“Around Town with Fred Brown”
9.16.08
Hot Topics: Humanitarian Achievement and Mentoring
THE QUEEN OF ADVOCACY JOURNALISM CHARLAYNE HUNTER-GAULT PROUDLY ACCEPTS AWARD!
It’s hard to fathom we’re in the last day of the 2008 NAMIC Conference, but the clock is ticking on what will be recorded as “the best conference ever.” The morning general session kicked-off with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award presented to journalism pioneer Charlayne Hunter-Gault. Introducing her was Alicin Williamson, SVP, Corporate Responsibility & Public Affairs at MTV Networks and NAMIC Board Chair. There was a roaring applause when Hunter-Gault stepped on stage to receive this prestigious industry award for her commitment to cultural reporting in a career that has spanned 40 years.
“I had no idea this was going to be a tear-jerker..but here I am having a moment on this stage in front of all of you,” said the emotional Hunter-Gault. “What I set out to do is to create journalistic reports that help people see themselves as they are. And it’s an honor to accept this award before my industry peers for a Congressman who truly demonstrated his passion for people,” said Hunter-Gault.
“We are witnessing genuine global growth, and this is not the time to turn a face away from diversity. I am still clothed in my suit of armor crafted out of The Movement, and I implore you to wear your armor too.”
Ms. Hunter Gault – NAMIC congratulates you on this much deserved award. After all, it was you who stood on the front lines as the first black woman to attend the University of Georgia. And, when you crossed the picket-line, into the front doors of that school, you broke a barrier and opened the door for future generations of media professionals of color, which NAMIC represents.
THREE CHEERS FOR CHARLAYNE HUNTER-GAULT! In closing, she said, “And I have no problem with my age at 66 years.” Well if you ask me, she’s still got it.
CONFERENCE SPOTLIGHT: MEDIA AND POLITICS..THEY GO TOGETHER
It seemed appropriate that following the presentation of the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award to veteran journalist/activist Charlayne Hunter-Gault at the conference, that the “doors of the church” would open, so to speak, for a heated debate about the effect of media coverage in politics. And, the panel was hot, moderated by fun-guy John Norris of MTV News, who put on his serious hat to lead the panel discussion.
The diverse panel of seasoned journalists engaged in a talk about objectivity, bias and diversity issues in newsrooms across America, and how those factors are reflected in national political coverage --- often filled with personalities, positions, platforms and pundits. This 2008 Election Year presents a stable of new challenges for journalists, whose job it is to report facts about our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, only weeks before the general election in November.
“Timing is everything,” commented NAMIC President Kathy Johnson. “And, we would be remiss if we did not have this panel which addressed the marriage between the media and politics this year, in particular. We know mass media has tremendous influence on decision-making. This panel, which represented a wide array of view-points and ethnicities, was an ideal way of letting the experts speak about what they do best,” added Johnson.
And the experts had plenty to say. Stay tuned for more coverage of the NAMIC 2008 Conference…right after this…
TAKE PEN TO PAPER: 2008 WRITER'S WORKSHOP… WORKED IT!
While the panels were buzzing and participants jaunting from room-to-room throughout the Marriott, there was a quieter track underway – a two-day Writers’ Workshop, led by Veteran TV Executive and Producer Carole Kirschner. The workshop, sponsored by the Walter Kaitz Foundation, was designed for 15 writers of color, who were selected to participate in the intensive education forum. And, Kirschner brought with her tons of expertise, as the chief architect of the CBS Diversity Institute Writers Mentoring Program.
“Carole and her team of instructors is a tremendous asset to the workshop of budding writers who need to be instructed, coached and guided through the process – not only to hone their crafts as writers, but to gain valuable insight into the business of show business,” said Jim Jones, NAMIC’s VP of Education Programs.
ALLAN HOUSTON- A TOWER OF HOPE!
Although retired from basketball, Houston’s work is hardly complete. As the Founder of the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, he heads the non-profit organization that operates regional basketball camps around the country, for father and their sons, as well as innovative programs to develop aspiring entrepreneurs. And while basketball is the medium, mentorship and bonding is the message he delivers throughout the programs. “I believe in the power of mentorship, and NAMIC is right on track with that.”
Allan went on to share his fundamental formula for success, and he scored a slam dunk.
Key ingredients include integrity and faith. According to Allan, trust is the basis of everything, and you have to have pure motives and intents. Leadership by example and leaving behind a legacy are also critical to having a lasting impact.
And it didn’t take long for us to feel Houston’s impact on the audience. Allan is truly an All-Star – as a baller, mentor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.DIVERSITY IN COMMUNICATIONS CAREER EXPO: YOU’RE HIRED!
A much anticipated element of the NAMIC conference each year is the career fair, which is free and open to the general public of media professionals. After all, jobs are what we need, and the NAMIC Career Expo is where to find them.
This year’s exhibitors included the following:
A&E Television Networks
Black Enterprise
Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News
Cablevision
Charter Communications
Comcast
Comcast Programming Group
Cox Communications
Digitas
Discovery Communications
Disney/ABC Television Group
Edelman
Emmis Communications (Hot 97 FM, 98.7 KISS-FM and WRXP 101.9 FM)
ESPN
Fox Networks Group
Hachette Book Group
Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network
HBO
Hearst Magazines
Lifetime Networks
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
MTV Networks
NBC Universal
The New York Times Company
The Newschannels of Time Warner Cable
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)
Rainbow Media Holdings
Savoy Professional
Scripps Networks
Time Warner Cable
Transit News Magazine
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
TuTV
World Wrestling Entertainment INC
“The NAMIC Diversity in CommunicationS Career Expo is only as good as our exhibitors who are demonstrating their commitment to Diversity by lending time and resources to participate in the Expo," said Danny McGlone, VP of Fund Development for NAMIC. “And, it’s a win-win event for everybody involved, and we will continue to make this happen.” According to records, over 750 candidates participated in the expo.
Signing off…You’ve been around town with Fred Brown and NAMIC!
1 comment:
It was such a cool conference!!
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