May 2019 | The New Old Beat: Reporting on Racism

Join us on Saturday, May 18th for a special discussion on reporting on racism and hate crimes, in partnership with our friends at the Society of Professional Journalists / Los Angeles Pro Chapter.

Panelists:

Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times race reporter

Deepa Bharath, OC Register religion reporter

Leslie Berestein Rojas, KPPC immigration reporter

Toni Guinyard, NBC Los Angeles reporter

Moderated by NABJLA’s Jarrett Hill & SPJ-LA’s Nathan Solis

Please note that the meeting will NOT be in Cagney, but across the hall in the Maxwell room. 

April 2019 | The 411 on 4/20: Covering Cannabis

As the recreational use of marijuana is increasingly legalized nationwide, we must be equipped as journalists to cover its implications for our communities. Join us Saturday, April 20 at 11am at the SAG/AFTRA headquarters (5757 Wilshire Blvd.) for a conversation about the “cannabiz” industry. Panelists include Kurtis Lee of the Los Angeles Times and Noemi Lujan Perez of ECO Diversity Media.

March 2019 | "Breaking Business"

This Saturday, March 16 we will dive into a discussion on how to get into business journalism and how it can apply to your news interests. We will also explore what's it like as a journalist of color reporting on the business, financial and economic trends impacting our society.

The panel will feature Sequoia Blodgett of Commas and Black Enterprise, Subrina Hudson of Orange County Business Journal, and Kibkabe Araya of Law.com.

Entry at the SAG-Aftra headquarters (5757 Wilshire Blvd) is free for NABJLA members and a $5 donation for non-members. Parking will be validated.

NABJ's Call for Diversity at CNN Grows

Color of Change, NNPA, Alphas, Jesse Jackson Sr., Rep. Ayanna Pressley Join Call for Action 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 8, 2019) – Color of Change, a national online force driven by more than 1.4 million members, is joining the National Association of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) call for a civil rights audit at CNN and more black representation among its news leadership.

“When there's more of us in the room fighting for our stories to be told, and raising awareness about the issues impacting our communities, we have an even better chance of creating change and ending the practices that unfairly hold us back,” said Color of Change in a statement released on Twitter. “We support @NABJ as they call for a civil rights audit, and put pressure on @CNN President Jeff Zucker to make diversity and inclusion improvements at the network.”

One of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., also made comments on the issue on Twitter, stating, "@CNN Pres Zucker refused to meet w/a 4-person @NABJ delegation. There are no Af-Am direct reports. There are no Af-Am Exec Prods @CNN. There are no VPs on the news side. There are no Af-Am Sr VPs on the news side of @CNN. Do not crush the darkness. Fight back with shifting eyes.”

Also lending its voice on Twitter is the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which is the trade association of more than 200 African-American-owned community newspapers from around the United States.

NNPA President Dr. Ben Chavez tweeted: “NNPA supports the NABJ and NAACP #DiversityAndInclusion @CNN #EndRacism #MediaExclusion #RacialDiscrimination.”

NNPA’s Chairman and Chicago Crusader Publisher Dorothy Leavell, provided the following statement: “The National Newspaper Publishers Association is in full support of equal and fair treatment of blacks in the media and stands solidly behind NABJ's efforts to diversify CNN.”

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) also has spoken out on NABJ’s efforts.

“The people of this country depend on our news organizations to deliver unbiased & fair reporting,” she said on Twitter to her nearly 60,000 followers. “That is impossible without equal representation. I stand behind @NABJ’s investigation into the lack of diversity within CNN’s leadership. #MediaDiversity.”

News organizations from around the world have reported on NABJ's call for more diversity in CNN's executive leadership. Thousands of social media users, including actress and comedian Marsha Warfield, economist and social commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux, and spiritual leader and activist Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, have engaged in dialogue around NABJ's call for CNN to prioritize diversity and inclusion.

In an NAACP statement released March 6 in support of NABJ, the organization underscored NABJ’s concerns: “CNN’s lack of black representation in leadership roles is troubling and another example of the media industry’s reluctance to address an issue that continues to plague newsrooms across the country.”

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Media Contact

Kanya Stewart

press@nabj.org

February 2019: The Politics and Pop Culture Intersection

This month we're talking about the increasingly intersecting worlds of our social and governmental politics with our popular culture while being tasked with covering such intersections as a journalist. We're excited to have a discussion about when and how to be objective as a reporter, when such objectivity isn't necessary, and figuring out the difference. 

We'll also be discussing our board election, hearing from candidates, and opening up voting immediately following our meeting.

We'll see you on Saturday morning at 11 AM sharp! 

(IMPORTANT NOTE: We're starting every meeting on time, so please show up early, ready to start at 11 a.m.)

January is our first-ever ALL HANDS meeting. We need all members in attendance to discuss the year ahead and provide input on planning. We'll be making a couple of announcements, having a Hot Topics discussion and developing the 2019 events calendar!

If you come every month or rarely attend we would like to have everyone join us for this month's session, as membership has significantly grown in the last year! 

Please arrive at SAG/AFTRA's Cagney Meeting Room on the first floor early as this meeting will begin on time, at 11 a.m. sharp. 

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

November 2018 | "Red Carpets, Publicists and the Black Press"

Ahead of awards season, we're partnering with the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Public Relations Society (BPRS-LA) on our Nov. 17th event focused on the experiences of black press and publicists in Hollywood. We will be joined, at 11 a.m. at the SAG-AFTRA Headquarters, by industry journalists and publicists.

Panelists:

Kelley L. Carter is the Sr. Entertainment Reporter for ESPN's The Undefeated where she covers the intersection of race, pop culture and sports. She's also worked for outlets including USA Today, Vibe, BuzzFeed, Ebony, Essence, ESPN.com, MTV News, the Chicago Tribune, and the Detroit Free Press. Carter is a Michigan State University alum.

Dr. Katherine Pieper received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Communication from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She has worked as a Research Scientist with Dr. Stacy Smith and Marc Choueiti at the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative since 2012. There, she has collaborated on research focused on employment patterns in film and television, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion in key production roles. 

Shawn Smith has more than 15 years of experience in the communications industry having worked for global brands including The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Entertainment. Recognized as a top leader in PR, Shawn continues to lead multi-million dollar campaigns for international franchises and properties. Currently she serves as a senior communication executive with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, leading PR campaigns for products inspired by DC Entertainment franchises including Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman; and Warner Bros. Animation. 

Michelle Watts has fleshed out positions at Essence Communications where she worked with the top names in entertainment and learned the practices of PR, The Mayor's Office of Communications - City of Cleveland where she acquired fearless mastery of the art & Universal/ Def Jam under the tutelage of Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter where she triumphed in the risk and rewards of the work and established herself as an industry leader. In 2012 the recognition of her talents demanded she open her own Public Relations practice. The Aziza Work Group launched in Los Angeles with such force that within three years her clients in the world of Comedy alone included, but were not limited to: Kevin Hart, Mike Epps, Lil Rel Howery, Deon Cole & DeRay Davis. The Aziza Work Group specializes in PR across multiple industries such as film, fine arts, television, major events, sports, law, children's toys and music.

October 2018 | "Two Sides of Trauma: Covering Police Violence"

For October's event, we are hosting a two-part discussion on trauma: one, a guided-dialogue on how our work impacts our emotional and mental health; two, exercises and practical application of self-care methods. 

We will have panelists from the news, activism and mental health professions discuss how we as journalists can maintain our wellbeing while experiencing the vicarious trauma from covering police violence, #livingwhileblack, and a hostile political environment. It will be an experiential conversation - not meant to critique police or politics.

The discussion begins at 11 a.m. at at the SAG/AFTRA Headquarters (5757 Wilshire Blvd). Parking, which is free, can be accessed behind the SAG-AFTRA building, off of Curson Ave. Parking validation will be provided.

Panelists

Nicole M. Ward, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Nicole Ward is a therapist who has helped professionals facilitate personal/professional growth through addressing vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Tia Oso, Community Organizer

Tia Oso is a speaker, writer, and community engagement professional specializing in social change initiatives. @Tia_Oso

Steve Patterson, NBC News Correspondent

Steve Patterson is an Emmy nominated NBC News reporter covering breaking news for NBC News, TODAY and MSNBC. @PattersonNBC

NABJ congratulates Sharif Durhams and Cheryl W. Thompson on their historic wins as NLGJA and IRE presidents

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) offers its sincerest congratulations to members Sharif Durhams on his election as president of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists during the organization's annual convention on Thursday, and Cheryl W. Thompson who was elected president of the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) this summer.

Both presidencies are firsts for black journalists leading IRE and NLGJA.

"NABJ is proud of members Sharif Durhams and Cheryl W. Thompson for their recent elections as presidents of NLGJA and IRE respectively," NABJ President Sarah Glover said. "As the country's demographics continue to become increasingly more diverse, it's noteworthy that NABJ members are stepping forward to take on organizational leadership roles that shape media discourse and the future of journalism."

Durhams' historic victory makes him the first African American president of the 28-year-old NLGJA. Durhams, a senior editor for news and alerting for CNN Digital, will preside over the national organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students advocating for fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ issues. He has been a member of NLGJA since 2000 and previously served as vice president of broadcast and treasurer.

"My goal is to improve the diversity of this organization as well as it's outreach," said Durhams, who has lifetime memberships in both NLGJA and NABJ. "I definitely want both organizations to work more together. In some ways, our issues mirror each other, such as making sure there is support in our newsrooms for diversity and getting people from diverse backgrounds into leadership positions.

"There are ways we can back each other up to make sure all of our voices are heard."

Prior to joining CNN, Durhams, an alum of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, worked at The Washington Post, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Charlotte Observer.

Thompson, who's leading the 43-year-old IRE as its first African American president, is a longtime investigative reporter at The Washington Post. She's also an associate professor of journalism at George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Thompson was named the 2017 NABJ Journalism Educator of the Year.

Thompson said she's committed to ensuring that IRE continues to thrive and excited to collaborate and share ideas with other organizations.  

"Investigative journalism is needed now more than ever in this country, and also around the world," she said. "Being a woman of color, who just happens to be board president, allows me the opportunity to show everyone that IRE is about inclusivity. Our organization should reflect the tapestry of this country, which is not just black and white."                                                                                               

###

About the National Association of Black Journalists:

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.

September 2018 | "Images of Black Women in Media"

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

***

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."

August | "What is A Journalist (in 2018)?"

Join us Saturday, August 18 for our next meeting: “What is A Journalist (in 2018)?" We will be at the SAG/AFTRA Headquarters (5757 Wilshire Blvd) -- discussing the changing faces of journalism. Our president Tre'vell Anderson and vice president Jarrett Hill will co-moderate. 

Entrance is free for NABJLA dues-paying members. Tickets are $5 for non-members.

July | "Podcasting in Color"

Join us Saturday, July 28 for our next meeting: “Podcasting in Color." We will be joined -- at the SAG/AFTRA Headquarteres (5757 Wilshire Blvd) -- by Shar Jossell, Kristina Lopez and Sam Sanders in a discussion about the ins and outs of podcasting and how the medium has become a home for marginalized voices. Our president Tre'vell Anderson will moderate. 

Entrance is free for NABJ-LA dues-paying members. Tickets are $5 for non-members.

Shar Jossell

Shar Jossell (@SharSaysSo) is a media personality, entertainment journalist, and pop culture guru. Aside from co-hosting the "Kiss and Tell Radio" podcast, she also hosts pop culture news rundowns on her 'Shar Says So' YouTube channel. Shar has been featured on Buzzfeed, TMZ, Us Weekly, and Love B. Scott. She also previously served as a panelist on AfterBuzz TV & Black Hollywood Live, quickly becoming one of their most sought after personalities.

Darian Arvin

Darian Arvin (@dariansymone) is a news curator and podcast host working on thoughtful and shareable ways to present news and information to people, through their phones and IRL. She has worked on multiple platforms of storytelling — TV, print and digital — for national news organizations NBC News, CBS, Yahoo News and HRDCV . Her most recent position was at BuzzFeed News as a News Curation Editor. Darian continues to produce her podcast "Am I Allowed To Like Anything?", a space she create to talk with people about their work, their lives, and the thing in culture they're actually loving right now.

Kristina Lopez

Kristina Lopez (@KristinaLopez) is the Associate Digital Producer of American Public Media podcasts like "The Hilarious World of Depression," "Brains On!," "Too Beautiful To Live" and more. She is also the co-creator and producer of "Plz Advise," an advice podcast hosted by TV writer and HelloGiggles co-founder Molly McAleer. Last year, Kristina presented at WNYC’s Werk It festival and was an AIR New Voice scholar. She has also worked as a digital producer for KABC-TV in Los Angeles and as a freelance journalist.

Sam Sanders

Sam Sanders (@samsanders) is a reporter and host of "It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders" at NPR. In the show, Sanders engages with journalists, actors, musicians and listeners to gain the kind of understanding about news and popular culture that can only be reached through conversation. Previously, as a key member of NPR's election unit, Sam covered the intersection of culture, pop culture and politics in the 2016 election, and embedded with the Bernie Sanders campaign for several months. He was also one of the original co-hosts of NPR's Politics Podcast, which launched in 2015.

June 2018 | “Images Of Black Men In Media”

Join us Saturday, June 2 for our next meeting: “Images of Black Men in Media.” As part of NABJ’s nation-wide 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, we will be joined by a diverse panel of entertainment and media personalities including producer and CEO of Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures Byron Allen, “Queer Eye” host Karamo Brown, “Access” correspondent Scott Evans, actor and comedian Lil’ Rel Howery and “TMZ” producer Van Lathan. Our vice president, Jarrett Hill, will moderate.

Tickets are $5, with all proceeds going to our scholarship program. Tickets are free for NABJ-LA dues-paying members with discount code. Purchase tickets here.

Event Co-chairs: Robert Harrell and Jarrett Hill

Byron Allen is a comedian, producer, media mogul and philanthropist who founded his global media company, Entertainment Studios, in 1993. With the March 2018 purchase of The Weather Channel, Entertainment Studios now owns a total of eight 24-hour HD cable television networks and also produces, distributes and sells advertising for 41 broadcast and cable television programs, making Entertainment Studios one of the largest independent producers and distributors of television programming.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Entertainment Studios has offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, and Raleigh and is the first African American-owned studio producing and distributing wide-release motion pictures. In 2016, Entertainment Studios purchased TheGrio, a digital, video-centric news platform devoted to providing African-Americans with compelling stories and perspectives currently underrepresented in existing national news outlets. TheGrio features aggregated and original video packages, news articles, and blogs on topics that include breaking news, politics, health, business, and entertainment. The digital platform remains focused on curating engaging digital content and currently has more than 20 million annual visitors.

Karamo Brown is a dynamic talk and lifestyle television host. He can currently be seen as the Culture expert on the hit Netflix reboot, “Queer Eye.” Karamo serves a ‘life coach,” engaging the people he makes-over in important culturally relevant conversations that help them get to the core of understanding themselves so they can better relate to the world better around them. Karamo can also be seen on H2’s “Breaking Mysterious”, airing in Canada and the UK, and is also the host of MTV’s “Are You the One: Second Chances.”

Before television, Karamo graduated from Florida A&M University and worked as a licensed social worker for nearly a decade. He began his television career in 2004 as a housemate on the hit MTV reality series “The Real World”, becoming the first openly-gay African-American in the history of reality television.

Scott Evans is the West coast correspondent for Access Hollywood Online.

Scott first got involved in media in high school where he worked on the teen directed and produced, bi-weekly television show “360 Degrees” which aired on the MTV-2 affiliate in Indianapolis. There he’d learn the basics of video production and create memorable work on topics like teen homelessness, preparing for college and how to plan the perfect date. He then, for four seasons, served as the game host for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. As the youngest to ever hold the position, at every home game and in front of thousands of basketball fans he developed a keen “think on your feet,” delivery style.

Scott went on to become The Face of My-Indy TV – the spokesperson for the network. While there he’d also serve as an entertainment reporter for the sister station WISH-TV 8, the local CBS affiliate, where he’d bring each newscast a fresh perspective and unique energy. It’d be those qualities that took him to Los Angles where he’d become the West-Coast Correspondent for One Minute News, a millennial news organization that produced quick personality driven bits on the biggest stories of the day. The bug for news would bite hard, and soon so did New York and Channel One News, the CBS partnered national news show that reaches 5 millions viewers daily. Serving as an anchor and reporter, Scott has interviewed people like the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner – Malala Yousafzai, to legendary Academy Award winning Director James Cameron and the iconic Grammy Award winning band The Jonas brothers.

Lil’ Rel Howery is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer and producer known for his role as TSA agent Rod Williams in the Oscar-winning instant classic “Get Out.”

Lil Rel starred in the critically-acclaimed NBC comedy series “The Carmichael Show,” appearing alongside Loretta Devine and David Alan Grier as star Jerrod Carmichael’s brother. He also executive produced, wrote and starred in the “gleefully absurd” weekly sketch comedy show “Friends of the People” on TruTV.

As Howery ascends in Hollywood, he is prepping for his lead role in the film “Uncle Drew” which is slated to hit theaters June 29 while guest-starring in HBO’s “Insecure.” He will also star in “Rel,” which Fox recently ordered to series; he serves as executive producer of the comedy.

Van Lathan is a screenwriter who is developing both independent film and television projects while also serving as a TMZ Entertainment Senior Producer. Previously, Van worked in broadcast as the host of The Red Pill podcast. He is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana before relocating to Los Angeles. Van is most recently known for his televised conversation with rapper Kanye West over difference of opinions in political views and slavery.

May 2018 | “More Than Search: Google Tools”

Join us Saturday, May 19 for our next meeting: “More Than Search: Google Tools.” We will be partnering with the Los Angeles chapter of the Assn. of LGBTQ Journalists for a workshop and training on the many tools Google has that media professionals can make use of including Advanced Search, Trends, Maps, Public Data Explorer and more. The training will be lead by Amara Aguilar, a member of the Society of Professional Journalists which has partnered with the Google News Initiative. Please bring your laptops!

For more information about SPJ’s partnership with Google, click here.

April 2018 | “Many Platforms, One Voice: Modern Freelance Journalism”

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.

February | "#RepresentationMatters: Beyond The Oscars"

Please join us Saturday, Feb. 17 for our next monthly meeting. In anticipation of the entertainment industry’s biggest night, we will discuss the Academy Award nominees nominees, Hollywood’s ongoing diversity and inclusion conversation and look to the future of storytelling. We will be joined by the Black List founder Franklin Leonard, LA Times film writer Jen Yamato and CAA motion picture agent Jelani Johnson. The meeting will take place at the SAG-AFTRA building at 11 a.m. It is free for dues-paying members and $5 for non-members. We look forward to see you.

Franklin Leonard (@FranklinLeonard) is the founder of the Black List, the yearly publication highlighting Hollywood’s most popular unproduced screenplays and the company birthed to continue its mission of identifying and celebrating great screenwriting. Over 325 Black List scripts have been produced as feature films earning more than 250 Academy Award nominations and 50 wins including four of the last nine Best Pictures and ten of the last twenty screenwriting Oscars. Franklin has worked in development at Universal Pictures and the production companies of Will Smith, Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, and Leonardo DiCaprio. He has been a juror at the Sundance, Toronto and Guanajuato Film Festivals and for the PEN Center Literary Awards. He was also a delegate and speaker at the White House’s 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2010, he has been named one of Hollywood Reporter’s 35 Under 35, Black Enterprise magazine’s “40 Emerging Leaders for Our Future,” The Root’s 100 Most Influential African-Americans, Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” and was awarded the 2015 African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)’s Special Achievement Award for career excellence. He is a member of the Associates Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jen Yamato (@JenYamato) is a reporter and critic covering the entertainment industry for the Los Angeles Times. After starting her career as an editor at Rotten Tomatoes, she has written for The Daily Beast, Deadline Hollywood, Movieline and various film publications across the web. She has covered prestigious film festivals from Sundance to Cannes and pop culture events like Comic-Con, chased celebrities down red carpets and reported from the Oscars, and appeared as a guest on CNN, 20/20 and some of your favorite movie podcasts. She’s still waiting for Hollywood to apologize for “Ghost in the Shell” and is a member of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA).

Jelani Johnson is a motion picture agent at CAA, with clients such as Will Packer, A$AP Rocky, Melina Matsoukas, Cheo Coker, Jesse Williams, Gina Rodriguez, Mara Brock Akil and André Holland, among others. He began his career in entertainment as an intern at CAA and transitioned into talent management at the Santa Monica-based management company Generate. He subsequently co-founded The Mission Entertainment, a management and production company focused on diverse content creators, before returning back to CAA. Johnson received a bachelor’s degree in history and anthropology from Columbia University.