Power of the Pivot with Nina Parker

Join us Saturday, November 16 at 11 a.m. PT for Power of the Pivot, a fireside chat with TV host and fashion designer Nina Parker.

Several newsrooms and companies have been impacted by the squeeze happening across the media industry in recent times leaving many of us asking ourselves “so, what now?” With so many layoffs and organizational restructures happening locally and nationwide, we know things are really hard for our members and colleagues here in LA. Many of you are experiencing job loss and if you are still working, you're probably feeling the burn from doing more with less.

With this in mind, we want to provide a space for our members to hear from someone who has found success throughout her career leveraging her range of skills to master the art of pivoting.

We’ve invited Nina Parker to share her career experience that has been filled with similar challenges. During this one-on-one conversation with NABLJA President Shar Jossell, we’ll have a real talk about all of this and more with an opportunity for guests to join the conversation too.

Location: Deutsch LA (12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066)

Time: 11 a.m. PT

Admission: Members - Free | Non-Members - $10 | Students - Free

Registration Required: Everyone who plans to attend must submit a registration form to be put on the list for visitation clearance.

2024 Black Women In Media

Join us Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. PT for sixth annual Black Women In Media panel & mixer.

Special guest panelists include award-winning sports and politics journalist Jemele Hill, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of “Read This to Get Smarter” Blair Imani Ali, writer, actor, producer, and author of “Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist” Franchesca Ramsey, and Deutsch’s Vice President of Corporate Communications Camila Crews.

This year’s discussion, moderated by NABJLA President Shar Jossell, focuses on the multifaceted experiences and contributions of Black women in media across the political landscape. With the history-making 2024 presidential election just weeks away, this topic is both timely and critical, as it allows for an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges and perspectives that Black women face in their reporting efforts.

Location: Deutsch LA (12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066)

Time: 11 a.m. PT

Admission: Members - Free | Non-Members - $5 | Students - Free

Registration Required: Everyone who plans to attend must submit a registration form to be put on the list for visitation clearance.

NABJLA SCREENS: The American Society of Magical Negroes

EVENT PHOTOS
[Right-Click The Image To Download]

Photo Credit: Robin Marshall (@itsrobinlori)

ABOUT THE FILM

The American Society of Magical Negroes is a fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.

STARRING

• Justice Smith as “Aren”
• David Alan Grier as “Roger”
• An-Li Bogan as “Lizzie”
• Drew Tarver as “Jason”
• Michaela Watkins as “Masterson”
• Rupert Friend as “Mick”
• Nicole Byer as “Dede”

DIRECTED BY

Kobi Libii

WRITTEN BY

Kobi Libii

PRODUCED BY

• Julia Lebedev, p.g.a.
• Eddie Vaisman, p.g.a.
• Angel Lopez, p.g.a.
• Kobi Libii, p.g.a

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

• Mike Upton
• Oren Moverman
• Leonid Lebedev

GENESIS AND CONCEPT

An alum of both Sundance’s Screenwriters Lab and Directors Labs, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES represents Kobi Libii’s feature directorial debut. Coming from a background in comedy, Libii says the film started as an idea he assumed would be a short form comedy sketch. “My experience with high concept, comedic ideas like this one is that most of them should be about three minutes long. But when I sat down to flesh it out as a sketch, I discovered that I was writing about something much bigger and far more personal: a very particular defense mechanism that I have been taught as a Black man about how to survive in White America. That defense mechanism has had a number of unintended consequences in my life in terms of my confidence and ability to take up space and my ability to move through the world. ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ is an elaborate metaphor to explore all of that.”

Libii continues, “White people write the Magical Negro trope as a kind of ‘Happy Slave’ archetype that imagines Black people truly enjoy contorting themselves to fit into white systems of power. I’m hijacking the trope to explore some of what it really costs Black people to do so.”

For Libii, humor is a part of how he navigates difficult subject matter. “Some of these issues are so raw, that it was important to me to use comedy to make conversation possible. For white people, it can be really unsettling to acknowledge the ways in which a country they love and identify with can still have such troubling power structures, and for Black people, it can be really painful to acknowledge the ways in which we’ve been coerced to adhere to those structures. At least it is for me. And by and large that’s what the Magical Negroes do: they choose survival over pride. It’s easy to be critical of their choice, but I’d rather be critical of the system that made them choose. And, more importantly, I want to build a monument to every person of color who’s ever had to make that impossible choice and hopefully, through the warmth and playfulness of the piece, let us all move forward.”

As part of that way forward, Libii aspires to create a more inclusive film than ones that use the trope. “One of the failings of the white authors of Magical Negro texts is not thinking through the experience of other marginalized people. And it was a value of mine in constructing this piece to be diametrically opposed to that ethos by including other marginalized groups—like non-Black women of color. Love stories between Black leads are so positive for the Black community, but I believe stories like this one have important work to do as well. Although Black people and other people of color have vastly different experiences and impacts, the power structure that we’re fighting is the same. And the more people who are working to dismantle it, the better. Especially because the success of that project is quite literally a life-or-death fight for Black people in particular.”

Libii also emphasizes that The American Society of Magical Negroes is also a universal story because, at the end of the day, it’s a love story. “The pairing of this particular racial satire with a full-hearted love story is satisfying to me because being seen by someone who loves you is the opposite of being looked at as a stereotype. And while there’s particular urgency for Black people to be seen as whole people, as individuals, all people deserve to be known for the people they really are. I’m contrasting being misunderstood and devalued with being truly regarded and appreciated, eccentricities and all. I find this counterpoint really meaningful.” Libii continues, “In some ways, though, it’s really two love stories: one between the obvious romantic leads, and the other between Aren and himself—coming to value himself more highly.” Another way Libii thinks about the film is that it’s simply about a guy who is not good at speaking up for himself but who learns to speak up for himself. “I think that's something that a lot of people can connect to and be heartened by.”

RATING

PG-13

RELEASE DATE

MARCH 15, 2024

GENRE

COMEDY, FANTASY

Writer/director Kobi Libii (right) on the set of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES, a Focus Features release.

Photo Credit | Anne Marie Fox / Focus Features Copyright | © 2024 Focus Features, LLC.

DIRECTOR STATEMENT

The “Magical Negro” trope is a narrative device in which a Black, supporting character exists solely to serve a white protagonist’s storyline. They don’t have their own inner life but are relentlessly focused on helping white people learn, grow, or become less racist. Some have magical powers, but they all have a superhuman commitment to white, personal growth.

While it’s certainly not the only problematic stock character in movie history, the symbolism of the Magical Negro has always been particularly troubling to me: Black people only have worth inasmuch as we’re making a white protagonist’s life more colorful or meaningful; we don’t have value on our own. There’s a dark reflection of our society's broader values here: Black lives don’t always matter. And while the trope itself is certainly worthy of criticism, the real question I’m interested in is what does living in a society that has those values do to you? What has it done to me?

The premise of the satire is pretty simple: “What if being a Magical Negro was a real job? What if your whole Black existence were consumed by prioritizing white people and white comfort? What if you just got up every morning, and focused on being the version of yourself that fit into a white world and served every white person’s ‘story?’”

Obviously, this is absurd; exaggerated to make the make the film a comedy. Obviously, this is not something we do.

But if I’m honest. Really honest. More honest than I’m comfortable being: I relate to the Magical Negroes’ job description.

Because one thing this society taught me was to assimilate. Teachers encouraged me to code switch. I did. They controlled my grades, my future. My father taught me to be incredibly nice and non-threatening in any interaction with the police. He, having spent formative years in an America where lynchings still occurred, made the urgency of the matter harrowingly clear; don’t worry about your pride, just make the powerful white person comfortable.

Like a good A-student, I over-learned these lessons. And, for years, had internalized a relationship to white people that was too deferential. On some level, I believed this was necessary to stay alive.

As you can imagine, this is not the proudest thing to admit—everyone would rather look in the mirror and see a powerful Black Revolutionary. And I can’t stress enough how much I’m speaking for myself here, not All Black People Everywhere. But if I’m honest, really honest, this was a part of my particular response to racism.

And while this is personally embarrassing, it is also, I believe, a savage indictment of America. That, as a Black person, I did not feel that being myself–uninhibited, fully expressed–gave me the best chance to thrive, or even survive. That I was discouraged, by a sweeping, insidious culture, that makes things like Magical Negro movies over and over again, from prioritizing my own happiness as much as that of the white people around me.

The question here is this: who gets to be the main character? Not just in movies, but in American life more broadly. Who’s comfort and safety are prioritized and whose aren’t? Whose lives are assumed to matter and whose require marches and movements to protect? Is Aren (my film’s Black protagonist) doomed to be the soulful sidekick (peripheral, even expendable) or will it become his story with his wants and feelings central? To put it in movie terms, will he be the one who ‘gets the girl’?

This film is my attempt to process all of this. It’s a fantasy because strict reality can’t possibly reflect the creative, fantastical things Black people have to do to survive in America. It’s a comedy because the shame of this defense mechanism is so radioactive that I have to laugh to make an honest conversation about it bearable. And it’s a love story because, to me, being seen and appreciated by someone you love is the opposite of a society that tells you your life doesn’t matter.

NABJLA Town Hall: Red Carpet Representation

Publicists Ariana Drummond and Wyllissa Bennett join Media Personality and NABJLA Director of Membership Shar Jossell for a candid discussion about the importance of diversity among red carpet interviewers and the steps we can take to address this issue.

Registration is free and required to attend.

Black Women In Media 2022

Join us for our 5th Annual Black Women In Media live panel conversation and brunch mixer.

NABJLA Vice President and Spectrum News 1 Anchor Tanya McRae will moderate the conversation with Instagram Innovation Partnerships Besidone Amoruwa, MTV Entertainment Group VP of Communications Leshelle Sargent, and Netflix’s “Buy My House” Host Nina Parker.

ADMISSION

Admission is free for members and non-members, but we are accepting donations for our annual student scholarship.

LOCATION

AUDACY Sound Space

5670 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

PARKING

Parking is available in the adjoining parking deck for $10. Free parking is available on nearby streets at your own risk.

Black Men In Media 2022

Our first in-person event in two years at the 5th Annual Black Men In Media live panel conversation and brunch mixer. Black Men In Media is a part of NABJ’s nationwide Black Male Media Project, which aims to help change the narrative around the lives and images of Black men in news and society.

NABJLA President and Freelance Journalist jarrett hill moderated the conversation with P-Valley Star John Clarence Stewart, LA Times Executive Editor Kevin Merida, Spectrum News 1 Anchor Melvin Robert, and HOORAE President of Development & Production Montrel McKay.

ADMISSION

Admission is free for members and non-members, but we are accepting donations for our annual student scholarship.

LOCATION

AUDACY Sound Space

5670 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

PARKING

Parking is available in the adjoining parking deck for $10. Free parking is available on nearby streets at your own risk.

COVID POLICY

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR test (taken up to 48 hours prior to arrival) is required to attend this event. The following are acceptable as proof of full vaccination against COVID-19: CDC Vaccination card, photocopy of a vaccination card or a photograph stored on a phone or electronic device, digital government-issued vaccination pass, such as Healthvana or digital Covid-19 vaccine record, or documentation of full vaccination from a healthcare provider that includes the name of the person vaccinated and confirms that the person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests who cannot show one of the above listed documents will not be admitted to the event.

To be considered fully vaccinated, guests must have received their second dose of Pfizer/Biontech, Moderna, or single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine no later than 15 days prior to the event. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or have a fever, a persistent cough or are experiencing shortness of breath. Do not enter the premises if you have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19.

It's about me : Dealing with the heavy parts of journalism

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Navigating heavy subjects and jumping from story to story can become difficult mentally and physically.

Join NABJLA along with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Los Angeles chapter and the Asian American Journalists Association - Los Angeles for an important and timely in-person panel Saturday, June 4 at 12:30 PT on mental health and how journalists deal with the heavy stuff and find ways to grow professionally in a sustainable manner.

There will also be a relaxing and accessible physical activity. Light refreshments will be provided.

Location: La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St Los Angeles, CA 90022

The Politics of Black Beauty in Media

To commemorate Women's History Month 2022, NABJLA is hosting a conversation surrounding the politics of Black beauty in media which will examine the ever-changing aspects of hair, makeup, and wardrobe in news environments. Panelists will delve into their personal experiences, challenges, and social expectations in regards to their on-air look and style.

Panelists:

ANGELIQUE JACKSON [moderator] (@angelique814)

ANGELIQUE JACKSON is a senior entertainment writer for Variety, based in Los Angeles. During her tenure with Variety, Jackson won a Southern California Journalism award for her video profile on Victoria Mahoney and a National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for co-authoring last year’s “The Reckoning Over Representation” cover story with Elaine Low. Prior to joining Variety, she worked as a producer for Entertainment Tonight, winning three Daytime Emmy awards for her work. She is a graduate of Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia with a degree in Broadcast News.

HOLLY J. MITCHELL (@HollyJMitchell)

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell currently serves as Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Before serving on the first all women-led Board of Supervisors in the history of LA County, Mitchell served for a decade in the California Legislature as a representative for the 54th Assembly District and 30th Senate District, both in Los Angeles County. During her tenure she passed over 90 bills – including the landmark anti-hair discrimination law The CROWN Act, making California the first in the nation to pass this law ending hair discrimination. When she isn’t working alongside the over 100,000 people--committed to serving the residents of Los Angeles County, she loves a good cup of tea, watching ocean waves and being mom to Ryan.

RYANN BLACKSHERE VARGAS (@RyannBlackshere)

Ryann Blackshere Vargas is a Multimedia Journalist and storyteller at Spectrum News 1. Previously she's worked at news outlets including NBC Bay Area, KGET, and NBC News. She is also a former White House intern for Mrs. Obama's scheduling and advance office. The SoCal native graduated from Monrovia High School and attended both Stanford University and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Ryann was the first place award winner for the Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism Award for her coverage of child welfare and foster care. Blackshere Vargas finds pride in sharing the stories of people whose voices are rarely heard.

KARICEAN KAREN DICK

After years of successful & prominent hairstyling collaborations, Karicean (also commonly referred to as Karen) began her foray into the fashion and entertainment industries to continue her growth as a styling artist. She has been featured on KTLA. Her CNN portfolio includes work with on-air talent Sara Sidner, Stephanie Elam, Cari Champion, and Jemele Hill. Karicean currently serves as the Beauty and Style Editor for BCF Magazine, and personal stylist to FOX anchor & Good Day LA host, Michaela Pereira. Over the years, Karicean has grown an impressive resume in the beauty, marketing, and entertainment industries. She continues to leave her mark on every project she has taken on, with no plans of slowing down.

Black Women in Media 2021

Our fourth annual “Black Women in Media” conversation features FOX 11 & FOX Soul Anchor Brooke Thomas, Freelance Journalist & Media Personality Demetria Lucas, and Access Hollywood Host and NBC's 'American Ninja Warrior' Reporter Zuri Hall.

NABJLA + LAJC Town Hall: Los Angeles Police Department

LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore joins NABJLA President Jarrett Hill and LA Press Club’s Adam Rose, taking questions from journalists. 

Immediately following the Q&A, NABJLA’s Tanya McRae and SPJ/LA’s Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins will host an open session to discuss what we’ve just heard, inviting the journalists in attendance to provide perspective and converse. Registration is free and required to attend.

Join us Monday, September 27th, at 3:30pm PT

3:30 p.m. PT - The New LAJC and Updates on SB98

4:00 p.m. PT Q&A with Chief Michel Moore, LAPD | Moderated by NABJLA’s Jarrett Hill and LA Press Club’s Adam Rose

5:00 p.m. PT Open Session | Moderated by NABJLA’s Tanya McRae and SPJ/LA’s Ashanti-Blaize Hopkins

Members in good standing with LAJC’s representative organizations will be given first priority for attendance and questioning. Membership will be verified.

Black Men in Media 2021

We're excited for our fourth annual “Black Men in Media” conversation featuring KTLA Executive Producer Marcus Smith, LA Times staff writer Donovan X. Ramsey, and Spectrum News 1 anchor Kelvin Washington. Freelance journalist and NABJLA President Jarrett Hill will moderate the discussion on the experience of Black men in media.

Join us Saturday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. PT as part of NABJ’s nationwide Black Male Media Project, which aims to help change the narrative around the lives and images of Black men in the news and in society.

Registration is free and open to members and non-members.

Find out more about participants below.

Participants

Jarrett Hill

Jarrett Hill - Freelance Journalist - NABLA President

Jarrett Hill is an award-winning journalist, speaker, media trainer, and host contributing to The New York Times, Variety, NBC News, CNN International, and Channel Q, among others. He is president of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Los Angeles chapter (NABJLA). Jarrett also co-hosts FANTI, a Maximum Fun podcast chosen as one of Apple Podcasts’ “Best of 2020.”

Kelvin Washington

Kelvin Washington - Anchor/Host - Spectrum News 1

Kelvin Washington is a host and anchor on Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles. He covers everything that is important to the people of So Cal. He is also a contributor on the Spectrum News 1 show “LA Times Today” and is one of the hosts of the Pre and Post game  shows for the Dodgers on Sportsnet LA. You can also hear him nationally on Fox Sports Radio. 

Before joining Spectrum News 1, Kelvin hosted the primetime competition show “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” on NBC. His work illustrates his passion for telling stories in the hopes of uplifting others. Kelvin enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young daughters. He also is a volunteer and mentor with the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles

Marcus Smith

Marcus Smith - Executive Producer - KTLA 5

Marcus Smith is an Emmy Award-winning senior producer for KTLA 5 News. He produces the KTLA 5 News at 10 and the KTLA 5 News at 11. 

Smith, a Milwaukee native by way of Chicago, began his love for journalism at 12-years-old as an intern for a TV station in his hometown of Milwaukee. He was also a correspondent for the hit, Emmy award-winning youth news magazine "Making the Grade." Smith has worked in various markets including Fort Myers, Miami and now Los Angeles. 

Donovan X. Ramsey

Donovan X. Ramsey - Staff Writer - LA Times
Donovan X. Ramsey covers Black life in Los Angeles as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. Before joining The Times, he was a contributing writer for such publications as GQ, Vice, WSJ Magazine and the Atlantic, where he wrote memorable profiles of such figures as Bubba Wallace, Killer Mike and Ibram X. Kendi.

Ramsey also served as commentary editor of the Marshall Project and deputy editor of Complex.com. The Columbus, Ohio native is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He is currently completing his first book, a history of the crack epidemic for One World, an imprint of Random House.

May 2021 | Take Care: An Interactive Conversation on Managing Mental Wellbeing on the Job

From our event’s announcements:

Read the letter from Margo Spann’s family and join those sending letters to the District Attorney regarding her death in a hit-and-run incident.

You are welcome to participate in the Poynter survey of journalists who’ve been laid off due to the pandemic.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As social tension, COVID-19, and microaggressions continue to impact Black media professionals in the workplace, it is important that we remember to prioritize our mental health.

NABJLA gathered a panel of experts and community organizers working in the wellness space for “Take Care: An Interactive Conversation on Managing Wellbeing On the Job” to create space to engage in conversation around mental health care, tips/techniques to employ in your day-to-day encounters with anxiety and stress, and so much more! Shar Jossell moderated the insightful discussion with WalkGoodLA Founder Etienne Maurice, Media Psychologist Corey Emmanuel and the Freelance Health Reporter and Editor Nadra Nittle.

PARTICIPANTS:

Shar Jossell (Moderator)

NABJLA, Entertainment Journalist

Shar Jossell is a media personality, journalist, and writer. She focuses on pop culture reporting and writes in the intersections of trans identities, race, and entertainment. Shar has previously served as a panelist on AfterbuzzTV & Black Hollywood Live, quickly becoming one of their most sought after personalities. She was named to Obvious Magazine's inaugural Visionaries list in 2020. 

Shar has been featured on Buzzfeed, HuffPost, TMZ, Into, FOX Soul, That Grape Juice, and The Wrap--just to name a few. She's currently a rotating guest co-host on Channel Q Radio (Radio.com) and her show, the "Kiss & Tell Radio" podcast, available everywhere. Her bylines include ZORA, Bold Culture, & THEM.

Dr. Corey Emanuel

Men Talking Shift, Media Psychologist

Dr. Corey Emanuel is a Los Angeles-based writer-producer, media psychologist, and published children’s book author. He is the host of the digital series, Lend Me Your Lens, which has been featured in Black Enterprise magazine and the founder of the social movement, Men Talking Shift. Dr. Corey is an instructor at FYI-Films which teaches filmmaking to incarcerated teens. He also serves as a consultant for the Alliance of Leadership and Innovation for Victims of Exploitation (A.L.I.V.E.) which combats human trafficking in the Black community, and the Rodney King Foundation which is dedicated to ending police brutality and promoting social justice. Dr. Corey is passionately dedicated to using media and psychology to tell stories that educate, inform, and inspire diverse audiences across the globe.

Etienne Maurice

WalkGoodLA Founder

Etienne Maurice is a Los Angeles native, born to a Jamaican-American mother and Afro-European father. Etienne is a film maker, actor and activist, who is dedicated to using his creative passions for social change. Etienne's mission is to build his community in the virtual and physical space through the arts, health, and wellness. Outraged by the injustices against Black and Brown people, he initiated @WalkGoodLA. Recognizing the need for community healing, Etienne joined forces with his sister, Ivy Coco, lifestyle influencer, and cousin, Marley Ralph, yogi master, to create #2wiceAsHard , #BreatheGood and#RunGood. WalkGoodLA is a devoted homage to hisJamaican heritage and grandmother, who always reminded him to "Walkgood," a Jamaican euphemism meaning good fortune, safe travels and be well.

Nadra Nittle

Freelance Health Reporter & Editor

Nadra Nittle is a Los Angeles-based journalist who has been a staff writer for Vox Media, Digital First Media, and the Gannett/USA Today network. She is currently a contributing editor and writer for California Health Report, a contributing writer for Verywell, and a senior reporter for Civil Eats. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Toni Morrison's Spiritual Vision, available Oct. 5 from Fortress Press, and editor of the book America's Mental Health Crisis.

April 2021 | Allies Against Racism: Bridging The Divide - Journalists of Color in Conversation

NABJLA invited leaders from other diverse journalist-serving organizations to come together in April to discuss the current and critical issues related to racism. Watch the stream of this critical conversation at 9 a.m. PT and join our post-happy hour. The Zoom link to the happy hour will be provided in the Facebook chat towards the end of the stream.

The Presidents and Board Members from the National Association of Black Journalists Los Angeles (NABJLA), Asian American Journalists Association Los Angeles (AAJA-LA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists Los Angeles (NAHJ-LA) and Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) will have a candid conversation about many topics including recent acts of racial violence, exposing racism in our local communities through our stories, dispelling the ‘Model Minority’ myth, the unique battles each group is currently facing, the challenges of staying professionally neutral when covering racism within your own community, becoming anti-racism allies, how journalists can facilitate change and move us ALL forward in the future.

Panelists:

Anh Do (@NewsTerrier)

Anh Do is a Metro reporter covering Asian American issues and general assignments. A second-generation journalist, she has worked at the Dallas Morning News, the Seattle Times, the Orange County Register and Nguoi Viet Daily News, the largest Vietnamese-language newspaper in the U.S. Born in Saigon, Do is a graduate of USC with degrees in journalism and English and she has reported from Cuba, India, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam. Her writing on race and culture has won awards from Columbia University and the Asian American Journalists Association and she is a recipient of Yale’s Poynter Fellowship in Journalism. Apart from words, she’s passionate about all things canine, spending 25 years in dog rescue around the globe.

Cristina Silva (@CristyMSilva)

Cristina Silva is the president of NAHJ Los Angeles and a National Enterprise Editor for USA TODAY, overseeing a team of national correspondents with beats focused on immigration, national politics, housing and social services, race and other topics. She previously worked as News Director for Newsweek, where she helped manage an international newsroom of more than 60 editors and reporters. Cristina has written about politics, government, immigration and culture for USA TODAY, The Associated Press, the Tampa Bay Times, the Boston Globe, the Miami Herald, Salon, International Business Times and NPR. She has reported from Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Germany, Italy and Bahrain, as well as from across the United States. She grew up in Miami.

Tripp Crouse (@TrippCrouse)

Tripp Crouse is a board member of the Native American Journalist Association. Originally from the Midwest, Tripp is Ojibwe, a descendent of Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and has 15-plus years in print, web and radio journalism. Tripp first moved to Alaska in 2016 to work with KTOO Public Media in Juneau. And later moved to Anchorage in 2018 to work with KNBA and Koahnic Broadcast Corporation. As KNBA's News Director, Tripp covers Alaska Native and indigenous issues and policies. Tripp also currently served as chair and represents Alaska Native and tribal radio on the Station Advisory Committee for Native Public Media. A member of Native American Journalist Association, Alaska Native Media Group and Alaska Press Club, Tripp is an award-winning journalist with the goal of increasing the visibility and representation of Indigenous people in media.

Jarrett Hill (@JarrettHill)

Jarrett Hill is an award-winning journalist, speaker, media trainer, and host contributing to The New York Times, Variety, NBC News, CNN International, and Channel Q, among others. He is President of The National Association of Black Journalists’ Los Angeles chapter (NABJLA). Jarrett also co-hosts FANTI, a Maximum Fun podcast chosen as one of Apple Podcasts’ “Best of 2020.”

Tanya McRae (Moderator) (@TanyaMcRaeSoCal)

Tanya McRae is the Vice President of NABJLA and is an anchor and multimedia journalist for Spectrum News 1, where she hosts the award winning public affairs show “In Focus”. She is an Emmy Award winning television producer and two-time Emmy nominated reporter, and has a diverse background working in television on lifestyle, travel, reality, talk shows, and news.

March 2021 | Insider's Guide to the COVID-19 Vaccine and Legislation

As COVID-19 vaccines are rolling out across California and around the world, people in the Black community have questions and concerns that need answers. NABJLA has compiled a panel of top medical professionals and experts for “The Insider’s Guide To The Covid-19 Vaccine” this Saturday, March 27 at 11 a.m. PT to provide crucial information about how the vaccine works, why people are afraid to get the shot, who does it protect, the differences between Pfizer/Moderna/Johnson & Johnson versions, how they’re being distributed, what the American Rescue Plan means for you, and so much more! Nurse Alice Benjamin moderates the discussion with L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis, Nurse practitioner Dr. James Simmons and the Los Angeles Times’ Erika D. Smith. RSVP and learn more about our panelists below.

Panelists

Nurse Alice Benjamin

(Moderator)

“Nurse Alice” Benjamin is a board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist and Family Nurse Practitioner with over 23 years nursing experience specializing in cardiovascular, emergency and critical care. She currently works on the frontline in the emergency room. She has cared for some of the most complex cardiac patients and has extensive experience in burn, trauma, and emergency medicine. 

Nurse Alice graduated with honors from San Diego State University with a dual major in Nursing and Psychology. She later obtained a Masters Degree in Nursing Education/Clinical Nurse Specialist and Post- Masters as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

She is a recurring on-air health medical contributor for NBC 4 in Los Angeles and has appeared as a regular for other local and national news networks including The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors, CNN, HLN, FOX News, TVOne, BBC and KTLA Morning News. She hosts weekly digital shows, “The Exam Room with Nurse Alice” and “Nurse News Now with Nurse Alice,” and has brought back her “Ask Nurse Alice” podcast.

Dr. Muntu Davis

Dr. Muntu Davis serves as the Los Angeles County Health Officer at the Department of Public Health (DPH). In this role, Dr. Davis serves as the Department’s medical expert regarding public health matters and provides guidance to leadership across the organization. Working in partnership with DPH colleagues and health professional organizations, he consults on, interprets, and enforces County and State laws and regulations to protect and promote the health and wellness of all Los Angeles County residents. Dr. Davis comes to Los Angeles from the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) where he served as Director for six years and Health Officer since 2009. As the Director, he provided strategic and administrative leadership, direction and oversight to planning for a full range of public health activities for over 1.6 million county residents. In his role as County Health Officer, he led public health protection efforts; health policy development; and served as an advisor to elected and appointed officials, members of the medical profession, and the public on matters affecting public health and safety. For the past decade, he has contributed to statewide and national discussions around how to elevate and implement a health equity framework within government agencies. Dr. Davis practiced medicine in urban and rural primary care and urgent care clinics in Northern and Southern California. Dr. Davis has a MD from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a MPH from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts.

Dr. James Simmons

Dr. James Simmons is a Board Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, frontline healthcare provider during the Covid-19 pandemic, and passionate on-air medical contributor. As a proud member of the most trusted profession in America 19 years running, he is also the brains and heart behind the online community “Ask The NP, everything you’re too scared to ask your MD!” Dr. James continues to emerge as a leading healthcare voice at the intersection of the LGBTQ+ and Black communities. As seen and heard on NBC, FOX, CBS, Sirius XM, Radio.com, DASH Radio, PEOPLE magazine online and more, his combination of extensive multimedia experience and more than 10 years of hospital-based critical care practice make Dr. James a trusted source for real, relatable, and reliable health information.

Erika D. Smith

Erika D. Smith is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times writing about the diversity of people and places across California. She joined The Times in 2018 as an assistant editor and helped expand coverage of the state’s housing and homelessness crisis. She previously worked at the Sacramento Bee, where she was a columnist and editorial board member covering housing, homelessness and social justice issues. Before the Bee, Smith wrote for the Indianapolis Star and Akron Beacon Journal. She is a recipient of the Sigma Delta Chi award for column writing, a graduate of Ohio University and a native of the long-suffering sports town of Cleveland.

February 2021 | Hot Topics & Board Elections

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Join us Saturday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. PT for our next meeting. We will use the first 30 minutes to introduce our candidates for election and a Q&A with members.

The rest of the meeting will be a relaxed discussion about a host of hot topics impacting our industry. Feel free to bring your brunch and get comfortable.

Getting The Story: Navigating Breaking News

With the world we live in today becoming increasingly uncertain, this month we're discussing covering breaking news — the best practices for getting, covering, and sharing the story, and how to make your coverage effective. Join us via Zoom this Saturday. Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. PT for a conversation with HLN's Melissa Knowles, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tia Mitchell and the Los Angeles Times' Justin Ray. NABJLA member and Spectrum News 1's Tanya McRae will moderate.

Do note that registering for the event does not guarantee entrance. Only the first 100 registered people who login day-of will gain access to the Zoom room. All others can stream the event on our NABJLA Facebook page. RSVP for free and learn more about our panelists below.

Panelists:

Melissa Knowles
Melissa Knowles is a correspondent for "Morning Express with Robin Meade" on HLN, based in Atlanta.

Prior to joining the on-air team at HLN, she worked at Yahoo!, where she hosted "Trending Now," The Summer Olympic Games in London, and Super Bowl XLVII.

Earlier, Knowles served as a correspondent for BET News, and covered the presidential inauguration in 2013. Previously, she was an anchor/sideline reporter for Fox Sports covering the Detroit Pistons. Knowles also anchored "Big 12 This Week" on ESPNU, a weekly college sports show centered around the Big 12 Conference that broadcasts nationally. During the last five years, Melissa could also be seen on the sidelines reporting on many college football, basketball and lacrosse games on the ESPN family of networks.

Tia Mitchell
Tia Mitchell is Washington correspondent for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In this role, she writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.

Prior to joining the paper in 2017, Tia spent her entire career in Florida covering local and state government for publications like the Tampa Bay Times and The Florida Times-Union. She got her start at the Times-Union covering beats including City Hall, K-12 education and “night cops.”

Tia is a graduate of Florida A&M University and is originally from Louisville, Ky. She currently serves as the National Association of Black Journalists' Political Task Force Chair.

Justin Ray
Justin Ray is an audience editor for the Los Angeles Times' entertainment section. Previously, he has worked for NBC's owned stations and Columbia Journalism Review.

Tanya McRae
Tanya McRae is an Emmy Award winning television producer and two-time Emmy nominated reporter. She has a diverse background producing, field directing, writing, reporting, anchoring, and hosting. Tanya graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree from the Annenberg School of Communication, and began her career in television right out of college working as an Assignment Desk Assistant for ABC World News Tonight and Nightline in New York City. Her news background includes being a Reporter for Paragon Cable in NY, producing the national teen news program Channel One News, reporting and anchoring for the NBC affiliate in Palm Springs, and as a Multimedia Journalist for Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles. During her career, Tanya has also produced docu-series, lifestyle, travel, entertainment, and talk shows for broadcast and network cable companies. In August 2020, she was promoted to Anchor/MMJ and is currently the Host of their award-winning public affairs show, “In Focus SoCal”. Tanya first became a member of NABJLA in 2004.

Last NABJLA Meeting of the Year

Join us Saturday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. PT for our final meeting of the year. It's been a long 2020, but we're ready to look forward to what 2021 has in store for NABJLA. We'll also celebrate our scholarship winners.

Los Angeles Times Internships and Fellowships

Join us Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. PT for a conversation with Angel Jennings, the Los Angeles Times's new assistant managing editor of culture and talent, about internship and fellowship opportunities at the newspaper. This event is open to all NABJ students, regardless of the school you attend. 

Do note that registering for the meeting does not guarantee entrance. Only the first 100 registered people who login day-of will gain access to the Zoom room. All others can stream the event live on our NABJLA Facebook page.

The Politics of 2020: How This Year Changed Everything

To say 2020 brought us unprecedented times is cliche but it's facts. This year has transformed the way journalists and media report on politics, how newsrooms operate, and who are the storytellers and gatekeepers. Join us this Saturday, Oct 24 at 11 a.m. PT for this discussion with political journalists on how they've navigated COVID, racial uprisings, election interference and the many surprises that this intense election season continues to bring.

Panelists:

Zohreen Shah 

Zohreen Shah is an ABC correspondent based out of Los Angeles. Zohreen joined ABC News' campaign team last year, covering Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang and Michael Bloomberg's campaigns. Prior to joining ABC, Zohreen was a staff reporter for KTTV in Los Angeles, KSWB in San Diego and KTXL in Sacramento. She's a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and UCLA. 

IG: @Zohreen_
Twitter: @Zohreen 

Arit John

Arit John joined the Los Angeles Times in February 2020 as a political reporter covering the presidential campaign. John previously worked as a Styles reporter at the New York Times, as a congressional and political reporter at Bloomberg News, and as a breaking news writer at the Atlantic. She grew up in Rancho Cucamonga and studied English at UCLA.

Twitter: @AritBenie

Cerise Castle

Cerise Castle is a Los Angeles-based multimedia journalist specializing in arts & culture, civil rights, crime, and human interest stories. I have several years of experience as a multimedia journalist across print, television, and audio. She has produced and hosted segments for the Emmy-award winning nightly news program, VICE News Tonight, Los Angeles NPR affiliate KCRW and nationally syndicated radio program Marketplace. Cerise has also produced two series for the podcasting giant, Wondery. Her reporting and commentary have been featured in publications like The Daily Beast, The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine and MTV. In her free time, she is an avid hiker and stargazer.

IG: @yourmajestcee
Twitter: @cerisecastle

NABJLA's Third Annual Black Women In Media Discussion

Join us Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. PT for our third annual Black Women in Media Discussion. We will be joined by Shani Hilton of the Los Angeles Times, Mimi Brown of Fox LA, Anita Bennett of the Black News Channel and Urban Hollywood 411, and Dr. Tykeia N. Robinson, co-host of the Gettin’ Grown podcast. Returning for the second year as moderator is NABJLA Boardmember Shar Jossell. 

Do note that registering for the event does not guarantee entrance. Only the first 100 registered people who login day-of will gain access to the Zoom room. All others can stream the event live on our NABJLA Facebook page.

More about our panelists: 

Anita Bennett

Anita Bennett is the Los Angeles correspondent for the Black News Channel. She is also the founder of entertainment website urbanhollywood411.com.

An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Anita has spent years covering news and entertainment in Los Angeles, including as a contributing editor Deadline.com, as senior editor of the Los Angeles Daily News, and as deputy editor and on-camera host at TheWrap. Prior to moving into entertainment coverage, Anita was a news reporter for L.A. Cityview 35 in Los Angeles.

Anita graduated cum laude from Howard University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelors Degree in Communications. She is bilingual after having studied Spanish in Spain as a Fulbright Scholar. In 2018, she founded the website Urban Hollywood 411, to highlight African Americans in entertainment.

Mimi Brown

Mimi Brown is the host of FoxLA's Culture Conversations, a digital show launched by the station in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.  She interviews nationally recognized lawmakers, activists, and others working to bring equality and racial justice to our country.

Mimi also works on FOX 11's signature show, Good Day LA, producing daily segments highlighting the latest in local and national news, entertainment, fashion, and fitness.

Mimi began her journalism career 14 years ago as a red carpet reporter for US Weekly Magazine, where she covered the Oscars, the Grammys and movie premieres, interviewing celebrities whose names you know.  Mimi is also the host of the podcast, "Becoming Dope with Mimi Brown."

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Howard University and a Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from American University.

Mimi currently volunteers with several local community groups, mentoring young people and offering career advice.  She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 

Shani Hilton

Shani O. Hilton joined the Los Angeles Times as deputy managing editor in June 2019. Previously, she was at BuzzFeed News in New York City for six years, where she worked as vice president of news and programming, executive editor and deputy editor-in-chief. She oversaw the company’s news show programming and led efforts to diversify BuzzFeed News revenue through shows with a focus on live video, including “AM to DM” on Twitter and the documentary series “Follow This” on Netflix.

Hilton’s role also included structuring the news team, running special projects and managing a U.S. news staff of more than 200 award-winning journalists. She worked as an editor and oversaw tech, politics, national, entertainment and business coverage.

Prior to working at BuzzFeed News, Hilton was an editor and reporter at outlets including NBC Washington, Washington City Paper and the Center for American Progress. She grew up in Fontana and Stockton and studied journalism at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Tykeia N. Robinson, Ph.D.

Tykeia N. Robinson, Ph.D., aka “Dr. Keia” is the Assistant Director of Research and Policy in the Office of Undergraduate STEM Education at the Association of American Colleges and Universities.  Her current work focuses on empowering institutional leaders to 1) understand & interrogate existing organizational challenges and disparities, and 2) craft customized strategic initiatives that meet organizational needs with excellence and equity. Dr. Keia also co-hosts the Gettin’ Grown podcast on the Loud Speakers Network, a show about navigating the transitions of adulting as young Black millennials. Gettin' Grown recently celebrated over 8.5 million listens and downloads since its inception in 2017.  Tykeia earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Maryland College Park and is also the founder of "TeamTypingFast" (TTF), an online community of practice that prioritizes the wellness, success, and productivity of Black women academics, corporate professionals, and entrepreneurs. 

Shar Jossell (Moderator)

Shar Jossell is a media personality, journalist, and writer. She focuses on pop culture reporting and writes in the intersections of trans identities, race, and entertainment. Shar has previously served as a panelist on AfterbuzzTV & Black Hollywood Live, quickly becoming one of their most sought after personalities. She was named to Obvious Magazine's inaugural Visionaries list in 2020. 

Most recently, she has guest co-hosted Crooked Media's "Keep It" podcast (Ira Madison III, Louis Virtel, Aida Osman), and has been a guest pundit on Luminary's "Hear To Slay" (Roxane Gay, Tressie McMillan-Cottom), and Maximum Fun's "FANTI" (Tre'vell Anderson, Jarrett Hill).

Shar has been featured on Buzzfeed, HuffPost, TMZ, Into, FOX Soul, That Grape Juice, and The Wrap--just to name a few. She's currently a rotating guest co-host on Channel Q Radio (Radio.com) and her show, the "Kiss & Tell Radio" podcast, available everywhere. Her bylines include ZORA, Bold Culture, & THEM.