on the Board of Directors for Media Literacy Now, the leading grassroots organization for media literacy education policy advocacy in US. He holds a B.S. in Marketing Communications from Emerson College and an A.S. in Broadcasting from the New England Institute of Art.