The Innovation Bubble is Powered by Microsoft and Spectrums Networks.
Sessions & Speakers
Thursday
9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
A Special Message from Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris; White House Doctors on COVID-19 and the Black Community; Journalists Covering COVID-19 Reporters' Roundtable | Newsmaker Plenary
Health/Science
Social Justice/Community
Behind the Scenes
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A Special Message from Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris shares a special message with #NABJ21 Convention & Career Fair attendees.
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Vice President of the United States Kamala D. Harris
White House Doctors on COVID-19 and the Black Community
Leading White House medical official & NIH expert discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the Black Community.
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Journalists Covering COVID-19 Reporters’ Roundtable
Journalists from across the country discuss how their newsrooms covered COVID-19. The pandemic revealed health, education and income disparities. A digital divide prevented access to vaccinations as well as remote learning. What were some of the challenges and how did newsrooms report on communities of color?
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PANELIST
Aundrea Cline-ThomasEmmy Award-winning Journalist and General Assignment Reporter
WCBS
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
How to Pitch Your Book and Get Published | Authors Showcase
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Career/Management
Get expert advice on writing, pitching and promoting your story as the demand for acknowledging diverse voices continues to increase. How to get started and what sells. Should you self or mainstream publish with an agent?
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PANELIST
Kiara WilliamsAuthor and Co-host
Don Amiche vs. Everybody & Crysta & Kiara on KBLA 1580 talk radio
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
Keep 'Em Talking: How to Leverage Social Video to Elevate News Coverage | Powered by Microsoft | Innovation Bubble
An exploration of the latest social video platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Participants will learn how these platforms can aid in expanding their news coverage and impact.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Navigating in a Virtual Newsroom | Powered by Spectrum Networks | Innovation Bubble
Insights from the past year of Spectrum Networks virtual newsrooms. What we did, what we learned, and what practices we will keep in place moving forward.
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PANELIST
Ally BergerSenior Director, News
Spectrum Bay News 9/National Content Hub, Spectrum Networks
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
Lenfest Constellation News Leadership Initiative: Making the Dollars of Journalism Make Sense
Career/Management
This session will provide an overview of the business models of journalism. Participants will also receive a high-level introduction to basic financial concepts along with business and strategic planning so they can better pitch new initiatives and create projects that support their organization’s bottom line. These lessons are from The Lenfest Constellation News Leadership Initiative, a seven-month fellowship designed to provide career development support to mid-career media professionals of color.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
Master Writing Class: Investigative and Enterprise Reporting
Training/Technology
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
The biggest challenge with writing long form is grabbing and holding the audience’s attention. In this session you’ll learn how to build intrigue, where to place the story’s biggest surprise and how to position key elements. CBS2 Chicago News Director, Jeff Harris leads this writing seminar. His honors include three duPont-Columbia awards; three Peabody awards; four National Murrow awards; the National Headliner Grand award and two IRE Certificates. This is a Zoom Meeting. Attendees may actively participate to have their stories critiqued.
Please note that only the first 1,000 attendees will be admitted to this meeting.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
A Curve Ball for All Ages: Racism and the Power of Sports
Social Justice/Community
Not surprisingly, many Americans view the multi-billion dollar sports industry as the “great equalizer” for race relations in the USA. Dr. Deborah Stroman, a former NCAA DI basketball player and coach, will provide an analysis and historical context to structural racism in the United States. The What? Now What? and So What? continues to haunt and disturb social justice advocates who operate within or partner with sports and sports-related institutions. This thought-provoking session is uniquely designed to spark curiosity, foster dialogue, and present a clear understanding of the individual and organizational challenges of racial healing and collaborative decision-making.
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PRESENTER
Dr. Deborah StromanCEO, Center of Sport Business and Analytics;
Professor, University of North Carolina
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
Power Producing: A Master Class
Behind the Scenes
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
During this master class for producers you’ll hear from veterans at the top of their game. They’ll share samples of their best works and teach you how to produce award winning newscasts, win at breaking news and write engaging teases. It’s a live session so it’s a chance to ask your questions and network with peers and mentors.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
NABJ Presents: Leadership with Rashida Jones and Kim Godwin
Career/Management
Training/Technology
The Leadership Series will give you a glimpse of what it is like running an entire news division! Jones, President of MSNBC, and Godwin, President of ABC News, will talk about their own careers and will share strategies for adapting, innovating and transforming in the shifting landscape of the news business at MSNBC and ABC News. Godwin and Jones will be interviewed by two students from their alma maters, Sara Avery and Sierra Lyons.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS HERE by Wednesday, August 18th at 5 PM (ET): https://bit.ly/NAB21Leaders
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MODERATOR
Sara AveryRising Senior Journalism Major, Political Science Minor, Member of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College
Hampton University
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Breaking Through to Become a TV News Executive Session 3 | Leadership Academy | Powered by Toyota
Career/Management
This session features Local Television Station General Managers sharing the first-hand experience of climbing the ranks and navigating the challenges of becoming Multiplatform Leaders. These sessions will reveal the tools, resources, and leadership skills needed to help you in your quest to become a News Director and/or General Manager. Additionally, these sessions will highlight the effect of the Pandemic, Racial Injustice, and Economic Collapse on Jobs, Careers, and our Industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the newly created NABJ Leadership Academy Mentoring Program. APPLY NOW at http://bit.ly/NABJLeaders. Deadline midnight (PT) on September 17, 2021.
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PARTNER INTRO REMARKS
Paige BartonManager of Multicultural Dealer Relations and Strategy
Toyota Motor North America
PANELIST
Lyle BanksVice President and General Manager
Morgan Murphy Media (WISC-TV, Phase 3 Digital and Madison Magazine)
PANELIST
Ric HarrisPresident and General Manager
NBC10 Philadelphia/WCAU and Telemundo62/WWSI
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
The Storyteller’s Role in Disrupting Systemic Racism in Health | Powered by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Health/Science
Social Justice/Community
COVID-19 wreaked havoc on communities of color in America. Every crisis in this country does, due largely to the impact of structural racism. However, it’s the storytellers of the day who hold power to not only document this reality, but also inspire new policies, practices and narratives to help these communities begin to heal. Hear from influential voices in journalism and public health as they discuss their ongoing work—and the work they believe other storytellers can take on—to disrupt a centuries-old history of discrimination, most recently embodied by the nation’s inequitable pandemic response.
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MODERATOR
Allyn Brooks-LaSureVice President for Communications
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
PANELIST
Dr. Gilbert C. GeeProfessor
Department of Community Health Sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA
PANELIST
Dr. Monica WangAssociate Professor, Boston University (BU) School of Public Health;
Adjunct Associate Professor, Harvard School of Public Health; Associate Director of Narrative - BU Center for Antiracist Research
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Black America & The News: It's Complicated | Powered by The E.W. Scripps Company
Social Justice/Community
In 2018/2019, Scripps conducted groundbreaking research to identify how Black Americans view local news. The findings were striking. From how coverage is viewed to perceptions of local brands and anchors, major issues were uncovered that should have local newsrooms everywhere thinking about how they serve Black audiences.
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MODERATOR
Danyelle S.T. WrightVP, Employment & Labor Law & Chief Diversity Officer
The E.W. Scripps Company
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Reporting for Health Equity: Decoding Clinical Trials Luncheon | Powered by Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Health/Science
For the past year, COVID-19 has thrust reporting on clinical trial outcomes into the spotlight. The details of this reporting are vital to informed decision-making in the Black community, which continues to be disproportionately ravaged by the COVID-19 virus, and other health inequities. Most journalists aren’t well-versed in the vocabulary and processes of clinical trials, yet are expected to report on and cover this important information for their diverse audiences on short notice. As an extension of Takeda’s core values of building trust and community wellness, we recognize the importance of demystifying the pharmaceutical industry and clinical trials as a cornerstone to powering health equity in communities of color. Through this panel discussion, we aim to equip attendees with: an overview of the history of medical experimentation on Black bodies; a basic understanding of the clinical trial process today; and a glimpse at how Takeda is prioritizing health equity.
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PANELIST
Dr. Karen CorreaVice President and Head of Global Clinical Operations
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
PANELIST
Dr. Charlotte OwensHead of the R&D Center for Health Equity and Patient Affairs
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
PANELIST
Dr. Chris ReddickVice President and Head of R&D Health Equity
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
PANELIST
Dr. Lauren PowellVice President of Health Equity & Community Wellness
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Radically Redesigning Systems to Support Black Entrepreneurs Luncheon | Powered by Walton Family Foundation
Social Justice/Community
Training/Technology
Race remains a defining factor when looking at which entrepreneurs and organizations get funded and how much they receive, creating a landscape where leaders of color are vastly underrepresented across business and nonprofit sectors. Join Don and Liz Thompson, founders of Cleveland Avenue and the Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (The CAFE), as they speak to Black Enterprise executive editor-at-large Alfred Edmond Jr. about how their organizations address systemic inequities by finding and supporting leaders of color earlier in the talent pipeline. A roundtable featuring The 1954 Project’s “Luminaries” will showcase this CAFE initiative in action.
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PANELIST
Liz ThompsonPresident
The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (The CAFE)
PANELIST
Don ThompsonFounder and CEO, Cleveland Avenue;
Former President and CEO, McDonald's Corporation
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
Sports Task Force Mentor Luncheon | Powered by ESPN
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1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (ET)
CNN Reporter & Producer Workshop | Powered by CNN
Career/Management
On-Air
CNN hosts a workshop with some of the most enterprising and engaging reporters along with the best producers and digital journalists. Senior managers, on-air coaches and CNN correspondents will teach and challenge attendees on what it takes to make it to the network. During this half-day, small-group workshop, reporters and producers will build skills and apply practical techniques. Topics include enterprise reporting, on-air performance & presentation, editorial decision-making, producing philosophy, winning at breaking news, and building a digital strategy. All applicants must be an active NABJ member and registered to attend the 2021 convention. This session is an application-based session; accepted participants will receive the link to connect to the session.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
When the Words Suddenly Stopped by Vivian King and U.S. Civil Rights Trail: A Traveler’s Guide to the People, Places, and Events That Made the Movement by Deborah D. Douglas | Authors Showcase
Health/Science
Social Justice/Community
When the Words Suddenly Stopped details the journey of former TV journalist, Vivian King, who unexpectedly suffered a stroke that robbed her of her voice. From a grim diagnosis, she battled through Neurological Intensive Care and hours of therapy to what her doctors called a miracle. King received unparalleled medical care and believes her faith, family and friends converged to lead her from trauma to triumph. This book also discusses how birth control pills can cause a stroke.
U.S. Civil Rights Trail: A Traveler’s Guide to the People, Places, and Events that Made the Movement takes home-bound travelers and curious minds on an eye-opening journey inspired by the official Civil Rights Trail. A functional tour guidebook and narrative, it brings the movement’s most pivotal moments to life through illustrative storytelling, historical sites, and cultural experiences. As the 20th century Civil Rights Movement continues to serve as a blueprint for modern-day calls for justice and equality, the book helps readers understand the movement’s impact.
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AUTHOR
Deborah D. DouglasAuthor; Eugene S. Pulliam Distinguished Visiting Professor of Journalism, DePauw University;
Senior Leader, The OpEd Project
1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Deep Fakes: What You Need to Know | Innovation Bubble
“Deep Fake Tom Cruise” set off a storm of controversy. Animated photos of long-lost loved ones are inspiring wonder. In a world where fake video can be hard to tell from the real thing, what do journalists need to know about ethical issues and the technology used to create “deep fakes”?
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PANELIST
Bryan PardoProfessor of Computer Science and Professor of Radio, Television and Film
Northwestern University
PANELIST
Mark LloydClinical Professor of Communication
USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Who Runs It? Black Women Showrunners in News
Behind the Scenes
The session is designed to highlight the achievements of the phenomenal Black women who have beat the odds and are now executive producers for major news show. They’ll share their wisdom and how they fought their way to the top. They will shed light on how they make big editorial decisions in a hectic breaking news environment.
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MODERATOR
Nima AhmedDirector of Programming
CNN
PANELIST
Shawna ThomasExecutive Producer
CBS This Morning, CBS News
PANELIST
Emily AtkinsonExecutive Producer
The Situation Room, CNN
PANELIST
Melody TaylorExecutive Producer
Morning Express w/ Robin Meade, HLN
1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Reporting Safely While Overseas During a Pandemic
Career/Management
Hosted by NABJ’s Global Journalism Task Force, this session will explore how freelance and staff journalists can report safely from overseas during a pandemic. Panelists will share their own experiences from the past year and what planning and concrete steps they took to keep themselves safe while still getting the story. We will also discuss how reporters can convince their editors to let them go overseas, as well as resources including grants and fellowships that will provide funding.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
10 Reasons Why You Didn't Get That Job And How You Can Fix It
Career/Management
You feel like you do everything right when you apply for jobs. Your resume is on point and you feel like you’re highly qualified for the jobs you apply for. But you never hear back from potential employers and you can’t understand why. Hiring managers will cover 10 possible reasons why you didn’t even get an interview. They will also offer you tips on what you can do to better to get an interview, and possibly get that job!
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
How To Make Your Severe Weather Coverage Rock
On-Air
Weather is the number one reason people turn to local news especially during severe weather. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Severe Thunderstorms and Snowstorms are just a few examples of what reporters and anchors may find themselves covering. What are the specific elements you should be looking for to differentiate yourself from the competition? How can you use social media to find stories and become a rockstar for both your news organization and viewers? Participants will learn four (4) ways to make sure their severe weather coverage will rock the competition!
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1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (ET)
ESPN Master Class with ESPN’s Kaitee Daley | Powered by ESPN
Training/Technology
Join us for an ESPN Master Class with Kaitee Daley, Vice President of Social Media at ESPN. During this session, attendees will learn how in 2020 ESPN became the No. 1 sports media publisher for engagement with 4.2 billion total actions across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Kaitee will provide attendees with an industry-leading in-depth understanding of brand and social content strategy across platforms, on-air integrations, market, fan and media insights, content development, sports trends, fandom, and audience expansion, growth, and diversity.
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PANELIST
Maxwell KelleySenior Social Media Manager
ESPN
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (ET)
The Digital Newsroom: Reclaiming Your Space and the Future of Digital News | Powered by Yahoo!
Career/Management
This session will focus on the current state of the digital newsroom, as well as a look at the future of digital media.
Session 1: Tips and Tricks for Assessing Your Leadership Style While Working Remotely
The first 45 minutes will cover assessing your leadership style and executive presence while working remotely, including how to raise your profile and how to stay authentic to your personal brand mission.
Session 2: The Future of the Digital Newsrooms: Trends
The second 45 minutes will focus on the future of the digital newsroom including exploring trends and themes of sports journalism, betting, online gambling and personal investing. You will have the opportunity for live Q&A with our panelists.
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2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (ET)
Reckoning with Racism in Medicine | Powered by American Medical Association (AMA)
Health/Science
Social Justice/Community
Meaningful progress toward equity in medicine begins by first recognizing the existence of structural racism and then by making an honest effort to understand how profoundly systems of oppression and discrimination can influence a person’s chances for a healthy life. The American Medical Association this year released its strategic plan to Embed Racial Justice and Advance Health Equity, a far-reaching and multi-faceted effort that seeks, through partnerships and strategic initiatives and investments, to confront racism in medicine and to address the root causes of inequities that have led to devastating health consequences for the Black community and other historically marginalized groups during the COVID-19 pandemic and over generations. In this session, AMA President Dr. Gerald Harmon, a family physician in coastal South Carolina for more than 30 years, will help lead a discussion about the role of racism in medicine’s history, including at the AMA, and highlight efforts underway to address systemic inequities in health care and society, and to create a more equitable future in health care. Dr. Harmon will be joined by Dr. Aletha Maybank, the AMA’s Chief Health Equity Officer, and physician leaders from other national health organizations to explore the topics of racism and social justice in health care and what is being done to correct it.
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PANELIST
Dr. Aletha MaybankSenior Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer
American Medical Association
PANELIST
Dr. Brian D. SmedleyChief of Psychology in the Public Interest
American Psychological Association
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (ET)
The Forest is on Fire | Powered by Climate Nexus
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Health/Science
The weather is the tree, the climate is the forest, and your forest is on fire. In 2020, 285 weather and climate disasters exceeded at least $1 billion in damages. On record, it was the worst wildfire year in the history of California. The Atlantic hurricane season set records with 30 named and 12 landfalling storms in the United States. Not to mention, a historic, 14-hour-long derecho flattened corn fields across the Midwest. Learn to tell the climate story based on the facts. Hear from the experts on how to utilize visuals that will explain climate change in a way that won’t overwhelm your viewers. Also, how producers and reporters can avoid the trap of attributing weather events to climate change without substantiating facts.
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PANELIST
Dr. J. Marshall ShepherdProfessor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences
University of Georgia
PANELIST
Bernadette Woods PlackyChief Meteorologist and Climate Matters Program Director
Climate Central
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (ET)
How Apple News Works | Powered by Apple
Behind the Scenes
A panel of three Apple News editors, including Editor in Chief Lauren Kern, discusses the ins and outs of the Apple News app, including working with publisher partners and how the editorial team has tackled covering some of the biggest news events of the last year, from COVID-19 to the election and insurrection.
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MODERATOR
Lauren WilliamsCo-Founder and CEO
Capital B News
PANELIST
Cicely K. DysonEditor
Apple News
PANELIST
Duarte GeraldinoCo-Host
Apple News Today Podcast
PANELIST
Lauren KernEditor in Chief
Apple News
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. (ET)
The Women Leading the Day in News | Powered by ABC News and ABC News Owned Television Stations
Behind the Scenes
Career/Management
Many of the teams creating our morning and daytime news coverage are being led by powerful women Executive Producers, Journalists and News Leaders. These women will share their insights on what it takes to “lead the day” in news and their journey getting to these influential positions in morning and daytime television.
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2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
NABJ Board of Directors Candidates Forum
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2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Visual Storytelling During Breaking News | Powered by NBCUniversal
Training/Technology
Career/Management
NBCU Academy is the premier journalism training and development program from NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo News. NBCU Academy convenes our best and brightest to give you a window into how we produce for network news, cable, digital, streaming, and local. We are looking for innovative, energetic, and intensely curious journalists and producers interested in taking their craft to the next level. NBCU Academy 2021 is a selective program that will take admitted applicants on a journey – from story concept to creation.
VISUAL STORYTELLING DURING BREAKING NEWS: Want to be a cable news producer? Or work for an NBC-owned station? This master class will delve into the elements of producing impactful, memorable cable TV news segments with a competitive edge and will weave in lessons for producing thoughtful spot news reports that differentiate you from the competition. The class will also clearly lay out expectations for participants interested in applying to positions at MSNBC & owned stations.
*This is an application-based program. APPLY at https://bit.ly/NBCUAcademy21. Accepted applicants will receive Zoom credentials. There will be no sign-ups during #NABJ21. Please contact Kira Whales at kira.whales@nbcuni.com for technical questions.
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2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
The Major League Baseball Panel Featuring Ken Griffey Jr.
Behind the Scenes
This session will involve discussion around the on-field mastery and social contributions to Baseball from Black players over the course of the game’s history. The panelists will also share their perspectives on Black Major Leaguers’ cultural contributions to the game and examine how those contributions were covered by media in the past and currently in present day, including but not limited to – Ken Griffey Jr.’s signature sneakers and backwards cap to Deion Sanders’ dual-sport prowess – from Mookie Betts’ base celebrations to Tim Anderson’s unapologetic bat flip. The panel will include open dialogue diving into topics around Black participation on the field and in baseball journalism. Major League Baseball, MLB Network and MLB.com’s senior members will look to incorporate inclusionary ideas from the panel and from members in attendance.
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PANELIST
Ken Griffey Jr.Baseball Hall of Famer
3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Authenticity in Storytelling With the Real Women of WE tv | Powered by WE tv
Arts & Entertainment
At a time where unscripted series seem farther every day from reality, WE tv spotlights the real narratives guiding the lives of real women from all walks of life. Talk with Ebie Wright (The Mysterious Death of Eazy-E), Da Brat & Judy (Brat Loves Judy), and Monie Love (Marriage Boot Camp Hip Hop Edition) about their stories and why they’ve chosen to share their truth to connect with viewers.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne | Authors Showcase
Social Justice/Community
The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X is an historic biography that conjures a never-before-seen world of its protagonist, a work whose title is inspired by a phrase Malcolm X used when he saw his Hartford followers stir with purpose, as if the dead were truly arising, to overcome the obstacles of racism. Setting Malcolm’s life not only within the Nation of Islam but against the larger backdrop of American history, the book traces the life of one of the twentieth century’s most politically relevant figures “from street criminal to devoted moralist and revolutionary.”
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Winning at Mobile Programming
Learn about best practices to elevate mobile programming and grow engagement across emerging platforms.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Storytelling Doesn't Begin and End Inside the Newsroom
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
In recent years, we’ve seen journalists and content creators expand beyond traditional storytelling into the multimedia world of books, film, TV and podcasts and more – all in the mission of telling Black and Brown stories. We’ll learn about their journeys and get advice on how to successfully use our journalism skills in other forms of storytelling.
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MODERATOR
Tené CroomCo-chair NABJ Black Press Task Force;
President of Tené Croom Communications
PANELIST
Tiffany WaldenCo-chair NABJ Black Press Task Force;
Co-founder and editor-in-chief of The TRiiBE
PANELIST
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.President and CEO
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Lenfest Constellation News Leadership Initiative: How to Advance into Leadership in Journalism
Career/Management
The Lenfest Constellation News Leadership Initiative is a seven-month fellowship designed to provide career development support to mid-career media professionals of color. In this session, four of the fellows will discuss what they’ve learned about leadership in the program and in their work. They’ll share lessons and advice from their experience using what they learned to advance their careers and advocate for positive change at their organizations.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Finding Diversity on the Front Bench
Career/Management
Black producers and directors discuss their success stories of producing and directing in a white-dominated industry. Many times, being the only person of color in the room can be challenging when dealing with social injustice subjects such as Colin Kaepernick. This panel will discuss, in depth, how situations like these are handled. Additionally, the panel will share their experiences about what it’s like being in the minority in a decision-making position.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (ET)
Breaking Through to Become a TV News Executive Session 4 | Leadership Academy | Powered by Toyota
Career/Management
This session features Local Television Station General Managers sharing the first-hand experience of climbing the ranks and navigating the challenges of becoming Multiplatform Leaders. These sessions will reveal the tools, resources, and leadership skills needed to help you in your quest to become a News Director and/or General Manager. Additionally, these sessions will highlight the effect of the Pandemic, Racial Injustice, and Economic Collapse on Jobs, Careers, and our Industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the newly created NABJ Leadership Academy Mentoring Program. APPLY NOW at http://bit.ly/NABJLeaders. Deadline midnight (PT) on September 17, 2021.
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PARTNER INTRO REMARKS
Paige BartonManager of Multicultural Dealer Relations and Strategy
Toyota Motor North America
PANELIST
Kevin CrossPresident and General Manager
NBC 5/WMAQ, Telemundo Chicago/WSNS and NBC Sports Chicago
PANELIST
D’Artagnan BebelVice President and General Manager
FOX 26 KRIV-TV and UPN 20 KTXH-TV
3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (ET)
Powering Up Coverage on Environmental Justice | Powered by Environmental Defense Fund
Health/Science
Social Justice/Community
Environmental pollution affects everyone, but low-income communities and Black communities are often overburdened by water, air and land pollution and disproportionately hit by the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. Yet, most media outlets provide very limited coverage of environmental injustice issues, especially impacting Black communities. With the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan and increased focus on the climate crisis and a just transition to clean energy, media coverage centered on environmental justice should increase. This session includes a panel of environmental advocates and scholars who will review components of the American Jobs Plan. What does equitable infrastructure mean for frontline communities across the United States? How does it tie into environmental justice? In the 21st century, why must infrastructure include climate change demands? These are among the questions the session will answer.
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MODERATOR
Yanick Rice LambModerator
Professor of journalism, Howard University, Department of Media, Journalism and Film and Co-founder, FierceforBlackWomen.com
PANELIST
Rosemary EnobakhareAssociate Administrator for the Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
PANELIST
Cecile BrownCommunications
Environmental Defense Fund, Political Affairs & Climate
3:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. (ET)
The Future of Digital Media | Powered by Meredith Corporation
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to reshape their workforce, transform age-old business models and embrace emerging digital technologies. As an organization with footholds in many areas of digital media, Meredith’s brands have quickly reimagined their priorities to create a path forward. Our panelists will highlight how Meredith’s brands have adapted during the pandemic, while previewing the changes that will be necessary as we look for future growth opportunities. We will close with a Q&A session to discuss ways that media professionals and jobseekers should adapt to the new digital landscape.
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4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Black Male Media Project: Point of View | Powered by Yahoo! and TEGNA Foundation
Training/Technology
Career/Management
A provocative conversation from the point of view of notable Black men. This year, we are proud to hear from the multi-talented star and writer Hill Harper. Harper is an Ivy League-educated actor and author. He graduated at and near the top of his class at Brown University and Harvard, where he received a law degree and a master’s. He is also a headline actor on television and on stage, and the author of multiple books addressed to and written for Black people. The discussion is about the journey as Black men — from youth to professional work — becoming high profile media personalities, deflecting stereotypes, and developing unique approaches to executing and maintaining their role. Our moderator is Kevin Frazier, co-host of Entertainment Tonight, former co-anchor of The Insider, founder of HipHollywood, and guest host for several notable television shows.
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4:00 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
A Fireside Chat with CBS News & Stations Presidents of News, Reporters & Journalists | Powered by CBS
Behind the Scenes
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
A three-part workshop including a conversation moderated by CBS News’ Vladimir Duthiers with CBS News Presidents and Co-Heads Neeraj Khemlani and Wendy McMahon, followed by a discussion with CBS News correspondents Jericka Duncan, Jeff Pegues and CBS This Morning: Saturday co-host Michelle Miller, moderated by WCCO reporter Reg Chapman. Later, join Danya Bacchus as she moderates a panel with 60 Minutes+ executive producer Jonathan Blakely, producer Ayesha Siddiqi and correspondent Wesley Lowery as they discuss some of this season’s compelling journalism and how 60 Minutes+, the new streaming version of the classic Sunday newsmagazine, is continuing the world-renowned storytelling of 60 Minutes for a new generation.
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PANELIST
Jericka DuncanNational Correspondent and Anchor,
Sunday Edition of CBS Weekend News
PANELIST
Wesley LoweryPulitzer Prize-winning Journalist, Author & Correspondent
CBS News' 60 Minutes
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
The Spencer Haywood Rule: Battles, Basketball, and the Making of an American Iconoclast by Gary Washburn and Marc Spears | Authors Showcase
The Spencer Haywood Rule: Battles, Basketball, and the Making of an American Iconoclast chronicles the life of basketball pioneer Spencer Haywood in his own words. Haywood was the first player to play in the NBA under the “hardship” rule, meaning he was allowed to play without playing four years in college. But it was quite a struggle to get there, one that took him to the Supreme Court, where the great Thurgood Marshall was one of the seven justices to vote in favor of Haywood having the right to play in the NBA.
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4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Producing a Virtual Sports Show During the Pandemic | Innovation Bubble
Learn how to remotely produce a sports show/podcast using Streamyard and some tricks such as adding in custom lower thirds and videos.
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4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
The Man Cave Talk - Being Right with Career, Relationships, and Finances
Career/Management
When last checked, about 40 percent of NABJ membership consists of men. The fear is that number could decrease as men contemplate if they want to remain in the industry. Losing them would result in a lack of men in newsrooms to help lead the conversations on how stories impacting Black men should be covered. This workshop will help men thrive in their relationships, careers and finances. Experts will be on-hand as men talk candidly about challenges to obtain healthy relationships, generate wealth and thrive in their careers. Sometimes men need other men to get them to the next level.
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4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Too Natural and Too Much Melanin: A Data-Driven Conversation About Black Women Newscasters and Professionalism
On-Air
We often hear that there is a certain look of professionalism, in terms of hair texture, skin tone, body size, and first name, for Black women newscasters that dominates today’s television news. Yet, is that certain look that we hold top-of-mind warranted? In this session, researcher Autumn Caviness will answer this question via sharing the content analysis of 800+ online publicity photos of Black women newscasters working in the largest 100 TV Markets. This data will then springboard a pragmatic conversation with Director Kathleen McElroy, School of Journalism -The University of Texas, and newscasters Jennifer Sanders – KXAN-Austin and Amber Worthy, FOX-Carolina.
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PANELIST
Dr. Kathleen McElroyDirector, School of Journalism
The University of Texas at Austin
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Unapologetically PR/Authentically Black: A Conversation with Iconic Leadership
Media Relations/Communications
The silos of PR, marketing and sales are beginning to fall away. While the influencer sector bridges the traditional divide of editorial and paid-for marketing, PR professionals work with an organization, company, government, or individual to cultivate a story of a client’s reputation, idea, product, position, or accomplishment in a positive light. Unlike advertisers, who tell stories through paid methods, PR professionals tell their stories through unpaid or earned media. The iconic panel offers insights on transitioning to PR. Join us for an upfront conversation with trailblazers. Learn how they made major strides in our industry sharing their C-Suite journey.
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PANELIST
Misty StarksFounder/Owner
Misty Blue Media and 3B Resources Group Public Relations
6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
Networking Reception | Powered by University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
Join the UMD Philip Merrill College of Journalism for an hour of online networking. Connect with fellow Merrill alumni and faculty and staff of Merrill College.
Host:
- Katie Aune
Speakers:
- Sandra Dawson Long Weaver – Co-Founder, NABJ
- Lucy Dalglish – Dean, University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
- Rafael Lorente – Associate Dean, University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
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6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
Reception | Powered by Morgan State School of Global Journalism & Communication
Meet with NABJ Co-Founder DeWayne Wickham, founding Dean of Morgan’s School of Global Journalism & Communication. Hear about its faculty, students, academic and corporate partners who have helped transform the SGJC into an outstanding program of journalism and mass communications.
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6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
Transforming Local Journalism Through Serving Communities of Color | Networking Virtual Reception| Powered by Gannett/USA TODAY
Using lessons learned at the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, Gannett is growing digital subscriptions through targeted outreach to communities of color. Cynthia Benjamin and Alesha Williams-Boyd will share how the work, supported by the Knight-Lenfest Table Stakes program and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, is transforming relationships in the communities we serve.
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6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
Life at the Financial Times | Powered by Financial Times Publications LLC
Join the FT’s Head of U.S. HR & Global Projects Kirsty Devine and U.S. Assistant Managing Editor Jennifer Ablan as they share an overview of the FT Group and strategic priorities across our departments and regions. An informal networking session will follow.
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HOST
SPEAKER
Kirsty DevineHead of U.S. HR & Global Projects
Financial Times Publications LLC
6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
When Journalism Meets the C-Suite | Reception | Powered by Walgreens
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Media Relations/Communications
Health/Science
Think your inquisitive nature, creativity and writing skills are limited to just one career? Think again. Join the Walgreens networking reception to connect with other attendees and members of our corporate communications team as they share how journalism talents are not only transferrable, but can be honed and appreciated in corporate America, specifically through corporate storytelling. They will also discuss how to make an impact for good – and touch the lives of millions – through corporate social responsibility, as evidenced by Walgreens’ vaccine and health equity work. Special guest: Walgreens Global Chief Diversity Officer Carlos Cubia. All registered attendees are welcome to attend.
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HOST
Carlos CubiaSenior Vice President, Global Chief Diversity Officer
Walgreens Boots Alliance
HOST
Candace JohnsonCorporate Social Responsibility/Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Communications
Walgreens Boots Alliance
SPEAKER
Aaron RadeletSenior Vice President, Global Chief Communications Officer
Walgreens Boots Alliance
SPEAKER
Morry SmulevitzVice President of Global Corporate Communications
Walgreens Boots Alliance
SPEAKER
Fiona OrtizDirector of Financial Communications and CSR Reporting
Walgreens Boots Alliance
6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
Black Women & Audio Reception | Powered by Spotify
Spotify leaders share insights on how to amplify the Black woman’s voice at Spotify.
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HOST
Tierra PattersonGlobal TA Partner
Content
6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (ET)
MMCA/STARZ Media Diversity Excellence Awards Reception
MMCA is proud to partner with STARZ to host a VIP networking reception at the #NABJ21 Virtual Convention & Career Fair on Thursday, August 19, from 6-7 P.M. ET. The celebrity-driven reception is a networking event for registered NABJ members and participating policymakers, influencers and business leaders. The first 100 registered guests will receive free cocktail kits. Register here: https://bit.ly/3xr0of9. Audience engagement activities include games led by our event host and a featured cocktail mixing demonstration by our mixologist. Guests will also be treated to a special advance preview of an upcoming STARZ feature and Q&A with cast members. All registered attendees are invited to attend.
Host:
- David Morgan – President, MMCA
Speakers:
- Karine Jean Pierre – White House Deputy Press Secretary
- Trymaine Lee – Emmy and Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist
- Kelley L. Carter – Senior Writer, The Undefeated
- Petina Miller – Actress, Singer and Cast Member, STARZ Raising Kanan
- Olga Torress – Chair, MMCA
- Licy Do Canto – Trustee, MMCA
- Hailey Kilgore – Raising Kanan
- Ambers Stevens West – Run The World
- Corbin Reid – Run The World
- Ajiona Alexus – BMF
- Michole Briana White – BMF
- Dea Pierre – Top Mixologist
- Louis Reeves – New York State Manager, Beam Suntory
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