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Sessions & Speakers
Wednesday
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. (ET)
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson and Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce | Authors Showcase
Social Justice/Community
Arts & Entertainment
The Kindest Lie examines the heartbreaking divide between black and white communities and plumbs the emotional depths of struggles faced by ordinary Americans in the wake of the financial crisis. It’s the story of an unlikely friendship between a successful Black engineer searching for the son she walked away from and a poor white boy in a dying Indiana factory town. Capturing the profound racial injustices and class inequalities roiling society, this debut novel offers an unflinching view of motherhood in contemporary America and the never-ending quest to achieve the American Dream.
Wild Women and the Blues through two settings, brings Jazz-age Chicago to vibrant life linking the stories of an ambitious chorus girl and a modern-day film student, coming to grips with loss, forgiveness, and the limitations and surprises of love. 1925: Chicago is the jazz capital of the world and the Dreamland Café is the ritziest black-and-tan club in town. Honoree Dalcour, a sharecropper’s daughter, is willing to dance every night on her way to the top. 2015: Film student Sawyer Hayes arrives at the bedside of 110-year-old Honoree Dalcour, reeling from a devastating loss. His hopes of discovering a lost Oscar Micheaux film rests on this formidable woman.
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9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. (ET)
We Have New Leaders and New Titles, But What About More Power?
Social Justice/Community
Newsrooms created new leadership positions to help address institutional challenges that resurfaced in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Black Lives Matter protests and calls for change from within. These leaders face challenges on several fronts: Working to improve the coverage of Black people and the treatment of Black journalists, as well as intersectional issues regarding coverage and treatment of women, the LGBTQ community and people of other races who have been marginalized. We will discuss how equipped they are to tackle those challenges and whether any changes will last.
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PANELIST
Evelyn HsuCo-Executive Director
Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. (ET)
The Role of Video Coverage: Exposing a Nation or Traumatizing a Community?
Social Justice/Community
This session examines the effects of the repeated broadcasting of videos that show Black people brutally killed at the hands of police. Is showing these videos effective in the pursuit of racial justice or simply re-traumatizing the Black community?
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MODERATOR
Misty StarksFounder/Owner
Misty Blue Media and 3B Resources Group Public Relations
PANELIST
D’Artagnan BebelVice President and General Manager
FOX 26 KRIV-TV and UPN 20 KTXH-TV
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. (ET)
Elevating Your Work: What Print Journalists Should Know About Digital Reporting & Copy Editing
Training/Technology
In 2020, the NABJ Print Task Force launched a poll to determine what should be its priorities in helping Black print journalists. Twelve (12) categories were listed. The most popular pick was writing and copy editing. This session will help train members to master the basic skills needed in digitally-driven newsrooms.
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MODERATOR
Tre'vell AndersonEditor-At-Large for Toronto’s Xtra;
Co-host of the Maximum Fun podcast, FANTI
PANELIST
Kat StaffordNational Investigative Writer and Global Investigations Correspondent
The Associated Press
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. (ET)
Socializing Severe Weather
When severe weather strikes, it leads the newscast and trends online. Viewers are looking to you for information as a meteorologist, anchor or reporter. Your influence online can help your impact on air. Warning families on Facebook, Twitter and other social sites can mean the difference between lives saved and lives lost. You are a lifeline when the power is out but mobile networks are up. Join the workshop and the NABJ Weather and Climate Task Force to maximize your social media presence, as we share valuable methods and tools to take your influence to the next level for followers, viewers and listeners.
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PANELIST
Dr. J. Marshall ShepherdProfessor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences
University of Georgia
9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. (ET)
Breaking Through to Become a TV News Executive Session 1 | 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
MODERATOR
Marsha R. Pitts-PhillipsPresident and Founder
MRPP & Associates Communications, LLC
PANELIST
Darryl J. GreenVice President and General Manager
CBS Television Stations’ Miami Properties (WFOR-TV, WBFS-TV, CBSMiami.com, and CBSN Miami)
9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. (ET)
Meet the Publicists: Storytellers Behind-the-Scenes | Powered by WarnerMedia
Behind the Scenes
Media Relations/Communications
Behind every big-name star is a publicist making magic happen behind-the-scenes. Whether it be pitching an exclusive story, wrangling talent, hosting events, vetting journalists, or racing down a red carpet, publicists are at the center of the entertainment business and beyond. Even in an industry plagued with a lack of diversity, Black public relations professionals are leading the charge in amplifying inclusive voices. Join the conversation with some of WarnerMedia’s Black communication specialists across CNN, HBO, Turner Sports, Warner Bros. TV, and more as they discuss the power of creating compelling narratives and building a community in non-diverse spaces.
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9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. (ET)
Behind-the-Camera: Roles and Career Pathing | Powered by FOX
Behind the Scenes
Career/Management
Training/Technology
Careers in broadcast media don’t begin or end in front of the camera. Production, off-air reporting, digital editing, and video opportunities are in surplus across the industry. Are you prepared to meet the demand?
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10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
Session 1: How to Travel the World Using Points and Miles
Career/Management
What if we said you can afford to stay in luxury properties costing up to $1,000 a night? What if we showed you how to snag a $10,000 first class seat without having to spend cash for it? Members of The Points Guy’s editorial team will show you how do do this and more with the points and miles you already earn on travel credit cards and airline/hotel loyalty programs.
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PANELIST
Ariana ArghandewalTravel Rewards Expert and Points and Miles Editor
The Points Guy
PANELIST
Chris DongCredit Cards and Travel Writer
The Points Guy
12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (ET)
Session 2: Why You Should Consider an Editorial Career at Red Ventures | Powered by The Points Guy
Career/Management
You may have never heard of Charlotte, N.C.-based Red Ventures, but you’ve heard of its editorial brands, including The Points Guy, CNET, Lonely Planet, Healthline, HigherEducation.com, Bankrate, and CreditCards.com to name a few. Join our panel of editorial talent and learn about available jobs at this rapidly growing company.
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10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. (ET)
Session 1: Smithsonian Channel Presents 1,000 Years of Slavery: Art of Storytelling: Resistance, Resilience and Rediscovery | Powered by ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group
Moderated by CBS News’ own Michelle Miller, Smithsonian Channel hosts this powerful dialogue full of reflection, oppression and progression. Panelists discuss the power of storytelling and the legacy of slavery, affirming the profound impact that will continue to shape a cultural transformation for decades to come. Spanning four continents, Smithsonian Channel presents an exploration of events that shaped the Black experience, painting portraits of the inspiring creators, brave community leaders and emerging dreamers who rose up to bravely expose the inhumane brutality and untold suffering. It’s a story of survival, proving that resilience prevails, even during the toughest of times. This is the 1,000-year story of how slavery stained the past, shaped our modern world and continues to re-write our future. These diverse perspectives prove that this challenging yet imperative global conversation will continue for decades to come.
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PANELIST
James F. Blue IIIHead
Smithsonian Channel
PANELIST
David OlusogaProfessor of Public History, University of Manchester;
Columnist, The Observer
11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. (ET)
Session 2: MTV Documentary Films presents R.I.P T-Shirts | Powered by ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group
Moderated by CBS News’ Jericka Duncan, MTV Documentary Films presents a special screening of R.I.P T-Shirts followed by an impactful and timely conversation with award winning directors David Heilbroner and Kate Davis alongside producers Anwan Glover and Grace Harry and Composer Gary Gunn. R.I.P. T-Shirts takes an intimate look at gun violence, and the aftermath it has on families, through the eyes of a T-shirt shop owner just outside Washington, D.C. Each day, families and friends of recently murdered young Black people visit Jonathan Robinson’s shop, commissioning wearable tributes to their loved ones.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
Session 3: A Decade of Impact: A Panel featuring the Women of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta | Powered by ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group
Known for shining a light on impactful conversations and personalities, VH1’s Love & Hip Hop franchise celebrates a decade of pop culture-defining moments with Yandy Smith-Harris and Rasheeda Frost, highlighting the growth and evolution of the series and an intimate look into their personal journeys. Moderated by multifaceted writer and media personality Sesali Bowen, this panel will highlight the women-led ensemble at the epicenter of hip-hop, navigating careers, business empires, layered family dynamics and fighting Black liberation during a global pandemic.
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1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. (ET)
Session 4: Weighty Topics & Uncomfy Truths With The Daily Show Team | Powered by ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group
Join The Daily Show with Trevor Noah correspondent Roy Wood Jr. and the show’s research-focused Deep Dive team in conversation with Vladimir Duthiers, where they’ll discuss how the Comedy Central franchise provides in-depth analyses of topics typically ignored by the late-night landscape. From Black Home Ownership and the History of Black Journalists to the First Ladies and the Filibuster, the group will share how their team conceives, researches and produces these important—yet often overlooked—stories and headlines.
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PANELIST
Roy Wood Jr.Correspondent
Comedy Central's Emmy and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power by Gloria Browne-Marshall and Emanuel Celler: Immigration and Civil Rights Champion by Wayne Dawkins | Authors Showcase
She Took Justice proves The Black Woman liberated herself from the invasion of Africa into the Colonial period and Civil Rights Movement. The Black Woman reveals power, from Queen Nzingha to Shirley Chisholm. We see courage in the face of racial prejudice and gender oppression and gain insight into American history through The Black Woman’s fight against race laws, especially criminal injustice as an organizer, leader, activist, lawyer, and judge – a fighter in her own advancement.
Emanuel Celler: Immigration and Civil Rights Champion – U.S. Rep. Emanuel Celler, [1888-1981] was a Brooklyn congressman who during his 50-year career fought for key civil rights and immigraton legislation including the 1965 Hart-Celler Act, the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968, and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Without him, these laws may never have been enacted into law.
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10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
Changing the Game in Technology and Sports | Innovation Bubble
Fans, athletes and journalists are consuming sports, breaking news and games in a totally different way. One new medium they are using is the Locker Room App. Betty Labs, the company behind Locker Room, raised $9.3 million in seed funding for the app from athletes including Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Baron Davis. Hear the story and inspiration behind this new social audio app and how athletes are changing the game with tech.
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10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Effective Intergenerational Communication in the Newsroom
Career/Management
We will discuss intergenerational communication within the newsroom. Attendees will hear from Baby Boomers, Millennials and members of Generation Z. Each participant will speak on how they communicate, their generation’s work ethic, and what type of work environment they thrive in. The panel members will discuss experiences they liked and disliked when it came to working intergenerationally in the newsroom. Participants will share how they’d like other generations to communicate with them in order to have a positive work experience.
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10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
Don't Sleep: The 2022 Summer Internship Hustle Starts Now and Here's How to Kill It!
Career/Management
Summer internships are a must if you hope to have any chance at landing that first job after graduation, and they’ve become more competitive than ever. Companies now require not just an application, transcript and essay, but personal video statements, skills tests or other hurdles to show your personality, creativity and analytical ability. You are selling yourself short if you don’t put in the work way ahead of time (first to select the right internship and then to make sure your package stands out). These industry executives share the secrets to getting past the first round.
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10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
How to Fight For and Win Fair Pay
Career/Management
This session will empower participants to advocate for fair, equitable pay. Panelists will present evidence of the pay gaps faced by Black journalists, journalists of color and women. They will review methods for reducing and eliminating pay disparities for individuals and across the industry. Panelists will highlight real-life examples of discrimination in pay – including their own – discuss lessons learned, how they coped, and how their experiences changed them. This session will inspire participants and enable them to advocate for fair pay on their own behalf and throughout the business. There will be ample time for a question-and-answer period.
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PANELIST
Melanie BurneyEducation Reporter, Philadelphia Inquirer;
First Vice President, NewsGuild of Greater Philadelphia
10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. (ET)
Crossing The Great Divide: Journalists Making Strides in Public Media
On-Air
Panelists working at public media outlets, like PBS, NPR and Government TV discuss life after or instead of commercial media. The discussion will center around journalistic privilege (the opportunity to cover in-depth stories that affect our everyday lives), as opposed to the “if it bleeds, it leads” approach. Also discussed will be the integral role public media plays in the community. The following are the objectives:
• To encourage young journalists the explore public media as another career option
• To explore the pros and cons
• To show how public media offers a landscape to explore in-depth issues versus a minute/30
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PANELIST
Shaunya Chavis-RuckerExecutive Director, Fulton Films;
General Manager, Fulton Government TV
10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. (ET)
Breaking Through to Become a TV News Executive Session 2 | 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
Michelle Robinson HarperVice-President & General Manager
WHBQ -TV, Cox Media Group
11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. (ET)
Audio Immersion - A Dive Into Podcasts | Powered by Spectrum Networks | Innovation Bubble
A discussion on Spectrum Networks’ growing suite of podcasts. How we determine the subject matter, producing tips and learning curves for producers/talent.
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MODERATOR
Kelvin WashingtonHost/Anchor
Spectrum News 1 Southern California/ Spectrum Networks
11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. (ET)
The Secret Ingredients For A Modern-Day Anchor | Powered by The E.W. Scripps Company
On-Air
Myth: the most important ability for a local television news anchor is how they act “behind the desk.” Reality: civic-minded reporters who can break news and connect with everyday people will win the day in 2021 and long after. Learn about the research that backs this up and hear from a station that has taken its anchors from behind the desk to into the community. Learn how they make it happen and what the rewards have been for the people in the station and the community they serve.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. (ET)
People First Campaign - How the Right Words Help Restore Humanity Luncheon | Powered by FWD.us
Social Justice/Community
Words matter. Our language choices matter. The use of dehumanizing labels like “felon,” “offender,” and “inmate” in media coverage has helped fuel our mass incarceration crisis, and shaped the perception of those impacted by the system, particularly Black and Brown people, our families, and communities. FWD.us will lead a conversation on why and how media outlets should drop these harmful labels and instead use “people first” language when reporting on the criminal justice system and the people most impacted by it.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
The Story of Soul Food
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Talented Black chefs across the U.S. have not only mastered the culinary art of preparing and serving soul food to a broad spectrum of diners, but they also know its history, and the importance of telling the story truthfully. In a 1-hour virtual panel, Chef Todd Richards will answer questions from a panel of Black food journalists while preparing and sharing a recipe from his award-wnning recent cookbook SOUL: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes. Richards will also explain why Black food journalists must get involved and help tell the story, because the pen is just as mighty as the pan.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
It's a Lifestyle: Building a Career as a Lifestyle Journalist
Career/Management
This panel will offer tips and advice for student journalists and journalism/media professionals interested in building a career covering beauty, fashion, entertainment, and other lifestyle journalism areas.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
How to Navigate Covering Politics as a Black Journalist
Career/Management
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
This session will explore how Black journalists cover the world of politics and navigate scoring interviews with government and local state officials. The session will also discuss how journalists can accurately portray news events and cultivate relationships with sources without getting intimidated by staffers or other government officials who are trying to control the narrative of the story.
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12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. (ET)
The New Race and Culture Units & Their Integration in News Divisions
Social Justice/Community
In this session, we talk to members of Race and Culture Units that were put together as a response to last summer’s social justice movement. We will discuss what these units are doing, what they should be doing and how they’ve changed the inner workings of their news divisions.
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1:00 P.M. - 2:15 P.M. (ET)
Why DEI? How to Get Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Right | Powered by NBCUniversal
Career/Management
Social Justice/Community
The NBCU News Group (NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC), NBC Local Owned Stations and Telemundo presents a panel on a big topic ricocheting around newsrooms today. We’ll talk about our own DEI efforts in the newsroom and the ripple effects to better reporting, increased audience engagement, and a sound business strategy. We’ll also look at some best practices for improving DEI efforts in a newsroom.
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1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
The Recast: How Race & Identity Are Shaping Politics, Policy and Power | Powered by POLITICO
Behind the Scenes
Power is no longer limited to the Establishment or Washington as more people demand entry into the rooms where decisions are made. Politics is personal. And not all policy is equitable. Enter The Recast, which pulls back the curtain on Capitol Hill, the West Wing and beyond. Join Brakkton Booker and top political journalists as they discuss the opportunities and challenges these changes pose for journalism – and how news organizations must adapt.
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1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Race, Finance and The Economy: Business Journalism Post-George Floyd | Powered by Financial Times
Economy/Business
Social Justice/Community
Join our panel for a discussion on business journalism and race post-George Floyd.
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PANELIST
Veronica Kan-DapaahGlobal Head of Video, Head of Newsroom Diversity and Executive Editor
Financial Times
1:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
ESPN Master Class with ESPN’s Antoine Lewis | Powered by ESPN
Behind the Scenes
Join us for an ESPN Master Class with Antoine Lewis – ESPN Senior Coordinating Producer as he provides a behind the scenes in-depth look into the creation and production of the daily show First Take. Attendees will get insight into the day-to-day production strategy and operations, as well as provide insight into viewership growth, content development, talent strategy, diversity, cross-platform production, and streaming.
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1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Storytellers Summit | Powered by ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Training/Technology
The ABC News Storytellers Summit is a half-day development workshop created by ABC News and the ABC Owned Stations designed to bring producers, writers, reporters and content creators together for a series of cutting-edge conversations and training sessions to take their storytelling to the next level. This summit is led by leading ABC News journalists and executives from across all of our platforms and shows. Participants will walk away with first-hand knowledge around the skills that make ABC News the number one source for news and innovative ways to enhance their storytelling. This is an application-based session; accepted participants will receive the link to connect to the session. For technical issues, contact, Ellen.Riley@abc.com or Stanley.E.Esposito.-nd@disney.com.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Resilient by Nature by Reggie Williams with Jarrett Bell and INBOUNDS by Alois Ricky Clemons | Authors Showcase
Social Justice/Community
Resilient by Nature, the memoir of Reggie Williams details his incredible journey from Flint, MI to one of the NFL’s most respected players and later as the Disney executive who spearheaded the development of the Wide World of Sports Complex. Williams overcame many obstacles, including a speech and hearing impediment as a child and after football, the challenge of saving his right leg from amputation. He has had roughly 30 surgeries linked to football injuries. He uses wit, humor and strong convictions about social issues in sharing his life’s story.
INBOUNDS is the first comprehensive reference book listing every player from a HBCU that played in the NFL from 1949 to present. More than 1200 players from more than 50 Black Colleges have played in the NFL, including 30 Hall of Fame inductees. The evolution of the black player in pro football began in 1906 and continued until the color ban in 1933. In 1949, Tank Younger of Grambling State became the first player from a HBCU to play in the NFL.
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INTERVIEWER
David SquiresLecturer
N.C. A&T Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Contributing Writer - The Undefeated
1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Does Cutting-Edge Tech Like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Have a Future in Journalism? | Innovation Bubble
Social Justice/Community
For years AR and VR have been touted as the next big things in storytelling. Years later, they still seem to be in search of an audience. Why? And will there come a time when news and features routinely transport us into virtual worlds? Retha Hill, a pioneering digital journalist and executive director of the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab at Arizona State University, will shed light on the current virtual landscape, what’s ahead and what journalists need to know about this innovative style of storytelling.
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PRESENTER
Retha HillDirector of the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, Professor of Practice
Arizona State University
1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Between the Lines: Tips for Covering Census Data and Redistricting| Presented by the NABJ Political Task Force
Training/Technology
Sometime in late summer or early fall, the U.S. Census will release results of the 2020 census and states will begin the once-a-decade process of redistricting. It’s time for journalists to plan for this process, learning what is the law in their state, how to read the numbers and how to monitor a process that in many instances is highly partisan. When it comes to redistricting, the learning curve is steep. This hands-on seminar help journalists prepare to cover this complex, once-a-decade task.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Communicate Your Value and Secure Your Dream Job!
Career/Management
Join newsroom leaders and talent acquisition representatives as they share insights on how to find, and land, your dream job in the media and journalism industry. Panelists will discuss in-demand and emerging newsroom skills, tips for the recruiting process and tools to set yourself apart from the average media job-seeker. Learn the tips and tricks these industry pros have picked up in thousands of interviews with top talent in leading newsrooms.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Coaching for Media Equity in Curricula, Classrooms and News Outlets for the Future
Social Justice/Community
With a White House insurrection, COVID-19 and the peril of the U.S. economy, along with the murders of George Floyd and other Black lives, the world has looked on and witnessed racism and classism in America. Media equity is no longer an out-of-reach goal. Media equity is a must, as organizations strive to ensure that the full narratives for all people are expressed in coverage and reports of news outlets. The academy has a great role to play in shaping the future of media organizations. It begins in a classroom, one course at a time.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Newsletters 101
Media Relations/Communications
Learn how to produce a successful newsletter from one of the top digital newsletters in the industry.
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1:30 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. (ET)
Trailblazer Talk with DuJuan McCoy, CEO - Circle City Broadcasting | Moderated by Ric Harris, President and General Manager - NBC10 Philadelphia/WCAU and Telemundo62/WWSI
Career/Management
For anyone who has dreamed of owning a television station, this conversation with DuJuan McCoy is for you. McCoy is President and CEO of Circle City Broadcasting, LLC in Indianapolis, which owns WISH-TV. Like many of our television station general managers, McCoy completed the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) program. BLT focuses on two primary objectives — improving operation effectiveness and broadcast station ownership. McCoy will focus on the path to securing capital to purchase commercial broadcast stations. This talk with a trailblazer will be moderated by President and General Manager Ric Harris of WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.
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1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (ET)
Extraordinary Times Demand Extraordinary Minds | Powered by Think.Public.Media.
Career/Management
Have you ever thought about a job in public media? Did you know that there are hundreds of public media jobs in nearly every state in the country – jobs that include reporting, producing, social engagement, editing in audio and digital, podcasting, video journalism, team leadership, investigative journalism? Are you working in public media and trying to figure out how to take that next step? Come join a workshop with a talented panel of individuals who have either joined public media recently or been around long enough to figure out what it takes to get ahead. Hear their stories of what worked and what didn’t and be prepared to share your own stories and to ask questions about your specific circumstance. We look forward to engaging with you on your public media journey.
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1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. (ET)
How Reporters Can Work With Visual Teams on Sensitive Storytelling About the Black Community | Powered by TIME
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
Behind the Scenes
Improving coverage of the Black community goes beyond whose voices we quote in articles and the language we use in stories. The images we choose, illustrations we commission, video clips we show, and the creators we spotlight are all crucial. TIME journalists, including from our visual teams, will discuss how to avoid feeding into stereotypes and create work that moves away from the trauma and violence committed against Black bodies. This session will share insights into having these conversations in newsrooms, as well as cultivating relationships, and building trust with Black photographers and artists. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (ET)
From Freelancer to Editor-in-Chief: Lindsay Peoples Wagner on Leading Newsrooms | Powered by Vox Media
Career/Management
Lindsay Peoples Wagner is editor-in-chief of The Cut — New York Magazine’s brand for women, covering style, self, culture, and power — and was previously editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. She’ll share her journey from working $9-an-hour freelance gigs in the fashion industry to running two of its top publications. She’ll also describe her approach to covering race after the murder of George Floyd, and building inclusivity into newsrooms. Peoples Wagner will devote half of the time to audience questions, and offer her experiences and advice as one of the few Black editors-in-chief in the country.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. (ET)
The Future of the Sports Media Landscape | Powered by Turner Sports and Bleacher Report
Behind the Scenes
On-Air
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
The sports media landscape is continuously shifting as consumers’ appetites continue to evolve. While fans are eager to get more content how they want it, the creators behind the scenes are rapidly working to deliver it, while also continuing to navigate personal career growth within this industry. In our sub-sessions, attendees will hear from Turner Sports and Bleacher Report employees on topics including, using the power of their voices, navigating their career path, and pushing through the strain to tell thought-provoking stories.
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Power of the Women's Voice in Sports (In Front Of & Behind The Camera) | Powered by Turner Sports and Bleacher Report
The power of women in sports is vast, as it can be defined in breaking records and dominating on the field and court or creating stories on camera and brokering major deals and partnerships. Their experiences, intuition, knowledge, and passion tell stories in ways like no other and for that they deserve the same respect, accolades and pay as their male counterparts. During this panel, hear from women – in various roles within the sports industry – as they discuss their experiences being a gamechanger, influencer, creative curator and more.
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From Entry-Level to Executive: Learning to Grow Within the Media Landscape | Powered by Turner Sports and Bleacher Report
From landing that first full-time role to continuing to strive for upward mobility, there are important tools needed along the way – specifically for people of color. In this panel, attendees will hear advice on how to get acclimated when starting a new role, how to navigate career growth, and tips on how to stand out when climbing that corporate ladder.
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The Complexities of Telling Our Stories | Powered by Turner Sports and Bleacher Report
Last summer, the world was on fire with systemic racial injustices and the looming fear from a life-altering pandemic. The sports world implemented various initiatives to show connectivity to the changing landscape of society. While athletes were dealing with the mental and emotional paralysis of the world, so were the people telling the stories including the producers, directors and the reporters, as they were replaying graphic moments or educating viewers on cultural norms. Sports became more infused with pain, triumph, and the power of being Black in America. How did these behind-the-scenes creators use their talents to weave sports and culture together to tell our stories? During this panel, hear from the voices behind the screen that used their platforms to educate, inform and make viewers aware of our stories.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda edited by Jesse Holland | Authors Showcase
Arts & Entertainment
Storytelling/Story Enterprise
A ground-breaking anthology celebrating Marvel’s beloved Black Panther and his home of Wakanda, penned by an all-star cast of authors such as Sheree Renée Thomas, Cadwell Turnbull, Harlan James, Kyoko M., L.L. McKinney, Temi Oh, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Nikki Giovanni. Storytellers from across the African Diaspora have created for this collection original works inspired by the world of the Panther and its inhabitants. These are the tales of a king and his country. These are the legends whispered in the jungle, myths of the unconquered men and women and the land they love. These are the Tales of Wakanda.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Innovation Gear-A-Thon | Innovation Bubble
Training/Technology
It’s baack! Lights! Cameras! Audio! Got a minute? The always popular “Innovation Gear-A-Thon” returns to the Innovation Bubble featuring NABJ Founder Allison Davis. She will once again share what’s in her backpack, as she introduces members to new multimedia production tools that journalists and media professionals will want to add to their toolboxes.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Keeping It Real: The Highs and Lows of an Ever-Changing Weather Industry & How to Stay at The Top of Your Game
On-Air
Does the weather industry have you feeling blue? In this workshop, a panel of early career and seasoned meteorologists discuss the highs and lows of the broadcast weather industry and empower you with advice to stay motivated in order to stay at the top of your game. Panelists discuss challenges that Black meteorologists face, as sometimes we are only just a few in certain markets; negotiating salaries and contracts; things we wish we had known before taking our jobs; where we think the field of meteorology is headed; and what we should all be prepared for in the future.
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Innovation in Isolation: The Evolution of the Side Hustle
Career/Management
The global pandemic has forced many of us to find alternative means of generating income, which has put a brighter spotlight on the importance of having a side hustle or two (or three or more) when it comes to jobs. Here, we have a candid discussion from a range of journalists who have indeed practiced innovation when it comes to the side hustle during these times of social-distanced isolation and generating revenue streams outside of full-time employment. Our conversation will center around side hustles in on-air journalism (Kelsey Nelson and A. Sherrod Blakely), gaming/public relations (Paul Holston) and e-commerce (Adena Jones).
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3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (ET)
Masking Publicity as Diversity: Corporate PR Stunts Hidden in Inclusion
Media Relations/Communications
Not a week goes by without a splashy headline about a new diversity director hired at a big company or an inclusion initiative is announced via a press release. But are these just tactics to make these companies appear “woke?” This session will take a look at some of the PR activities companies are using to tell their diversity story. Attendees will learn how to use genuine diversity programs to improve the public persona of their companies, organizations and clients in authentic ways.
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MODERATOR
Misty StarksFounder/Owner
Misty Blue Media and 3B Resources Group Public Relations
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Bullyanna by Jackie Scott-Bell and The Puffin Plan by Derrick Z. Jackson | Authors Showcase
Health/Science
Arts & Entertainment
Bullyanna tells the story of a young girl whose classmates called her Bullyanna because of the way she acted toward them. With the help of her school counselor, she discovers that she can be a role model for other kids by being respectful and having a positive attitude. Words that rhyme and vibrant pictures are used to teach elementary school students the importance of developing good character.
The Puffin Plan chronicles the restoration of the Atlantic puffin, a colorful seabird, back to islands of Maine where it had been exterminated by hunters in the 1880s. It was the world’s first successful restoration of a seabird. The book is an adaptation of “Project Puffin,” a 2015 book published by Yale University Press.
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INTERVIEWER
Jasmine BellPodcast Host, Jasmine Talks;
Student, Virginia Commonwealth University
4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Investigating Armed Militias, Right-Wing Extremists and Their Funding Sources
Social Justice/Community
This panel of experts will explain how to pinpoint right-wing extremist organizations online, including those operating within local communities. We will draw upon the databases of national NGOs, including the SPLC, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Anti-Defamation League, as well as university think tanks and the FBI. We will detail our experiences investigating right-wing extremist groups and individuals in the U.S., and share tips on finding sources of funding for neo-Nazi and neo-Confederate groups, as well as the role of known funders of the Capitol insurrection and their ties to the Proud Boys, Three Percenters and Oath Keepers.
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4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Roundtable: Creating Diversity Programs for Media Organizations
Social Justice/Community
Many organizations – including newsrooms and the media companies that operate them – have recognized the need to put equity, diversity and inclusion at the center of company strategy.
Once an organization decides to embrace an EDI program, what does this ongoing work look like? Join a roundtable of Chief Diversity Officers as they walk through the arc of an EDI journey and the tools they’re using to change how their organizations operate. Panelists talk about getting comfortable with this ongoing work, Aha! moments, and charting a path for the type of organization you want to be.
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4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M. (ET)
Transitioning From Journalist to Your Own Public Relations Consultancy
Media Relations/Communications
Journalists transitioning to the field of public relations and marketing is an ongoing trend because of downsizing in America’s newsrooms. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss:
- The pros and cons of moving from Journalism to PR
- Setting up a PR practice
- Financial and legal considerations
- Building a client base, pricing and getting paid
- Collaborating with potential partners
- Balancing your practice with living your life
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PANELIST
Beverly IsomCommunication Consultant
Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists
5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. (ET)
Student Lounge | Powered by NBCUniversal
Career/Management
Students, this session is for you! Join our Early Career Recruiters and guest speakers in the Student Lounge. Learn more about internships and early career programs, and how to best navigate your search, plus network and hear from our business leaders. Here you can connect! Sign up: https://bit.ly/NBCUStudentLounge
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5:50 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. (ET)
Opening Pre-Show | Powered by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
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6:00 P.M. - 6:15 P.M. (ET)
Opening Ceremony | Powered by Coca-Cola
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6:15 P.M. (ET)
Welcome Reception | Powered by Disney Parks, Experiences and Products
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