The Los Angeles chapter of the National Assn. of Black Journalists (NABJLA), on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 10:30 a.m., is hosting “Images of Black Women in Media," a series of two back-to-back panels centering on the experiences and images of black women in news and entertainment. Our panelists for the news conversation include NBC Los Angeles' Beverly White, Fox 11 Los Angeles' Christine Devine, HLN's Michaela Pereira and CBS Los Angeles' Pat Harvey. Panelists for the entertainment conversation include actress Tichina Arnold, casting director Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd and "The Real's" Loni Love. Fox 11 Los Angeles' Leah Uko and film critic Carla Renata will moderate, respectively.
Tickets are $5, with all proceeds going to our scholarship program. Tickets are free for NABJLA dues-paying members with a discount code. Advanced sales end Thursday, Sept. 20. Limited tickets might be available at the door, space permitting. Purchase tickets here.
Parking, which is free, can be accessed behind the SAG-AFTRA building, off of Curson Ave. Pull a ticket and we will validate. Be advised to allot extra time for parking as construction is taking place. We will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m
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Panelists
Beverly White is an award-winning reporter for NBC4 Southern California where she has been for more than 26 years. A member of NABJ for 32 years, she's served in various capacities across the country including as president of NABJLA, three time. Her dedication to her work and this organization have been long-lasting and unwavering resulting in her being the 2018 recipient of the Chuck Stone Lifetime Acheievemnt Award from the National Assn. of Black Journalists.
Carla Renata is a noted film critic and entertainment reporter known under the moniker The Curvy Film Critic. An actress, former publicist and author, she's a member of the African American Film Critics Association, Los Angeles Online Film Critics Association and Online Association of Female Film Critics and hosts a weekly film review live podcast called "Black Tomatoes" for Black Hollywood Live. She has been featured in Ebony and Variety and on NPR's All Things Considered and Turner Classic Movies.
Christine Devine is a veteran television news anchor in Los Angeles with a passion for empowering young people. In 2012, she was named in Los Angeles Magazine among the “50 Women Changing LA.” She anchors the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. weeknight newscasts on Fox 11 News. She has received the prestigious Governors Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as 16 Emmys.
In 2015, Christine marked her 25th anniversary at KTTV. In 2018, she was named an RTNA Lifetime Achievement honoree.
Leah Uko is a general assignment reporter seen on FOX 11 News. She joined the station’s freelance team in October 2017 and is thrilled to be back home covering the news in the greater Los Angeles area.
Before returning to Southern California, Leah reported on wildfires, droughts, football, politics, crime, health issues and education for NBC and FOX affiliates in Texas, Nebraska and Arkansas. She later served as main anchor and producer for an NBC affiliate in Columbus, Georgia before taking on her current position at FOX 11.
Loni Love is currently a co-host of "The Real," the one-hour daily talk show which has just been renewed for a fifth and sixth season on Fox stations. The nationally-syndicated show was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Talk Show, and won the Emmy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts. "The Real" also won a 2018 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Talk Series.
Loni is known for roles in a myriad of movies including "Mother’s Day," "Paul Blart Mall Cop 2," "Soul Plane" and the "Bad Ass" franchise.
Michaela Pereira is the host of HLN’s new two-hour daily news program “Michaela.” Live from CNN’s Los Angeles bureau, the show airsfrom 3-5pm ET/12-2pm PT. “Michaela” has an upbeat vibe with issue driven conversation, lively guests and breaking news.
Michaela joined CNN in 2012 and was the co-host of "New Day" with Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota. For nine years prior, she was the co-host of "KTLA Morning News," Los Angeles' number one rated morning newscast. During this time, this program won nine Emmy Awards for "Best Regularly Scheduled Daily News" and one for KTLA's live coverage of the Rose Parade.
Pat Harvey is anchor of CBS2’s 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. broadcasts. She joined CBS2 after 20 years with sister station KCAL9 as one of the original anchors of the nation’s first nightly three-hour newscast. In recognition of her 20th anniversary with KCAL and contributions to the people of Southern California, the Los Angeles City Council and L.A. County Board of Supervisors declared Oct. 30, 2009 “Pat Harvey Day” by proclamation.
Pat was awarded the prestigious LA Area Governor’s Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2015 for her body of work at CBS2/KCAL9 and philanthropic work in the community. In February 2012, Harvey was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
Tichina Arnold was born to entertain in every form of creativity from acting to singing to dancing to writing and her career shows her extraordinary love and commitment to her love of making people feel happy. From comedies to drama and on the big screen to your home television set, Tichina’s characters are beloved around the world and well known for their honest reactions to life’s all-too-real situations. Her roles in "Martin," "Wild Hogs," "Happily Divorced," "Survivor's Remorse," "Daytime Divas," "Everybody Hates Chris" and CBS’ upcoming comedy "The Neighborhood" have cemented her a devoted fan-base throughout the world.
Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd is Hollywood casting director, producer and owner of In The Twink Of an Eye Productions. She has collaborated with major studios including Fox Searchlight, Sony/Screen Gems, Lifetime TV, BET, CodeBlack/LionsGate and I.M. Global as well as directors and producers such as Ryan Coogler, Mara Brock Akil and Debra Martin Chase.
Twinkie is proud to have helped discover new talents like Michael B. Jordan, Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick and Gina Rodriguez and collaborated on films and TV series including "Being Mary Jane," "Southside with You," "Fruitvale Station," "Notorious" and "Stomp The Yard."