Join us Saturday, April 28 for our next meeting: “Many Platforms, One Voice: Modern Freelance Journalism.” In order to assist our freelancing members with landing more gigs and crafting better pitches, we will be joined by Variety Events Editor (and NABJ-LA boardmember) Mannie Holmes and freelance journalists Britni Danielle and Jaleesa Lashay. Our vice president, Jarrett Hill, will moderate.
Mannie Holmes is a native of Richmond, Virginia and a University of Virginia graduate. She later received her master’s degree in Broadcast & Digital Journalism from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, where she joined her first NABJ chapter. When Mannie isn’t glued to her computer or mobile device as Variety’s events editor, she enjoys being glued to her television with a large bowl of buttery popcorn and a glass of wine (Olivia Pope-style).
Britni Danielle is a writer and editor who is passionate about telling dope stories. She’s written extensively for both print and digital publications on a myriad of topics, including dating, feminism, race, parenting, and pop culture for ESSENCE, The Guardian, The Washington Post, espnW, Teen Vogue, and the Grio. When she isn’t writing, Britni is teaching new writers how to break into the industry through her online course, The Write Pitch.
Jaleesa Lashay has established herself as a true force within the film industry as an expert and on-air host. With a mission to engage in thought-provoking conversations, Jaleesa makes an effort to challenge the perceptions of women and multi-cultural audiences within the industry, most notably at the 24th annual SAG Awards, her question to actor Sterling K. Brown about the lack of opportunities given to black press resulted in significant social shares. A true rose from concrete, Jaleesa hails from the South Bronx and currently resides in Los Angeles, where she serves as a senior film correspondent and associate producer for BlackTree TV. In her spare time, she also serves as a contributor for xoNecole, an online platform for women of color. Jaleesa graduated from Spelman College.