All Day

Training Day: Help for Young Journalists and Others Getting Ready for the Convention

Whether it's your first NABJ or NAHJ convention or you've been here before, it's always good to be as ready as possible when meeting potential employers and internship or fellowship coordinators. This day-long series of workshops targeting younger participants and other job seekers will help you get your resume to the top of an application pile or leave a winning impression during an interview. NABJ Student Representative Wilton Jackson and NAHJ Student Representative Sebastian Vega will be on hand to get things started. |Track: Getting Started

CNN Reporters Workshop: From Local Reporter to National Correspondent ** REGISTRATION REQUIRED **

This day-long workshop gives promising local television reporters the look into what it takes to be a successful Network Correspondent. Top network journalists will use interactive training to teach you the different skills, experiences and background you need to make it at the network level. You will hear from network correspondents, producers and executives and get firsthand insight into the reality and rigors of the job. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Host: Ramon Escobar, Vice President, Talent Recruitment & Development, CNN

• Al Tomkins, Senior Faculty for Broadcast and Online, Poynter

• Barry Nash, Founder and Head Coach, Barry Nash & Co.

Building Your Brand: How To Use Social Media To Become A Better Journalist & Stand Out At Your News Organization - Powered by Sinclair Broadcast Group ** REGISTRATION REQUIRED **

This all-day learning lab features three dynamic morning panel discussions and hands-on afternoon breakout sessions. Participants have lunch on their own at noon. The day starts with the panels, which are open to registered convention attendees. The learning lab picks back up after lunch with two breakout workshops, one for people who need basic help boosting their social media profile and one for more seasoned social media users.

• Moderator: Maureen Bunyan, WJLA-TV

• Roland Martin, TV One

• Wesley Lowery, The Washington Post

• Scott Livingston, Sinclair Broadcast Group

• Blaise Labbe, Sinclair Broadcast Group

• John Colucci, Sinclair Broadcast Group

• Gene Park, The Washington Post

• Ingrid Sturgis, Howard University

• Manny Fantis, Sinclaire Broadcast Group

• Michelle Williams, The Washington Post

• Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post

Half Day

So You Think You Want to Teach? A Conversation and Q&A with Seasoned Educators

Do you have questions about transitioning into the classroom? Confused by academic jargon? Unsure what you need to apply? CV versus resume? Academia has a set of rules and regulations that are unique. Navigating them can be bewildering for a newbie. And the rules change depending on whether you're a part-time adjunct or full-time (tenure or non-tenure track). Here’s your chance to sit down with seasoned journalism and communications educators who will share what they wish they'd known before they started teaching.

• Bill Celis, Associate Professor, University of Southern California

• Brooke Barnett, Associate Provost for Inclusive Community and Professor, School of Communications, Elon University

• Mei-Ling Hopgood, Associate Professor, Medill School of Journalism, Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University

• Rafael Lorente, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Master’s Program at the University of Maryland, College Park.

• Marcella DeVeaux, Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge

A Frank Discussion About Race in Academia: How it Matters Where you Teach

Whether you’re at a large school with few students and faculty of color, or at a historically African American or Hispanic institution, you may face issues that most of your white counterparts don’t. You may find yourself juggling the demands of teaching, research, and committee assignments with the “invisible labor” of mentoring students of color who aren’t even in your class. Or you may land at an institution with limited resources and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Then there are the long-standing complaints when it comes to tenure and promotion of faculty of color. In this session we’ll debrief on what it’s like to teach in various ecosystems and why it matters where you land.

• Bill Celis, Associate Professor, Journalism, University of Southern California

• Will Sutton, Journalism Lecturer, Grambling State University

• Lisa Armstrong, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

• Michelle Johnson, Journalism, Associate Professor, Boston University

• Mei-Ling Hopgood, Associate Professor, Northwestern University

Basics of Great Teaching: Demystifying Tools and Methods

Got grading rubrics? Does your syllabus need an overhaul? And how do you get the most out of that terrible, buggy course management software? You’ll walk away from this session with an understanding of tools and techniques that can help you get started or turbo-charge your teaching.

Related: See the Educator track in the conference program for details on “Ignite Teaching,” to find some new ideas for teaching journalism.

• Michelle Johnson, Boston University

• Robert Hernandez, University of Southern California

• Dr. Sybril Brown, Belmont University

All Day Learning Lab:

Inclusive America: Forgoing A New 21st Century Economic Narrative

Powered by ScaleUp Partners

8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Learning Lab Sessions

This lab will expose attendees to high influencers, governmental, philanthropic and corporate efforts to transform the nation’s divided sectors into a renewed landscape of economic equity and Inclusive Competitiveness™. We will address current problems and introduce new relevant data, knowledge and expert resources to craft a new 21st century narrative for a globally competitive Inclusive America. Journalists will meet the leading change-makers, visionaries and experts across areas of community activism, education, entrepreneurship, tech-based workforce, investing and economic development.

Download our free App! Reserve your seat. Learn more about the lab, speakers and sponsors. Get access to data, resources and industry experts at, and beyond, the conference.

my.yapp.us/inclusive

Panelists:

• Erica Atwood, Senior Consultant, Cities United
• Gina Belafonte Co-Director, Sankofa
• William Bell, Mayor, City of Birmingham, Alabama
• Andrew Scot Bolsinger, Senior Administrator, ScaleUp Partners
• Peggy Cooper Cafritz, Co-founder, Duke Ellington School of Arts
• John Jack Calhoun, Founder, Hope Matters
• Alejandra Castillo, National Director, Minority Business Development Agency
• Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director, Advancement Project
• Derek Dingle, Chief Content Officer, Black Enterprise Magazine
• Shawn Dove, Executive Director, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, CBMA
• Althea Dryden, Executive Assistant, Cities United
• Soffiyah Elijah, Executive Director, The Alliance of Families for Justice
• Marcus Ellis, Safer, Stronger DC Manager
• Kathryn Finney, Managing Director, Digital Undivided
• Jade Floyd, Senior Director of Communications, Case Foundation
• Lilibeth Gangas, Chief Technology Community Officer, Kapor Center for Social Impact
• Mike Green, Co-founder, ScaleUp Partners
• Sheila Herrling, Senior VP of Social Innovation, Case Foundation
• Johnathan Holifield, Co-founder, ScaleUp Partners
• Cheryl Houser, Co-founder & Producer, Generation Startup film
• Dwayne Johnson, Co-founder, ScaleUp Partners
• Sarah Koch, VP of Social Innovation, Case Foundation
• Doug Mitchell, Co-founder NewU Minority Media Entrepreneurs
• Laura Weidman Powers, CEO, Code2040
• Earl Robinson, CEO, Consequent Capital Management LLC
• Rashad Robinson, Executive Director, Color of Change
• Rashid Shabazz, VP of Communications, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, CBMA
• Anthony Smith, Executive Director, Cities United
• Antonio Yarbough, Advisor, Alliance of Families for Justice

8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Job Fair 101

Learn the ins and outs of how to get the most out of the NABJNAHJ16 convention job fair. This session is aimed at young journalists, new professionals and communiications and media professionals. In this workshop, you'll learn networking - including how to create and maintain a network - as well as about resumes, cover letters and resume tapes. You'll also learn how to work a room and the top dos and don'ts for the job fair.

• Moderator: Kelvin E. Washington, Host, The Kelvin and Travis Morning Show, ESPN Los Angeles

• Darren E. Haynes, Sports Anchor, ESPN

• Maria Taylor, College Analyst, Reporter, ESPN

• Karen Testa, East Regional Editor, the Associated Press

• Pia Jordan, assistant professor, multimedia journalism, Morgan State University

8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

NABJ Chapter Day

Each year, the leaders of NABJ's chapters come together from across the country for this once-a-year opportunity to meet face-to-face. Chapter Day is an opportunity to fellowship, network, share ideas and to learn ways to elevate chapter management. NABJ chapter leaders are welcome to join this day-long session, which will feature a leadership talk led by Roland Martin, host of News One Now and commentator for TV One, regional caucuses and tips on programming and professional development.

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Twelve Steps to Chapter Fitness

The final session in a four part series hosted by Terry Allen, sales and brand strategist. This series is designed to help chapter leaders identify funding sources to establish a sound financial base. The series will provide concrete steps to maximize the chapters potential to build a strong revenue stream.

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Maximizing Engagement and Impact through Multi-Platform Projects

Go beyond traditional storytelling techniques with transmedia journalism, an approach to storytelling that incorporates multiple platforms and can create new opportunities for engagement and impact. Reporters and editors who can use their core skills to contribute to such projects either within their own organizations or by partnering with others can demonstrate innovation and relevance in the rapidly changing media environment. Learn from innovative journalists who will examine cross-platform storytelling projects, discuss practical applications of emerging technologies and share editorial and production planning and distribution strategies.

• Lynne Clendenin, Vice President of Programming, Oregon Public Broadcasting

• David Stuckey, Digital Producer, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Explore Something New: Why You Should Become a Travel Writer or Transportation Journalist

Exotic locales, fine dining, exhilarating adventures. It sounds sexy, but that's not why you should delve into the wonderful world of travel journalism. The industry includes beats from transportation to legislation, as well as vacation, allowing us to generate news that pulsates through the heart of Americans on the go. Travel is hot right now and can really take you places in your career. Whether it’s airbnb and uber or airline mergers and Hyperloop trains, hear from writers, editors, bloggers and PR professionals about how to navigate the travel and transportation beats. You’ll learn where to turn for sources, how to pitch editors, and even how to get paid to travel the world. From freelance writing to staff reporting and public relations, the travel industry is one worth exploring.

• Sheree R. Curry, Manager, PR & Communications, Travel Leaders, Secretary, Twin Cities Association of Black Journalists

• Eileen P. Gunn, Editor, FamiliesGo!, #MOMTravelChat on Twitter

• Robin Washington, Producer, Planes, Trains & Automobiles, LLC

• Benet Wilson, Owner/Editor-In-Chief, Aviation Queen LLC

• Eric Moya, Destinations Editor, Travel Weekly

The Art of the Deal: Negotiating Your Future

A diverse panel of experts will cover tips on mapping out your career focusing on: Employment Agreements, Raises & Perks, Positioning for a Promotion, When do you need an agent, and Seizing your next opportunity.

• George Smith, Anchor, WFLD-TV

• Mary Cavallaro, Chief Broadcast Officer, SAG-AFTRA

• Crystal Johns, Agent, UTA Bienstock

• Sitara Nieves, Interim Executive Producer, Marketplace

• Gregg Willinger, President, Willinger Talent Agency

Can You Handle the Truth? Deciphering When News Isn't Real

Are we living in an anti-fact world? In this era of "truthiness," news sources go viral even as they spout less fact and more fiction, creating plenty of work for fact-checking sites. For readers, overloaded with information in the social media world, these sites offer an oasis of truth. The panel examines how bots, politicians, liars, government and corporate propaganda are creating a fundamental change in public discourse that requires a new look at the role of fact-check journalism, or accountability journalism, in a democracy.

• Ingrid Sturgis, Associate Professor/New Media, Howard University, Editor, Truthbetold.news

• Yanick Rice Lamb, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Media, Journalism and Film, Howard University

• Angie Drobnic Holan, Editor, Politifact

• Ron Nixon, Correspondent, The New York Times, Cofounder, Truthbetold.news

• Brookie Madison, Student, Howard University

Getting the Story Right: Law Basics and New Approaches to Immigration Reporting

With no prospects of passing comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama's contested executive actions and the demonization of immigrants and immigration policies during the presidential debates have further fueled debate and generated media coverage that hasn't accurately delved into the complex issues behind the law and the popular response to what some call a crisis.During this session, journalists will get an overview of key concepts of U.S. immigration law, learn how current developments and trends relate to federal immigration law and how to turn complex immigration issues into compelling stories. Seasoned journalists will share how to find people to profile, conduct interviews with unauthorized immigrants and develop expert sources that can help viewers/readers understand the root causes of immigration, trends, and recent Supreme Court decisions.

• Alfredo Corchado, Mexico City Bureau Chief, Dallas Morning News

• Angela Korchega, Journalist, Borderlands Director, Cronkite News at Arizona PBS

• Nelson Castillo, Immigration Attorney/Columnist/TV Commentator, Castillo Law Firm

Reporting on Race in America: Lessons from Local Newsrooms - Powered by The National Association of Broadcasters

Local television and radio newsrooms frequently find themselves at the epicenter of news stories where race is a principal factor-ranging from coverage of racially-motivated crimes to coverage of demonstrations and civil unrest. How do local newsrooms prepare themselves to effectively cover these events? Can stations' relationships with various segments of their local communities enable them to report more effectively than other news outlets? What best practices do stations employ to ensure diversity in their coverage of stories where race is not necessarily a factor? Join us for a discussion of what local stations are doing well and what steps they can take to improve.

• Moderator: Paula Madison

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Building Your Brand: How to Use Social Media to Become a Better Journalist & Stand Out At Your News Organization: Why Social Media Matters to Your Job

***Registration Required***

This discussion will focus on how news organizations are increasingly including social media engagements in evaluating employees.

• Moderator: Maureen Bunyan, WJLA-TV

• Gene Park, The Washington Post

• Ingrid Sturgis, Howard University

10:05 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Touching Home Base

This two part session offers a chance to have an open and candid conversation with NABJ leadership and board members for an update on the direction of the national organization, understanding the vision for the association, and sage advice on overcoming barriers on a local level from experienced chapter leaders.

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

The Data Have a Familiar Face: Humanizing Investigative Projects to Make Readers Care

You’ve carved out time to do that long-form, data-driven story bubbling up from your beat. You know the analysis is compelling, but you don’t want to overwhelm readers with statistical findings, and starve the narrative. This panel features investigative reporters who’ve learned how to write narratives rooted in data. They will walk you through lessons learned (and mistakes made), while balancing solid analysis with poignant characters. No matter the size of your story -- a Sunday centerpiece or a year-long investigation -- this session aims to ensure your data-driven investigations sing. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge , Covering the Story

• Moderator: Talia Buford, Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

• Kristen Lombardi, Senior Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

• Susan Ferriss, Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

• Ben Wieder, Computer Assisted Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

• Josh Mankiewicz, Correspondent, Dateline NBC

Fresh Faces, Big Ideas: Evolving From Young Reporter to Leader

You're young, you're fresh, you're new to a newsroom — and you've got a big idea. You want to create something innovative and start a project — a long-term investigative reporting piece, a podcast, a data visualization feature, a live event, an ongoing reader engagement campaign, and an internal newsroom task force. Your idea will require time, money, and contributions from other people in the newsroom, across desks and platforms. How do you turn your big idea into a reality? How do you demonstrate that you’re ready to lead? This workshop is co-coordinated with Marissa Evans and the Young Black Journalists task force. |Track: Educators, Managing Your Career, Getting Started

• Moderator: Martine Powers, Metro Reporter, The Washington Post

• Adam Harris, Assistant Social Editor, ProPublica

• Nicole Chavez, Breaking News Reporter, Austin-American Statesman

• Talia Buford, Environmental and Labor Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

• Astead Herndon, City Hall reporter, The Boston Globe

How to Pitch Ethnic-Themed Content Within a Mainstream Organization​

Many media organizations say they want diversity and will often back efforts to diversify content. However creating that content can face some unexpected hurdles that require creative solutions. For example, how to maneuver the very tricky balancing act of not talking down to your target audience while explaining cultural nuances to a wider audience? How do you reach that target audience if it is not part of the established audience already? How to deal with senior managers who just don’t get it? Are there different metrics for successes for this content? How to celebrate successes?

• Dean Baquet, Executive Editor, The New York Times

• Keith Brown, Senior Vice President, Programming, HLN

• Adrian Florido, Reporter, NPR's Code Switch Team

How to Land Your Dream Arts and Entertainment Gig Before 30

The panelists all have drool-worthy, specialty jobs and got them before they turned the big 3-0. We hear from them about what steps they took as students and professionals to land them these high profile A&E positions. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Kelley Carter, Senior Writer, ESPN's The Undefeated

• Sylvia Obell, Pop Culture Writer, BuzzFeed

• Justin Tinsley, Staff Writer, ESPN's The Undefeated

• Mesfin Fekadu, Music Editor, The Associated Press

• Gerrick Kennedy, Music Writer, The Los Angeles Times

The Rent's Too Damn High: Covering Housing and Gentrification

Gentrification is dramatically changing the face of housing throughout major metropolitan areas, often times displacing African American and Latino residents in the process. This panel will delve into the how’s of reporting what may not be the most obvious story in this trending topic from experienced reporters that have covered this issue and housing experts that are potential sources. This panel is for reporters and those interested in covering housing, real estate, business & finance, education and community development. |Track: Covering the Story

• Moderator: Robert Pierre, President, Bald Cypress

• Cher Castillo Freeman, Owner & Principal Broker, RE/MAX SKY Real Estate

• Todd A. Lee, Executive Director, District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency

• Brentin Mock, Staff Writer, CityLab.com

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

How to Do Investigative Reporting on Your Beat

Covering a beat and can never find the time to do investigations? This hands-on session will walk participants through the investagate process from start to finish while still covering a beat. During the session, participants will learn how to come up with ideas, strategies for gaining access to public records, and how to managing your time during an investigation. Participants will also learn how to effectively used the freedom of information act and various web tools to get access to information. Finally, the panel will walk through the process and different styles of writing the investigative story. |Track: Covering the Story,

• Nikole Hannah-Jones, Staff Writer, The New York Times magazine

• Topher Sanders, Investigative Reporter, ProPublica

• Cory Johnson, Staff Writer The Marshall Project

• Ron Nixon, Washington Correspondent, The New York Times

• Rene Marsh, Aviation and Government Regulation Correspondent, CNN​

Why We Do What We Do: Keys to Great Visual Storytelling

Visuals at a radio company?! This panel will show how the NPR Visuals team uses photos, illustration, and data visualization to bring radio stories to life online. This panel will include plenty of examples and stories of both success and the persistent challenges of online visual storytelling at a legacy media organization. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• David Eads, Supervising Editor, News Applications, NPR Visuals

• Ariel Zambelich, Supervising Editor, Photo, NPR Visuals

The Sound Salon

Join NPR's Mandalit del Barco in a fun, enlightening, interactive showcase of audio storytelling. The annual Sound Salon features creative stories by reporters and producers from public and commercial radio, websites, podcasts and other outlets. Participants are encouraged to get in touch with the moderator before the salon, or they can arrive with recordings of their own work to share. This popular session is ears-on and informal, yet designed to exchange ideas and techniques, and also to get you excited about the best in today’s audio storytelling. This relaxed but fun session gives reporters/producers a chance to showcase their work, share techniques and strategies. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Luis Clemens, Senior Editor for Diversity, National Public Radio
• Danyell Irby, Supervising Editor, National Desk, National Public Radio

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Building Your Brand: How to Use Social Media to Become a Better Journalist & Stand Out at Your News Organization: Social Media Gone Wrong - Powered by CBS

***Registration Required***

Social media is more than white noise. Used right you can drive people to your work and your organizations’ sites. This panel will focus on the horror stories from social media gaffes. It will also include the pitfalls to avoid as you increase your presence online.

• Moderator: Michelle Singletary, The Washington Post

   

​11:35 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

This Works

Programming and professional development is the meat and potatoes that feeds local chapters. This session will keep your members well fed with ideas from chapters across the country on successful programs that keep members informed and engaged. This session answers the daunting question "why should I join?"

​11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Inclusive America - Powered by ScaleUp Partners

An Inclusive America cannot afford to leave behind more than 600,000 released inmates each year. These Americans seek survival on the outer edges of society.

Presenters:

• Soffiya Elijah, Former Exec. Dir. Correctional Association of NY, and Exec. Dir. of The Alliance of Families for Justice
• Antonio Yarbough, Alliance of Families for Justice; exonerated in 2014 after more than two decades in the notorious Attica Correctional Facility for crimes he did not commit

Programming and professional development is the meat and potatoes that feeds local chapters. This session will keep your members well fed with ideas from chapters across the country on successful programs that keep members informed and engaged. This session answers the daunting question "why should I join?"

12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
(Professional Development Luncheon)

Narrative Change in Entertainment and the Media - Powered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Our perspectives, perceptions and behaviors are influenced by many factors – a major one being the stories and narratives we hear, watch and consume. Often the narratives influence us to consciously or unconsciously treat people differently based on what we think we know of them. This reality has many implications and there are growing efforts emerging to address the stereotypes and misconceptions that fuel racial tensions in communities. Clearly, the nation must address how the media and entertainment industries predominantly portray people and communities of color. Join a dynamic conversation among leading artists and entertainment and media professionals about the ways they working to creatively address this issue.

• Greeting: Dr. Gail Christopher, senior advisor and vice president of Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Moderator: Ed Gordon, Ed Gordon Media & Bounce TV
• Julie Ann Crommett, Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief, Google
• Solly Granastein, Executive Producer. America Divided
• Jonathan Kaufman, Director, Northeastern University School of Journalism

12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Building a Savvy Resume Reel

Does your reel pass the :10 second test? What news directors look for when hiring new talent. Attend this session to find out how to make your resume reel stand out. News Directors give the inside scoop as well as examples of what to do and what not to do.

• Matt Piacente, News Director, Fox News Chicago

• Jennifer Lyons, News Director, WGN TV

• John Walton, News Director, KTAL, Shreveport, La.

• Ramon Escobar, CNN Talent Recruitment, Atlanta, Ga.

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Building Your Brand: How to Use Social Media to Become a Better Journalist & Stand Out at Your News Organization: Social Media Gone Wrong - Powered by CBS

***Registration Required***

Beginners: A team of social media experts will work with small groups of people to help them set up accounts, explain the basics of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, Mentions, Google Hangouts, YouTube other social media platforms. This is truly for folks who know just a little about how all this works.

Intermediate to Advanced: A team of social media experts will work in small groups with people who have a pretty good grounding in social media but want to take their presence to another level. Folks in this group might have 1,000 or more followers on Twitter for example. They may have a YouTube channel or done some Google Hangouts but need more help in increasing their impact on those platforms.

• Moderator: Maureen Bunyan, WJLA-TV

• Gene Park, The Washington Post

• Ingrid Sturgis, Howard University

• Michelle Williams, The Washington Post

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

So You Think You Want to Teach? A Conversation and Q & A With Seasoned Educators - Powered by American Federation of Teachers

"Session One"

Do you have questions about transitioning into the classroom? Confused by academic jargon? Unsure of what you need to apply? CV vs resume? Academia has a set of rules and regulations that are unique. Navigating them can be bewildering for a newbie. And the rules change whether you're a part-time adjunct or full-time (tenure or non-tenure track). Here's your chance to sit down with seasoned journalism and communications educators who will share what they wish they'd known before they started teaching. |Track: Educators

• Bill Celis, Associate Professor, University of Southern California

• Brooke Barnett, Associate Provost for Inclusive Community and Professor, School of Communications, Elon University

• Mei-Ling Hopgood, Associate Professor, Medill School of Journalism, Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University

• Rafael Lorente, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Master’s Program at the University of Maryland, College Park.

• Marcella DeVeaux, Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge

A Frank Discussion About Race in Academia: How It Matters Where You Teach - Powered by American Federation of Teachers

"Session Two"

Whether you're at a large school with few students and faculty of color or at a historically African-American or Hispanic institution, you may face issues that most of your white counterparts do not. You may find yourself juggling the demands of teaching, research and committee assignments with the ""invisible labor"" of mentoring students of color who are not even in your class. Or you may land at an institution with limited resources and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Then, there are the longstanding complaints when it comes to tenure and promotion of faculty of color. In this session, we'll debrief on what it's like to teach in various ecosystems and why it matters where you land. |Track: Educators

• Bill Celis, Associate Professor, Journalism, University of Southern California

• Will Sutton, Journalism Lecturer, Grambling State University

• Lisa Armstrong, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

• Michelle Johnson, Associate Professor of Journalism, Boston University

• Mei-Ling Hopgood, Associate Professor, Northwestern University

Basics of Great Teaching: Demystifying Tools and Methods - Powered by American Federation of Teachers

"Session Three"

Got grading rubrics? Does your syllabus need an overhaul? And how do you get the most out of that terrible, buggy course management software? You’ll walk away from this session with an understanding of tools and techniques that can help you get started or turbo-charge your teaching.

Related: See the Educator track in the conference program for details on “Ignite Teaching,” to find some new ideas for teaching journalism.

• Michelle Johnson, Boston University

• Robert Hernandez, University of Southern California

• Dr. Sybril Brown, Belmont University

Turbocharge Your Teaching

Looking for ways to fire up your students? Get creative ideas for teaching journalism in a series of rapid-fire, back-to-back, five-minute lightning talks. Experienced journalism educators present their most innovative teaching methods, including how to integrate cutting-edge technologies into digital journalism courses. |Track: Educators

• Ingrid Sturgis, Associate Professor/New Media, Howard University

• Michelle Johnson, Associate Professor of the Practice, Multimedia/Online Journalism, Boston University

• Robert Hernandez, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, University of Southern California

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Leadership: The Inside Job With The Inside Man Roland Martin

Finding effect leadership within a chapter is the key to survival for any organization. Often our most involved members often move between markets leaving huge gaps in leadership. Before Roland Martin became a national name hosting and contributing for TV One, CNN, and The Tom Joyner Morning Show he was a student rep for a local chapter. Martin will help chapter leaders identify untapped resources within the ranks and recruit leaders to sustain growth.

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Restoring Trust and Transforming Relationships between Law Enforcement and Communities of Color - Powered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

With the recent tragedies in Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights and Dallas, the often fragile relationship between law enforcement and communities of color is being tested in locations across the nation. There have been calls from government, community, and police leaders, including President Obama, for a healing of the broken trust and breach in respect between law enforcement and the people they are supposed to protect. With support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, healing efforts are underway in several communities, such as Salinas, California, and Chicago. Join a conversation with experts who will discuss the keys to facilitating healing in communities, and show the results of their work.

• Moderator: Maria Hinajosa, Futuro Media Group
• Kimberly Burke, Center for Policing Equity
• Hector Sanchez Flores, National Compadres Network
• Monica Haslip, Little Black Pearl

The Power of Mapping: Health Disparities in Your Communities - Powered by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Health disparities are closely linked with social, economic, and environmental disadvantage and are often driven by community social conditions. Racial and ethnic minority communities are disproportionately burdened by higher rates of childhood obesity, chronic diseases and higher mortality rates, with some geographic areas experiencing greater disparities than others. Understanding the wellbeing of a community is paramount to understanding geographic differences and visualizing disparities.

Public Relations in Beast Mode: Understanding Strategic Planning and Crisis Communications​

Separate yourself from the public relations novice and become the true expert you aspire to be. Understanding Strategic Planning and Crisis Communications can help you do just that. This workshop will teach you how to build comprehensive strategic and crisis communications plans. You will leave this session with the framework of a strategic plan you can use. You will also learn the importance of having a crisis communications plan even though you may never have the opportunity to put one in action. This workshop will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to ensure the plans you create are anchored in measurable objectives, strategies and tactics. |Track: Public Relations

• Moderator: Kafi Rouse, Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

• Sarah Kogod, Director, SB Nation

• Daniel Morales, Founder, Tapiz Media Group

Designers: Traditional to Digital

Part 1. The Modern Designer (45 min.) What do designers in the media landscape look like today? What do they do? How did they get to where they are? This session will begin by exploring the career paths and stories of modern day designers: journalists who work in motion graphics, user experience design, data visualization, and much more. We’ll hear from each of them about what got them into design and how they use it every day in their work.

Part 2. The Non-Designer (45 min.) You’ve just heard the stories of modern designers in journalism. But what if you’re not a designer? Where do you start when your boss asks you to add a chart to a story or create a more visually appealing layout? In the second half of this session, we’ll give you the practical tips and advice to do so. Anyone can improve the design and usability of a journalistic project (from a basic story page to an interactive graphic) with a few very simple fixes. Even if you have zero experience in design, a few simple principles can help you tell visual stories with clarity. We'll talk through some design rules of thumb, and how each of the panelists’ have applied them to real live news examples. By the end of this workshop, you'll be able to recognize poor designs and identify how to fix them, and you’ll be on your way to creating your own designs with better organization, unity, and clarity. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Lena Groeger, News Apps Developer, ProPublica

• Regine Gilbert, User Experience Designer

• Michael Grant, Senior Digital Designer, Minneapolis Star Tribune

• Sheldon Sneed, Designer and Illustrator, Asbury Park Press Design Studio

• Debbie Sudduth, Multimedia Graphic Artist, ABC Disney

Do The Side Hustle: Use the Skills You Have to Keep the Money Coming - Powered by FedEx

“The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately.” Keeping up with the pace of change is a challenge especially when your paycheck is tight and layoffs continue to be a threat. But there is hope. Levo League called the side hustle the biggest career trend of 2015. Journalists have plenty of skills that make ideal side hustles, but you can't just create it out of thin air. You need to set yourself up for success. Panelists will discuss how they started their side hustles and what you need to do to keep them going as you navigate employment in the 21st century. |Track: Entrepreneurship - Powered by FedEx , Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Dr. Syb Brown, Professor, Belmont University

• Nicki Mayo, Multimedia Journalist, Nicki Mayo News, LLC

• Raymond Ruiz, President, The Venture

• Tenisha Taylor Bell, President, Perfect Pitch Media Group, LLC

• Benet J. Wilson, Owner/Editor, Aviation Queen LLC

Straight Out of the Gate: Nailing the Early Stages of Your Journalism Career

This workshop is your traditional “How to land a job after college” discussion, but much more focused on you. Whether you’re a junior in college or stumbling through that first full-time position, our panelists will explain step-by-step what you should be doing to score a job or position yourself for a new position elsewhere. We break down the discussion into strategies for aspiring print, television, radio, web or photo/video journalists. We’ll devote plenty of time to answering questions about your career, so come prepared. We’ll also leave extra time after the discussion for the audience to have one-on-one conversations with the panelists. |Track: Educators

• Moderator: Khristopher J. Brooks, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Reporter, Democrat and Chronicle

• Adrian Florido, Reporter, NPR's Code Switch Team

• H. Denise Sawyer, Executive Producer/Multimedia Journalist, WRDE-TV

• John Ketchum, Associate Producer for Social Media, CNN

• Monica Herndon, Staff Photographer, Tampa Bay Times

• Polo Sandoval, Correspondent, CNN

Covering Law Enforcement: and People of Color: What You Need to Know
From the August 2014 shooting death of black teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., during an altercation with a white police officer, to the recent release of a Chicago police video showing the fatal shooting of another black teen, Laquan McDonald, tensions between the police and men of color are drawing more attention. This session serves as a primer on how to cover the police from the perspectives of beat reporters, law enforcement experts and people of color.

• Moderator: Simone Weichselbaum, Staff Writer, The Marshall Project

• Robert Moore, U.S. Marshal Service (ret.), Former Police Chief, Jackson, Miss., Author, "The President's Men: Black Marshal in America."

• Wesley Lowery, National Reporter, The Washington Post

Good Sounds: Audio 101​

Even as digital technology continues to change the way electronic journalism is produced, there’s still one constant – bad audio can ruin an otherwise great story. Whether working on story for radio, television or digital multimedia, how do you gather good sound? What equipment do you need? And for freelancers, what type of equipment do you need to get quality audio, especially when you’re on a budget?

• Moderator: Jonathan Blakley, Program Director, Minnesota Public Radio

• Rolando Arrieta, Manager, News Operations, National Public Radio

• Zachary Coleman, Broadcast Recording Tech, National Public Radio

One Mission Driving Innovation : Driving Innovation Both On & Off the Racetrack - Powered by NASCAR

In the modern 24-7, hyper social media, televised world, sports journalists have the dual responsibility of informing and entertaining the audience or target population with their reporting. With younger audiences abandoning customary media platforms for less traditional digital channels, sports journalists have the added challenge of keeping viewers engaged while keeping up with the latest technological trends. NASCAR is a sport based in high-technology and engineering, demanding a new approach to content creation. With unprecedented technology, NASCAR is at the forefront of how sports content is produced, delivered and received. The panel will focus on how NASCAR and its media partners maximize technology and multicultural programming to reach a younger, more diverse audience.

• Moderator: Jay Harris, Anchor, ESPN

• Alba, Colon, Program Manager, Chevrolet

• Ruben Garcia, 2015-2016 NASCAR Mexico Series Champion, Current NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver with Rev Racing

• Mike Sales, Director, NASCAR Digital Media

Leadership Lessons for Breaking into News Management...The Courage to Innovate - Powered by TEGNA, Inc.

Do you want to be a manager and leader of innovation ? TEGNA leaders share their vision on what it takes to be a powerful and courageous leader as we transform journalism in the digital age. A great session for newsroom managers who want to be on the cutting age and for journalists who want to move into management.

• Kristie Gonzales, General Manager, KVUE (Austin)

• Carlton Houston Assistant News Director, WUSA (DC)

• Jack Acosta News Director, KENS (San Antonio)

• Vickie Bradley Assistant News Director, WFMY (Greensboro)

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Rising to the Top: Getting Your Internship Application Noticed

Technology. Social Media. Networking. They can help you to get your resume and reel noticed, but when everyone is using the same tools, what works best? It now takes more creativity, vicissitude and a little ingenuity. Professionals and former interns will share their internship/job hunt stories and best practices while showing you how to sizzle to get that dream internship. |Track: Getting Started

• Moderator: Nagatha Tonkins, Intership Director, Assistant Professor, Elon University School of Communications

• Karin Caifa, Senior Producer, CNN Newsource Washington

• Seldric Blocker, Talent Acquisition Lead, NBC Universal

• Yasmine Arrington, Education Fellow, Hager Sharpe Public Relations

• Zuri Berry, Deputy Managing Editor, News and Multimedia, The Boston Herald

3:05 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NABJ Regional Caucuses

This annual staple allows regional directors to sit down with members and discuss upcoming regional events, gain information on local chapters in an intimate environment, and allows leaders to share opportunities and ideas that go beyond quarterly reports.

3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Domestic Violence In the Media: The Stories Betond the Bruise - Powered by Mary Kay

From Ray Rice to Oscar Pistorius, today’s domestic violence headlines frequently focus on the perpetrators of these horrific acts. What if the media also covered the victim’s angle, educating their audiences, and informing them of the resources available to survivors? Mary Kay is sponsoring Domestic Violence In The Media: The Stories Beyond The Bruise workshop session. The goal of this workshop session is to open a dialogue between nonprofit PR professionals and reporters on the topic of how the media can play a bigger role in covering all human sides of these stories.

• Moderator: Zayda Rivera, Reporter and Domestic Violence Survivor

• Ron Legran, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Network To End Domestic Violence

• Khalisa Jacobs, Senior Director of Communications & Development at Break The Cycle

• Edén Soto, Crime reporter at Univision Dallas

Tips and Tricks for Younger Sports Journalists: Blending in & Standing Out 

Mistakes are imminent in your first few jobs in journalism. How you recover from them defines you. This workshop will help equip the next wave of sports journalists with seasoned skills. Our well-rounded panelists will also share inevitable newsrooms obstacles that you can't prepare for.

• Moderator: Justin Walters, Sports Director/Anchor, WRNN-TV, FiOS 1 News

• Greg Lee, Editorial Director, NBA.com

• Jesse Sanchez, National Reporter, MLB.com

• Gianna Giorgi, Sports Anchor/ Reporter, KRNV, KAME, KRXI, & Bighorns Sideline Reporter

• Willard Ogan, Managing Editor, CSN Bay Area

• Nick Creegan, Multimedia Sports Journalist

Black and Brown Stories Through a Social Justice Lens: How to Cover Racial Justice Without Adding to Harmful Narratives

Over the past few years, the racial climate in the U.S. has reached a boiling point, with Black and Brown people experiencing disproportionate rates of police killings and arrests, criminalization in schools and employment, voter disenfranchisement and surging numbers of unjust deportations. This panel will feature some of the leading media and communications professionals who have successfully covered the nation’s racial and social justice issues of the day, and have learned what it takes to tell the stories of Black and Brown people through a fair and unbiased, social justice lens.

• Moderator: Jennifer Farmer, Managing Director of Communications, The Advancement Project

• Brentin Mock, Staff Writer, The Atlantic's CityLab.com

• Errin Whack, Reporter, Associated Press, Philadelphia

• Chelsea Fuller, Senior Communications Associate for Youth Criminalization, Advancement Project, Co-Chair, NABJ Young Journalists Task Force

• Trymaine Lee, National Reporter, MSNBC.com

Digital Media Boot Camp: Using Your Mobile Device to Create Compelling News Stories and Content

Today’s modern newsroom requires more than a text-based tweet or photo to capture audiences across a multi-platform universe. This session will equip participants with how-to’s needed to create and deliver rich multimedia content that stands out by using your existing mobile devices. In session part one, participants will hear directly from an industry leader on mobile skills, why they're in demand and how they can help your resume and reel really stand out. Part two will consist of a hands-on demonstration of apps and affordable add-ons you can use to produce and deliver high quality content, some of which will be raffled off to workshop participants at the end of the session. It's an high impact presentation you wont want to miss! |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Hugo Balta, Senior Director, Multicultural Content, ESPN

• Manuel McDonnell Smith, News Assignment Editor/Planner, NBC 10/Telemundo 62 Philadelphia

• Denise James, Multimedia Producer, Denise James Communications

• Allison Davis, Principal, Coopty Productions

Is Virtual Reality the Next Big Thing? What You Need to Know​

Learn about virtual reality, the reality and the hype, and what impact it will likely have on news reporting and storytelling.

• Moderator: Retha Hill, Professor of Practice, Cronkite School of Journalism

• Clifton Dawson, Founder, Greenlight VR

• Carolina Marquez, Founder, Terranial VR

3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Finding Funding: Support For Your Independent Investigative Projects - Powered by FedEx

The workshop will inform reporters and editors on how they can fund investigative reporting projects through grants and fellowships. With newsrooms cutting back on staffing and financial resources, nonprofit organizations have stepped up to fill the need for enterprise reporting. This panel is both for freelancers and for staff reporters who want to learn how to seek out funding that provides extra time and money to do long-form reporting and to check out those tips they haven’t had the opportunity to pursue. The panel is made up of journalists and editors who have tapped into those funding sources, and well-established organizations that make the grants and fellowships available. |Track: Entrepreneurship

• Moderator: Ricardo Sandoval Palos, President, Fund for Investigative Journalism, Editor, NPR

• Lisa Button, Managing Editor, Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism

• Phillip Martin, WGBH-Boston Senior investigative reporter; Senior fellow, Schuster Institute

9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Reporting on Race im America: Lessons from Local Newsrooms​ - Powered By National Association of Broadcasters

Local television and radio newsrooms frequently find themselves at the epicenter of news stories where race is a principal factor-ranging from coverage of racially-motivated crimes to coverage of demonstrations and civil unrest. How do local newsrooms prepare themselves to effectively cover these events? Can stations' relationships with various segments of their local communities enable them to report more effectively than other news outlets? What best practices do stations employ to ensure diversity in their coverage of stories where race is not necessarily a factor? Join us for a discussion of what local stations are doing well and what steps they can take to improve.

10:30 a.m.- Noon

Expanding Educational Opportunities and Empowering Children and Families - Powered by the Walton Family Foundation
The pervasive racial achievement gap in our nation is a symptom of the inequities in our education system, and the reality is far too few children of color attend schools that help them maximize their potential. This plenary will examine how we can provide more equitable educational opportunities for students of color by increasing the number of great schools of all types (district, charter and private) and helping parents select the best school for their child. Come learn from activists and educators about how the work of journalists can help realize this vision.

Moderator: Roland Martin, The Roland Martin Show and NewsOne Now, TV One

Speakers:

• Howard Fuller, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Education, Marquette University
• Derrell Bradford, Executive Vice President, 50Can
• Mary Moran, Co-founder, Nuestra Voz
• Erica L. Green, Education Reporter, The Baltimore Sun
• Mary Cathryn Ricker, Executive Vice President, American Federation of Teachers

Race, Rage, Disparities, Death - Health Equity Stories and Solutions - Powered by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

From global health to community development, from zip codes to the skin you’re in, health equity has wide and cross-cutting consequences for Black and Brown communities. Our environment is making us sick and sending us to early graves. Whether it’s a contaminated water supply, preventable diseases or the stress of racism, health equity approaches problems with solutions. The issues are embedded in stories large and small; from major news headlines tracking a virus of violence, spread by the toxic mix of guns, race and rage to the seemingly uneventful daily circumstances that are shaped by the spaces where we live, learn, work and play. Our panelists will translate evidence-based research into stories that animate the possibilities through compelling actions and tangible outcomes. Join our communications experts, scholars and health policy specialists to explore the state of health equity by translating facts and findings into storytelling.

• Moderator: Linda Wright Moore, Senior Communications Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Gene Demby, Lead Blogger, Code Switch
• Ana Diez Roux, MD, PhD, MPH, Distinguished University Professor of Epidemiology and Dean, Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University
• Thomas A. LaVeist, PhD, Chairman, Department of Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health
• Keshia M. Pollack, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Dwayne Proctor, PhD, Senior Adviser to the President, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

12:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Professional Development Luncheons
Eli Lilly & Company: Making Sure Medicine Works for Us

The effectiveness of a given medicine can vary depending on a patient’s ethnicity, lifestyle, culture, and genetic makeup. Unfortunately, most of the clinical trials conducted in this country lack diversity and minority populations are consistently underrepresented. That’s changing though, thanks to collaborations between the private and public sectors. Learn more at a lunch featuring experts from the National Minority Quality Forum, National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University, the Hispanic Council on Aging and Eli Lilly and Company.

• Moderator: Jeff Pegues, Correspondent, CBS News

• Yanira Cruz, Dr.PH., President and Chief Executive Officer, National Hispanic Council on Aging
• Coleman Obasaju, M.D., Ph.D., Global Leader, Diversity in Clinical Research, Eli Lilly and Company
• Gary A. Puckrein, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Minority Quality Forum
• Joan R. Harrell,  DMIN, M.Div., M.S., Associate Director, National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University

Shaping Coverage of Children and Immigration - Powered by The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Panelists will examine data and discuss how reporters should cover immigration, with a special focus on children. The discussion will include children immigrating from countries across the globe, including Latin America, Africa and Asia. Of course, the conversation will revisit coverage of undocumented minors that made headlines two years ago and largely has faded from the front pages. Immigration policies continue to make living in the United States tenuous for kids. The panel will talk about what narratives have developed around children in immigrant families and what should journalists do to highlight the challenges as well as solutions that would ensure their safety and stability.

• Moderator: Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media Group and host of “Latino USA” and “America By the Numbers
• Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter, WGBH Boston Public Radio
• Maria Pena,  Washington correspondent, La Opinion
• Laura Speer, Associate Director for Policy Reform and Advocacy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Fireside Chat with David Plouffe: Serving the Underserved - Powered by Uber

David Plouffe led two winning presidential campaigns for President Barack Obama. Now he's racing ahead with a new mission. As Uber's Chief Advisor and Board member, Plouffe is putting the pedal to the medal for the company that's changing how we move around the world. Widely admired for his 50-state ground game that led to the Obama campaign's success, Plouffe is now busy expanding Uber's reach and influence in communities globally. Perhaps nowhere has ridesharing's impact been felt more than in the nation's underserved neighborhoods, where work and transportation options have historically been scarce. Uber’s Chief Advisor sits down for a one on one with Callie Crossley, WGBH Boston TV and Radio Host and former NABJ Broadcast Vice President, in a high-octane conversation about policy, presidential and community-building strategies.

Speaker: David Plouffe, Uber Chief Advisor and Board Member

Moderator: Callie Crossley, WGBH Boston TV and Radio Host

2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Intersection of Misogyny and Racism: Health Care for Immigrant Women on the Ballot in November – Powered by Planned Parenthood

This election, access to healthcare is on the ballot. With a Presidential nomination who is lethal combination of misogynist, racist, and anti-immigrant, immigrant women in particular are already experiencing real-life barriers to care. Tight immigration enforcement coupled with attacks on sexual reproductive health care, leave immigrant women in the shadows -- unable to access care, unable to try to without crossing border checkpoints, and facing daily fears of deportation escalating by the current deportation raids against Central American refugees. With the Supreme Court ruling on DAPA/DACA and HB2 this year, immigrant women are not only at risk of further being marginalized in terms of accessing to health care but are at risk of having their families torn apart -- all things that are essential for leading a healthy and complete life.

Ask the Executives: How Sports Media is Changing

Media is being consumed across an increasing number of platforms – ranging from television, radio, broadband, tablets, mobile and set-top boxes. This next generation of media is HERE and those that can keep up are delivering compelling content across all these platforms. With the ever-changing media landscape, how do the foremost sports media outlets create content to reach the range of audiences watching on the various platforms? On the talent side, are they incorporating diverse talent to make a compelling viewing experience? During this panel, a collection of senior executives from the premier sports media outlets will discuss the rapidly changing landscape and how their networks are adapting.

• Moderator: Marissa Evans, Health Policy Reporter, CQ Roll Call

• Keith Clinkscales, CEO, Revolt TV; Founder, The ShadowLeague

• Rob King, Senior Vice President, Editorial, Print and Digital Media, ESPN

• Dave Morgan, President, USA Today Sports Media Group

• Kevin Lockland, Vice President, SB Nation

Crossing Jordan: From Journalism to Public Relations - Powered by Eli Lilly and Company

In this panel expert journalists will discuss how to create or match your journalism success to public relations/public affairs employment. Social responsibility will be discussed in detail as these Influencers share their skill sets used to transition to the PR sector. The panel will also discuss the transition guides, the initial steps, and the methodological process it takes to transition. The presenters will also showcase best practices for the use of journalism careers in the public relations and media related sector. In today's competitive public relations environment, which path has the quickest advancement corporate public relations or agency public relations? On this panel, talk to transitioned journalists and /or leading public relations practitioners on both the corporate and the agency side to learn the ins and outs of both paths. Careers in PR, Public Affairs, Non profit PR will be showcased.

• Moderator: Terry Allen, CEO, 1016 Media

• Tarra Ryker, Vice President Global Communications, Eli Lilly and Company

• Tanzi West Barbour

• Saptosa Foster, Managing Partner, 135th Street Agency

• Neil Foote, President/CEO, Foote Communications

• Zakiya Larry, Media Relations Director, The Potter's House/T.D.Jakes Ministries

• Rebecca Aguilar, Vice President, NAHJ and SPJ Fort Worth

Through Our Eyes: Views of Black Teachers

As the number of students of color in our nation’s classrooms continues to grow, the number of teachers of color in those classrooms remains dismally low. In this panel, black teachers will share their experiences and perceptions on a range of issues — from practice to education reform — and the educational themes most critical to them. Ed Trust will share findings from our conversations with black teachers across seven states and gain a deeper understanding of the unique strengths of these teachers; the roles they assume and challenges they face; and the implications for schools and districts looking not only to recruit but to keep talented black teachers.

• Moderator: Erica Green, Reporter, Baltimore Sun

• Ashley Griffin, Ph.D., The Education Trust

• Carol Battle, Educator, Oak Valley Middle School (California)

• Joshua Parker, 2012 Maryland State Teacher of the Year, Baltimore County Public Schools

Getting Your Financial House in Order - Powered by FedEx

While newsroom salaries aren't rising as fast as the increased cost of living across the U.S., professionals are at a critical moment in their careers and financial future. What you do now sets the tone for salary earning potential, savings for emergency funds, saving for retirement and more. But what to do about your 401K at work? When should you be asking for a raise? How much should you be putting away in your savings? How can you maximize your paycheck to still have savings and pay down your debts? What tools are out there to help you budget smarter? What are financial downfalls of young professionals and how can they be avoided? This workshop run by financial gurus will help you understand how to get your financial house in order no matter what your take home pay is. |Track: Entrepreneurship - Powered by FedEx

• Marissa Evans, Health Policy Reporter, CQ Roll Call

• Michelle Singletary, Personal Finance Columnist, The Washington Post

• Natalie McNeal, Journalist and Author, The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up the Fabulous Lif

Steering Your Career From Intern to Professional

Student journalists! You’re killing it in the classroom! But are you ready to break into the journalism industry and thrive? Join four outstanding young journalists who let you walk away with killer tips on how to land successful internships |Track: Educators

• Moderator: Khorri Atkinson, Master's Candidate, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

• Justin Madden, NABJ/Reuters Fellow, Reuters - Chicago

• Tanzina Vega, Digital Correspondent, CNN - New York

• Victoria Walker, Digital Editor, The Washington Post

• Brian De Los Santos, Digital Editor, Los Angeles Times

The Freddie Gray Story: What the News Media Missed

Journalists who have all been involved in reporting and/or directing coverage of the Freddie Gray story, from the death of this 25-year-old black man while in police custody through the prosecution of police officers involved with his arrest, will examine this episode in America's epic saga of race. Viewing it as a call for more proactive reporting, they will offer strategies for convincing gatekeepers that there are stories that must be told even when there is no apparent crisis; explore best practices in reporting and research; and share multimedia storytelling techniques. |Track: Covering the Story

• Moderator: E.R. Shipp, Associate Professor, School of Global Journalism & Communication, Morgan State University

• Roberto Alejandro, Founder, Onbckgrnd.com

• Justin George, Reporter, Baltimore Sun

• Karen Houppert, Editor, Baltimore City Paper

• Charles Robinson, Reporter & Producer, Maryland Public Television

• Carla Wills, Senior News Producer, Democracy Now!

• John Blake, Senior Writer, CNN Digital

Breaking Into Foreign Freelancing​

Tired of domestic news and want to see the world? The idea of being a “foreign correspondent” can be seductive, but news organizations often turn to freelancers based abroad rather than hire or send their own staff. Foreign freelancing can be a great way to get experience but also has many—very serious—risks. This panel includes journalists who have freelanced abroad and those who have worked with freelancers in hostile environments. You’ll learn how to get started, stay safe, and get paid on time.

• Moderator: Kimberly Adams, Reporter, Marketplace/American Public Media

• Hannah Allam, Foreign Affairs Reporter, McClatchy

• Alexis Okeowo, Staff Writer, The New Yorker, Grantee, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

• Noel King, Correspondent, Planet Money, NPR

• Annie Valentine, Senior Program Officer, International Women's Media FOundation

Where is the Shonda Rhimes of the News Media? How to Get Way More Women of Color in Newsroom Leadership Positions

The well-known show runner has had an unmistakable impact on television entertainment, with dramas that feature diverse cast members and story lines that delve into diverse issues. It’s just the kind of sensibility that would make the news media more reflective of an increasingly diverse and complex world. We explore important to have women of color calling the shots in newsrooms and discuss strategies for increasing their numbers. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Tracie Powell, founder, AllDigitocracy.org

• Donna Byrd, Publisher, TheRoot.com

• S. Mitra Kalita, Vice President for Programming, CNN Digital

• Lauren Williams, Managing Editor, Vox.com

News Executive Round Table: A View from the Top & Inside U.S. Newsrooms​

This executive panel will discuss the changing landscape in the media industry today. Panelists will explore topics such as:
Where the industry is heading over the next 3-5 years?
What are the greatest opportunities in the industry?
What keeps them up at night as media executives?
What is important for the future workforce?
Discuss the role that diversity and inclusion plays in making their organizations successful today and in the future.

• Moderator: Maureen Bunyan, anchor, WJLA-TV, NABJ Founder

• Sarah Nordgren, Director, U.S. News Operations, Executive Director, Associated Press Media Editors

• Camille Edwards, Vice President and News Director, WABC-TV, New York

Investigative Journalism: How to cover the Presidential Election without traveling on the campaign bus Periodismo de Investigación: Cómo cubrir la Elección Presidencial sin viajar con los candidatos

Las campañas electorales son el mejor momento para reportar sobre los temas que te interesan: educación, salud, economía, inmigración. Te compartiremos experiencias, herramientas y tips para encontrar datos, dar contexto y hacer "fact checking" a los temas que están marcando la agenda en esta elección. Translation: You are a journalist and you're familiar with a beat, right? Whether you cover education, immigration, economy, or health, the electoral campaign season can be the best time for you to address issues that matter. Our panelists will share their experience and tips to find information, fact check and give context around the topics that the presidential candidates are talking about.

• Moderator: Eileen Truax, Journalist, NAHJ Spanish At-Large Officer

• Mago Torres, investigative and data journalist. Global Investigative Journalism Network

• Valeria Fernandez, Independent Journalist. Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Investigative Journalism: How to cover the Presidential Election without traveling on the campaign bus

Periodismo de Investigación: Cómo cubrir la Elección Presidencial sin viajar con los candidatos

You are a journalist and you're familiar with a beat, right? Whether you cover education, immigration, economy, or health, the electoral campaign season can be the best time for you to address issues that matter. Our panelists will share their experience and tips to find information, fact check and give context around the topics that the presidential candidates are talking about.
Descripción: Las campañas electorales son el mejor momento para reportar sobre los temas que te interesan: educación, salud, economía, inmigración. Te compartiremos experiencias, herramientas y tips para encontrar datos, dar contexto y hacer "fact checking" a los temas que están marcando la agenda en esta elección.

• Moderator: Eileen Truax, Journalist, NAHJ Spanish At-Large Officer

• Valeria Fernandez, Independent Journalist. Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

• S. Mitra Kalita, Vice President for Programming, CNN Digital

• Lauren Williams, Managing Editor, Vox.com

Social Video and the Future of News: How to Produce Standout Video

With billions of hours of video consumed daily by audiences across multiple social networks, social video has become a primary way to stay on top of the news. From no sound to viral video, effective social video strategy varies across platforms. Our esteemed panelists will provide tips on creating engaging social video and employing video analytics to boost performance. Participants will learn strategies on building video for Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, and gain an understanding of the best components that make a successful video, drive traffic and elevate your news brand.

• Moderator: Sarah Glover, Social Media Editor, NBC Owned Television Stations, President, National Association of Black Journalists

• Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty, Broadcasting and Online, The Poynter Institute

• Hadley Robinson, Producer, AJ+

Follow the Money: Why You Should Consider the Business Beat​

Innovation is often described as a road map to the future. Given the democratization of news and ever intertwined global economy, there there will be a need for business journalists. Reporters and editors covering various sectors of the corporate world tend to resemble their sources -- white men. Journalists of color have, however, found success carving out niches and speciality coverage areas. Take the opportunity to learn from business journalists of color about how they began and continued building careers following the money.

• Moderator: Robert Barba, Technology Editor, American Banker

• Kimberly S. Johnson, Editor, CFO Journal, The Wall Street Journal

• Octavio Blanco, Writer/Editor, CNNMoney

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Managing Racial Discrimination in the Newsroom

It may be 2016, but discrimination continues to occur in newsrooms across this country. Recent lawsuits against the AP, CNN and other media outlets prove that employees feel they are wrongly targeted. Often times, we are the only person of color in the newsroom. We, inadvertently, become victims of modern day racism. How do you discern if you've been discriminated against in terms of pay, promotion, work schedule, your look, hair, etc... Join us in recognizing signs of discrimination and learn tips to professionally address racism in the newsroom. Lawyers will provide FREE private consulting AFTER the panel. Register at: RSVP@PerfectPitchMediaGroup.com to speak privately with a lawyer.

• Moderator: Tenisha Bell, President, Perfect Pitch Media Group

• Dr. Libby Lewis, Adjunct Professor, Cal State LA, Former Anchor/Reporter, CBS & NBC

• DeWayne Walker, Strategic Marketing Specialist, CNN

• Rebecca Carroll, Producer, Special Projects Focusing on Race, WNYC

• David Lopez, General Counsel, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Finding Funding: Support for Your Independent Investigative Projects - Powered by FedEx

The workshop will inform reporters and editors on how they can fund investigative reporting projects through grants and fellowships. With newsrooms cutting back on staffing and financial resources, nonprofit organizations have stepped up to fill the need for enterprise reporting. This panel is both for freelancers and for staff reporters who want to learn how to seek out funding that provides extra time and money to do long-form reporting and to check out those tips they haven’t had the opportunity to pursue. The panel is made up of journalists and editors who have tapped into those funding sources, and well-established organizations that make the grants an |Track: Entrepreneurship - Powered by FedEx

• Moderator: Ricardo Sandoval Palos, President, Fund for Investigative Journalism;

• Lisa Button, Managing Editor, Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism

• Phillip Martin, WGBH-Boston Senior Investigative Reporter, Senior fellow, Schuster Institute

• Susan Smith Richardson, Editor & Publisher, The Chicago Reporter

A Whole Different Story: Writing for Radio

Do you want to expand your print reporting career? Have you ever thought about radio? More and more print reporters are making the leap to the new platform. Nikole Hannah-Jones’ award winning reporting for This American Life is one example of a print journalist working radio.

• Moderator:Jeanette Woods, Reporter, Producer, WHYY/NewsWorks, Producer, The Remix

• Elisabeth Perez Luna, Executive Producer, Audio Content, WHYY

• Katie Davis, Independent Journalist, Lead Producer, Finding America: Anacostia Unmapped

How to Build Training and Career Development Into Your Newsroom Culture

The job of a journalist gets more complicated every day. There are new skills to learn and old ones to refine. In this session, we'll offer tips to make training and career development a part of your newsroom’s culture. |Track: Educators

• Eric Athas, Manager, NPR Editorial Training

• Doug Mitchell, Consultant/Project Leader, Founder, "Next Generation Radio"

• Geraldine Moriba, Vice President, Diversity and INclusion, CNN

Passion for Fashion

The public always talks about how they want to get into entertainment and fashion writing. But there's more to it than sample closets and fashion shows. In this workshop, we’ve recruited some of the top names in fashion journalism to offer a reality check on getting into the business. Panelists will talk about what it means to cover fashion and what it takes to get into the industry.

• Moderator: John-John Williams IV, Fashion and Pop Culture Reporter, The Baltimore Sun

• Elizabeth Wellington, Fashion Columnist, The Philadelphia Inquirer

• Arienne Thompson, Director of Public Relations, MoKi Media, Formerly of USA Today

La mujer latina en los Medios en Español: Profesional o Símbolo Sexual? (Presented in Spanish)

Muchas preguntas se presentan cuando hablamos de la mujer en los medios en español; preguntas sobre su maquillaje exagerado y su ropa entallada. Muchos hombres sintonizan los noticieros en español, pero ¿es necesario que la mujer sea tan sensual para tener mejores ratings? Este panel discutirá la imagen que presentamos como latinos y lo que esto transmite a nuestra audiencia. Translation: Questions come up when we talk about women in Spanish-language media; questions about their strong makeup and tight clothes. Plenty of men watch the news in Spanish, but is that sexiness necessary to get good ratings? This session will discuss the images that are being presented and what that conveys to our audiences. |Track: Spanish Language

• Moderator: Rafael Mejía, NAHJ Regional Director/Freelance Entertainment Journalist

• Migdalia Figueroa, News Director, NBC 6

• Dunia Elvir, News Anchor, Telemundo LA

• Lorraine Cáceres, Reporter, Telemundo Dallas

Public Relations Beyond the Red Carpet

Based on the depictions of public relations in pop culture, PR professionals are solely Hollywood publicists. However, entertainment is not the only avenue to follow to have a successful and gratifying career in PR. Every industry needs to communicate its message effectively, be it a member of Congress, an association that represents thousands of members, or an advocacy organization vying for attention to promote its cause. The panelists will present information on the range of PR opportunities in government, non-profits, associations and presidential administrations, how to land these positions as well as freelancing in this realm

• Moderator: Yolanda McCutchen, PR Manager, District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency
• Zerline Hughes, Co-Principal, Communications Consultant, Media-Mingle
• Aprill Turner, Director of Communications and Media Relations, NABJ/Campaign for Youth Justice
• Cleve Mesidor, Global Solutions Consultant, The Raben Group

La mujer latina en los Medios en Español: Profesional o Símbolo Sexual? (Presented in Spanish)

Muchas preguntas se presentan cuando hablamos de la mujer en los medios en español; preguntas sobre su maquillaje exagerado y su ropa entallada. Muchos hombres sintonizan los noticieros en español, pero ¿es necesario que la mujer sea tan sensual para tener mejores ratings? Este panel discutirá la imagen que presentamos como latinos y lo que esto transmite a nuestra audiencia. Translation: Questions come up when we talk about women in Spanish-language media; questions about their strong makeup and tight clothes. Plenty of men watch the news in Spanish, but is that sexiness necessary to get good ratings? This session will discuss the images that are being presented and what that conveys to our audiences. |Track: Spanish Language

• Moderator: Rafael Mejía, NAHJ Regional Director/Freelance Entertainment Journalist
• Migdalia Figueroa, News Director, NBC 6
• Dunia Elvir, News Anchor, Telemundo LA
• Lorraine Cáceres, Reporter, Telemundo Dallas

Using Data to Enhance Your Reporting - Powered by Pew Charitable Trusts

Data journalism is exploding in popularity, with outlets like The New York Times’ “The Upshot,” The Washington Post’s “Wonkblog,” and FiveThirtyEight quickly growing their audience bases. How can you take advantage of this trend and strengthen your own use of data? In this session, experts from The Pew Charitable Trusts and Pew Research Center will discuss how to best use data to enhance your reporting. The panel will explore tactics for identifying your hook in a data set, avoiding common pitfalls of data use, and finding reliable data sources. Data can be used for far more than just illustrations, and this session will teach you techniques that aren’t just for researchers anymore.

• Moderator: Teresa Wiltz Stateline, The Pew Charitable Trusts

• D’Vera Cohn, Pew Research Center

• Robin Olsen , Public Safety Performance, The Pew Charitable Trusts

• Barb Rosewicz, State Fiscal Health, The Pew Charitable Trusts

• Alan van der Hils, Research, The Pew Charitable Trusts

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Professional Development Breakfast - Powered by Pfizer

The ‘V’ Word: Breaking Down Barriers to Preventive Health and Adult Vaccination in Our Diverse Communities

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are often the focus in discussions of health issues that most impact communities of color. But there are cultural and economic barriers that lead to other health issues that disproportionately affect these communities that often go unaddressed. Please join a distinguished group of health thought leaders, including former Obama Administration U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, and Pfizer Chief Medical Officer Freda Lewis-Hall, MD – named one of Black Enterprise’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Corporate America” -- as we discuss the issues surrounding preventive health disparities in communities of color. This interactive conversation, brought to you by Pfizer, aims to explore the cultural and economic barriers that may prevent the African American and Latino communities from utilizing preventive health services, and to thoughtfully discuss real world solutions to help address this problem.

• Regina Benjamin, MD, Former Obama Administration U.S. Surgeon General

• Jorge Rodriguez, MD, board-certified internist, best-selling author, and regular contributor to The Doctors, The View, and Today

• Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, DFAPA, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, Pfizer and regular contributor to Dr. Phil and The Doctors

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.

Authors Showcase

Tell Me a Story: Compelling narrative nonfiction writing and the authors who create them

Whether the topics are church murders in Charleston or a broken justice system in Chicago or relatable biographies of remarkable people from the eras of vinyl records and radio, authors abide by related processes in order to achieve critical and commercial success. They’re here to show and tell their stories.

• Moderator: Wayne Dawkins, Author of "NABJ Story"'

• Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve, Author of "Crook County

• Sonja Williams, Author of "Word Warrior: Richard Durham"

• Rashad Ollison, Author of "Soul Serenade"

• Lori Tharps, Author

• Herb Frazier, Author of "We Are Charleston"

Why Did You Write that Book? Self-Help, Advice, and the Publishing Industry​​

This panel includes journalist-authors who because of their experience and longevity had book-volume wisdom to share with readers. They will share why and how they wrote their books, and also how they marketed their products across media platforms. An essential event for aspiring and first-time authors

• Christopher Chambers, "Roger Crockett & Shanghai the She Devil"

• Nely Galan "Self-Made: Becoming Empowered"

• Michelle McCalope "That Good Job"

• Tia Williams "The Perfect Find"

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 a.m.

#InclusiveAmerica

Forgoing a New 21st Century Economic Narrative

This lab will expose attendees to high influencers, governmental, philanthropic and corporate efforts to transform the nation’s divided sectors into a renewed landscape of economic equity and Inclusive Competitiveness™. We will address current problems and introduce new relevant data, knowledge and expert resources to craft a new 21st century narrative for a globally competitive Inclusive America. Journalists will meet the leading change-makers, visionaries and experts across areas of community activism, education, entrepreneurship, tech-based workforce, investing and economic development

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Racial Healing Experience for Journalists - Powered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Much of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s (WKKF) work focuses on helping people and communities heal from the impacts of racism and inequities. Today, prominent leaders, including President Obama, are calling for racial healing after the recent series of shootings of unthreatening people of color and attacks on police officers. Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. said, “...until we come together as a nation, as a people, to heal, as a people, if we don't do that, and this madness continues, we will surely perish as a people." For several years, WKKF has created a broad national network of highly-skilled healing practitioners to facilitate powerful racial healing experiences at national conferences and in communities. The objective is to foster the necessary healing and catalyze community building efforts that will ultimately uproot the false belief in the hierarchy of human value and systemic racism that affects us all. Due to the extremely personal nature of these experiences, journalists have not traditionally been invited to cover the sessions out of respect for participants’ confidentiality. However, with racial healing a priority for the nation, WKKF believes journalists should be exposed to the healing experience process and are inviting journalists to participate in a condensed healing process designed specifically for them. Registration strongly encouraged: https://thenabj.wufoo.com/forms/q1yuxzs41tjnrui/

Attendees must agree to these ground rules:

• Attendees will be full participants in the session, not observers.
• The session cannot be audio or video recorded and participants are asked to not live-tweet or use any form of social media during the session.
• These sessions are deeply personal. Attendees can write/report on their own experiences in the session. However, they may only refer in broad terms – without any identifying information, such as names, locations or employers – about the experiences of colleagues. To use more specific information from colleagues, they must get explicit approval from that person.

• Facilitators: W.K. Kellogg Foundation Racial Healing Practitioners

Student Forum on Protecting First Amendment Rights - Powered by the Knight Foundation

Join NABJ and NAHJ Student Multimedia Projects and First Amendment experts as we discuss First Amendment rights, what they mean to students and young people, and what students can do to ensure that these rights are protected. Topics will include best practices for students regarding what to do when these rights are challenged by university administrators, local policy makers, and others, issues of trust in media across generations, including which mediums are most trusted by young people, emerging issues of First Amendment rights in the digital age, and what all this means for the future of journalism and newsmaking.

• Moderator: Michael D. Bolden, Editorial Director, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

• NABJ and NAHJ Student Multimedia Projects representatives

• Francine L. Huff, Knight Chair for Student Achievement at Florida A&M University

• Gene Policinski, Chief Operating Officer, Newseum Institute, and Senior Vice President, First Amendment Center

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Knowing When It's Time to Bounce: A Guide to Career Savvy

How do you know when it’s time to leave a job? In the media business it’s often about trading up: moving to a better market, a bigger newspaper, a hotter blog. But, what if it’s not about those things, then how do you know when it’s time to go? Obviously, no one can decide for you when it's time to leave your job, but hearing from others about how they made their decisions goes a long way in helping frame the discussion. Creative differences, dead end positions, ethical dilemmas, family life, financial concerns and just plain being happy are all factors that play into these decisions. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Julie Walker, Correspondent, Associated Press Radio, and Print Contributor

• Byron Pitts, Co-Anchor, ABC News Nightline

• Robin Givhan, Fashion Critic and Staff Writer, The Washington Post

Creating a Winning Documentary Pitch

Working with your proposal ideas, we will discuss the elements of a winning documentary proposal, and how to sell it to a foundation or a commissioning editor. You will learn how a long form story differs from a breaking news story, how to define the scope of your film, identify the characters, and write it compellingly. We will go over the basics of budgeting and how to think about an outreach strategy. You will leave with a revised draft. |Track: Covering the Story

• June Cross, Writer, Documentary Producer, Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

• Jason Samuels, Associate Professor of Journalism, New York University

Human Trafficking in Black and Brown America and Beyond

Working with various organizations, including the International Center for Journalists, The Schuster Center for Journalists at Brandeis University and the New England Center for Investigative Reporting, this panel will explore how to report on the super-exploitation of humans in the form of trafficking. I have assembled a panel which expertise includes research, advocacy and demographic analyses of this issue. The objective of the panel is to focus on finding sources within exploited populations to uncover the underground trade, which by definition is hard to ascertain. The panel will discuss building and using data bases to report on the scope and dimensions of human trafficking in brown and black communities in the U.S. and beyond. |Track: Covering the Story

• Moderator: Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter, WGBH Radio and TV

• Cindy Carcamo, Immigration Reporter, The Los Angeles Times

• Julio Ricardo Varela, Digital Media Director and Political Editor for Futuro

• Florence Graves, Executive Director, The Schuster Institute for Investigative

• E Faye Williams, National President, National Congress of Black Women

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

A Detailed Look at the Washington Post Pulitzer-Winning Probe of Police Shootings

The Washington Post spent a year investigating and chronicling all of the fatal police shootings that occurred across the nation in 2015, nearly 1,000 of them. The analysis is something that has never been done before, not by a media outlet or federal government agency including the FBI, Department of Justice or White House. The Post critically examined the circumstances of each shooting, the background of the person who was killed, if the decedent suffered from mental illness and the background of the police officer involved and if the officer had killed before. How can your media outlet do a similar investigation for your own hometown police department? What is needed? Those involved in the project will share lessons learned.

Multi-Media Journalism: The Right Way - Powered by CBS News

Are you a Multi-Media Journalist reporter/photographer, or aspire to be? MMJ’s are becoming the norm in newsrooms across the country, no matter the market size. Many are required to write, shoot, edit stories, set-up live shots, and post to the web and social media with tighter deadlines than ever. Learn beginning, intermediate and advanced skills from panelists with a wide range of newsroom experiences and market sizes.

• Moderator: Jarrad Henderson, Multimedia Producer, USA TODAY

• Yamiche Alcindor, National Reporter, The New York Times

• Richard Koci Hernandez, Assistant Professor of New Media, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

• Danese Kenon, Deputy Director of Photography for Video/Multimedia, Tampa Bay Times

• Gabe Ramirez, Senior Producer, CNN Digital

10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Getting Your Business Idea Out Of Your Head and Into a Plan - Powered by Wells Fargo

So you have this great business idea that is going to help you elevate or even reinvent your career. Do you know how to get started developing it? Do you have any idea what should be in your business plan? Who do you need in your network of advisors? What about understanding credit and getting financing? Get these questions answered, and receive other great tips on starting your business during an interactive workshop session through Wells Fargo Works for Small Business®. This session will leave you inspired with some valuable tools to help you take the next step toward small business success.

• Michael Rivera, Business Banking Manager, Wells Fargo Bank

• Stacey Ferguson, Co-Founder, Blogalicious, Creator, Justice Fergie Lifestyle Media

• Sheila Brooks, Ph.D., Founder, President and CEO SRB Communications

Coping with On-The-Job Trauma – Powered by Reuters

Ferguson. San Bernardino. Baltimore. Sandy Hook. Katrina. Violent images on user generated content. U.S.-based journalists are thrust into coverage of mass-casualty events, civil unrest, protests and natural disasters at what seems to be an ever-rising rate. As a result, they’re exposed to scenes of human trauma and misery that not long ago were largely witnessed only by foreign war correspondents, and face many of the same symptoms of post-traumatic stress. No news organization has more of its staff in conflict coverage than Reuters, and our commitment to helping those journalists who have held those assignments is resolute. Join our expert panel discussion led by veteran conflict correspondent Caroline Drees and Reuters counseling partner CiC for an engaging discussion, practical exercises, and to learn what resources are available here in the U.S. for support and treatment in the aftermath of these stories. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Caroline Drees, Global Editor, Reuters

• Kate Nowlan, CEO of CiC

• Emily Flitter, Reuters, Reporter

• Cheryl Corley, NPR Correspondent

• Ken Molestina, Anchor and reporter,CBS 11 DFW

Tell Me a Story: Compelling narrative nonfiction writing and the authors who create them

Whether the topics are church murders in Charleston or a broken justice system in Chicago or relatable biographies of remarkable people from the eras of vinyl records and radio, authors abide by related processes in order to achieve critical and commercial success. They’re here to show and tell their stories.

Why Did You Write that Book? Self-Help, Advice, and the Publishing Industry​

This panel includes journalist-authors who because of their experience and longevity had book-volume wisdom to share with readers. They will share why and how they wrote their books, and also how they marketed their products across media platforms. An essential event for aspiring and first-time authors.

• Christopher Chambers, "Roger Crockett & Shanghai the She Devil"

• Nely Galan "Self-Made: Becoming Empowered"

• Michelle McCalope "That Good Job"

• Tia Williams "The Perfect Find"

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

NAHJ Hall of Fame Luncheon​

Created in 2000, NAHJ’s Hall of Fame award honors journalists whose efforts either nationally or locally resulted in a greater number of Latinos entering the journalism profession or have helped to improve news coverage of the nation’s Latino community. The honorees will be inducted into the NAHJ Hall of Fame during the luncheon.

• Moderator: Wayne Dawkins [NABJ Story]

• Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve [Crook County]

• Sonja Williams [Word Warrior: Richard Durham]

• Rashod Ollison [Soul Serenade]

2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Reinventing Yourself When the Mainstream Journalism Market Shrinks

As the journalism industry continues to dramatically shed jobs and shift to dynamic online platforms, journalists are professionally reinventing themselves and repositioning their careers as storytellers. Learn more from journalists, who have taken their various skillsets and transitioned to careers in the public and private sectors, academia and entrepreneurship. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Naomi Patton,, Vice President, Weber Shandwick

• Milbert Brown, Assistant Professor, Howard University

• Theola DeBose, Director of Communications, National Endowment of the Humanities

• Marisol Bello, Senior Political Writer, Center for Community Change

• Ernest Sotomayor, Dean of Student Affairs, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Growing Your Broadcast Career​

Moving your broadcast career beyond the anchor desk. How you can etch out a place doing specialized reporting that could mover you along faster in your career goals, make you a more valuable employee financially and promotionally and also allow you the freedom to explore and present the stories you want to tell.

• Moderator: Mekahlo Medina, Technology & Social Media Reporter, KNBC, President, NAHJ

• Randy Mac, Consumer Reporter, KNBC

• Andres Brender Beracha, Video Journalist, Telemundo 48

An Innovative Approach to Developing Future Journalists

For nearly 20 years, the Arizona Latino Media Association has worked to develop young journalists through its annual high school journalism workshop, mentor match program, and scholarships for college and university students majoring in journalism and communications. We will share how we established our programs through volunteer support and community partnerships, and how we have built a pipeline of young and diverse story tellers who have joined the professional ranks in broadcast, print, and online journalism. We also will advise on how these efforts could be replicated in other communities.

• Moderator: Nicole Greason, Marketing and Publicity Manager, Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University

• Deborah Sedillo Dugan, Veteran Broadcast Journalist, Station Manager, PHXTV 11

• Griselda Nevarez, Freelance Journalist

Duopolios exitosos (Presented in Spanish)

A medida que las empresas de noticias anglosajonas continúan expandiendo su plataforma de productos, los medios para hispanohablantes van ganando terreno. Este es un crecimiento que requiere que los empleados amplíen su conocimiento no solo sobre el idioma español, sino sobre los medios de comunicación y la cultura latina. La pregunta del millón es si esto es suficiente. Para alcanzar el éxito al lanzar productos en español es importante analizar los beneficios e identificar a las personas clave que fungirán como líderes para guiar exitosamente a sus equipos. De esta forma la calidad del producto en español será tan competitiva y efectiva como la de otros medios similares en un mercado determinado. En este taller hablaremos sobre los requisitos necesarios para que los proyectos dedicados a los hispanos alcancen el éxito, aun cuando son dirigidos por personal anglosajón que no habla español. Nuestros panelistas también charlarán sobre como lograr el tan anhelado "cross over". Translation : As English-language media companies continue to add Spanish language products as part of their business strategies, employees need to be versed in Latino media and the culture. But is that enough? When adding a Spanish language product, companies must analyze the benefits, and strategically place the leaders and teams that will make the product as competitive as other media in those markets. Many of these "Duopolies" have disappeared in the last decade...but others have survived. We explore what makes one of these Hispanic/Latino Media projects achieve success even when managed by non-Latinos, and how to make the cross over. Learn what other media companies are doing to survive in this competitive branch of the business. Hear from former managers and from those who have successfully led stations in top ten markets.

• Damaris Bonilla, Assistant News Director for Noticiero Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia

• Andrea Cruz, reporter for Noticiero Telemundo 62

• Katie Coronado, professor of Journalism and Hispanic Media at UCF in Orlando

Exposing the Truth: Getting Access to Audio and Video Evidence in Police-Involved Shootings

A panel of journalists and attorneys give insight to lawful strategies to reveal the full story beyond witnesses of police involved shootings. In recent years here has been a lot of media attention around getting to the bottom of the unknown facts surrounding police involved shootings. Often, the journalist arrives on the scene and tries to piece together the story beyond the body. This presentation will give insight on how journalists can report the news with honesty and integrity supported by available evidence. We will talk about what types of evidence are public records, which require subpoenas, and understanding why certain types of evidence may be considered privileged.

• Moderator: Scheril Murray Powell, Esq. (Florida Licensed Attorney)

• Benjamin Crump, Partner, Parks and Crump Law Firm (Trayvon Martin and Corey Jones Attorney)

• Daryl D. Parks, Partner, Parks and Crump Law Firm (Trayvon Martin and Corey Jones Attorney

• Kweku Darfoor, Partner, Darfoor Law (Corey Jones Attorney)

• Jamie Kalven, Journalist, Activist (uncovered the dashboard evidence in the Laquan McDonald Shooting in Chicago, IL)

• Daphne Duret, Journalist , Palm Beach Post (uncovered the roadside assistance phone call which recorded the Corey Jones shooting in West Palm Beach, Fla.)

• Jeremy McLymont, Student, Florida International University College of Law, Washington, DC Public Defenders Intern.

• Monica Douglas, Washington, D.C. Public Defenders Office

Benefits to Pursuing a Graduate Degree in Journalism​

Journalists have questions about the value of a graduate degree. Will it lead to better pay? Will it help advance my career? This session will explore whether and how more education helps grow careers.

Inspired Mobility: Featuring Rev Run

Picking up your mobile device to connect to inspirational content has become more popular than ever. Recent studies have shown that an increasing number of people are connecting with their faith and inspiration using mobile tech. AT&T calls this trend #INSPIREDMOBILITY, a national conversation on the convergence of faith and technology. Hip-Hop pioneer Rev Run literally wrote the book on digital inspiration. Join AT&T and Rev Run for an intimate chat with Black Enterprise’s Alfred Edmond, Jr. about how he shares his “Words of Wisdom” from his unconventional pulpit with a congregation of more than 5 million social media followers. Rev Run’s story will also preview a first look at brand new research from AT&T exclusively for NABJ convention attendees. A brief meet & greet with Rev Run will follow this session. Seating is limited.

• Rev Run, Hip-Hop Pioneer and TV Star

• Moderator: Alfred Edmond, Jr., Sr.VP/Chief Content Officer, Black Enterprises

Environmental Justice 101 - Powered by EarthJustice

The problem of lead in drinking water and the disproportionate impact on communities of color captured the nation’s attention in Flint, Mich., last winter. The lead problem, like many other environmental problems, have serious health implications for black and brown communities. From landfills to waste transfer stations and hazardous waste incinerators to power plants, leaders on the environment and environmental justice will discuss why these injustices happen, why black and brown communities are often disparately impacted and what we can all do to fight for a greener, cleaner future.

• Moderator: Darryl D. Fears, Reporter, The Washington Post

• Dr. Robert Bullard, Dean of the School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University

• Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive director of Dillard University's Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

• Lisa Garcia, Vice President of Healthy Communities at Earthjustice

• Martha Dina Arguello, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility

Through Our Eyes: Views of Black Teachers (the Education Trust panel)​

As the number of students of color in our nation’s classrooms continues to grow, the number of teachers of color in those classrooms remains dismally low. In this panel, black teachers will share their experiences and perceptions on a range of issues — from practice to education reform — and the educational themes most critical to them. Ed Trust will share findings from our conversations with black teachers across seven states and gain a deeper understanding of the unique strengths of these teachers; the roles they assume and challenges they face; and the implications for schools and districts looking not only to recruit but to keep talented black teachers.

The Future of News - Powered by CBS News

CBSN is an interactive, 24/7, digital, live-streaming, broadband network. During its record first quarter of 2016, CBSN delivered 48.6 million streams. CBSN was named “Best News and Information Channel” at the 20th Annual Webby Awards. Meet the correspondents and executive producers behind the newscast that is being called “the next big thing.”

• Moderator: Vladimir Duthiers,Correspondent, CBS News

• Nancy Lane, Senior Exec. Producer CBS Digital

• Mosheh Oinounou, Exec. Producer, CBSN

• Robert Hernandez, Professor of Digital Journalism, USC Annenberg

• Rachid Haoues, Producer, CBSN

Multi-Media Journalism: The Right Way​

"PANEL 2
Are you a Multi-Media Journalist reporter/photographer, or aspire to be? MMJ’s
are becoming the norm in newsrooms across the country, no matter the market size. Many are
required to write, shoot, edit stories, set-up live shots, and post to the web and social media with
tighter deadlines than ever. Learn beginning, intermediate and advanced skills from panelists
with a wide range of newsroom experiences and market sizes. "

• Moderator: Kenneth Jones, FAMU Professor

• Jonathan Blakely, Producer, CBS Evening News

• Farai Chideya, Reporter/Political & Cultural Analyst

• Imani Cheers, Assistant Professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University

• Fadia Patterson, ABC 36 Reporter / MMJ

Innovating Social Media: How to Navigate, Brand and Excel - Powered by CBS News

Learn from the pros on how to brand your social media and navigate through the wide variety of applications. Panelists will show and tell how they use social media to enhance their reporting on a daily basis. Walk away with a game plan on how you can promote your professional brand on the most influential platforms.

• Moderator: Wesley Lowery Reporter, Washington Post

• Pedro Rafael Rosado, Senior Staff Editor, New York Times

• Cydney Adams, Coordinating Producer, CBSEveningNews.com

• Jozen Cummings, Editorial Curator, Twitter Moments

• Walter Smith Randolph, Investigative Reporter, WWMT (Kalamazoo)

The Power of the Youth Voice

Moderated by New Jersey Public Radio's Sarah Gonzalez this discussion with producers from youth media programs in New York and Philadelphia will focus on how the unique voice of young people can energize stories. Participants will discover how to change the filter through which we hear the opinions of youth. Panelists will include both young people and the producers who work with them sharing their experiences in reporting youth stories. Participants will learn tips and tools to engage with youth and leverage their honest and fresh perspectives to inform their reporting.

• Moderator: Sarah Gonzalez, Reporter, WNYC & New Jersey Public Radio
• Veralyn Williams, Managing Editor, Brooklyn Deep
• Nuala Cabral, Media and Communications Manager, Temple University Community Collaborative
• Edward Munoz, Reporter, WNYC Radio Rookies
• Tanya Jackson, Youth Program Manager, BlackStar Film Festival, Owner/CEO, Life Happens Media Works
• Andrew Mambo, Associate Producer, WNYC

#BlackWomenVote: They Are Expecting Us to Stay Home - Powered by Planned Parenthood and Higher Heights for America

This election cycle has demonstrated that Black women are not a monolithic voting bloc and that our vote, voices and leadership should not be taken for granted. Black women will continue to be a crucial component of the winning coalition in the first post-Obama election. Are candidates truly reflecting the issues of their most loyal voting block? We are demanding that our voices be heard and candidates address our issues in a substantial way. Issues of economic opportunity and criminal justice reform to reproductive freedom and voting rights -- join the discussion led by activists and media leaders on the role that Black women voters will play in shaping the post-Obama narrative this election.

4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

PR Beyond the Red Carpet

Based on the depictions of public relations in pop culture, PR professionals are solely Hollywood publicists. However, entertainment is not the only avenue to follow to have a successful and gratifying career in PR. Every industry needs to communicate its message effectively, be it a member of Congress, an association that represents thousands of members, or an advocacy organization vying for attention to promote its cause. The panelists will present information on the range of PR opportunities in government, non-profits, associations and presidential administrations, how to land these positions as well as freelancing in this realm.

• Yolanda McCutchen, PR Manager, District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency
• Zerline Hughes, Co-Principal, Communications Consultant, Media-Mingle
• Aprill Turner, Principal, Turner Communications
• Cleve Mesidor, Global Solutions Consultant, The Raben Group

Audio Storytelling Workshop

In the new and expansive multi-platform “digital space,” NPR leads the way when it comes to innovative and compelling audio storytelling. So what makes a good audio story? Where does one start? Whether your goal is to do a full-blown radio story, use audio clips in your blog, accompany photos on the web, or create a podcast, this workshop will help you better understand audio’s storytelling strengths, select the best sound and write for the ear. In this session we also discuss recording and producing on a shoe-string budget, using mobile phone technology and free apps.

• Moderator: Rolando Arrieta, Production Manager, National Public Radio
• Sam Sanders, Reporter, Washington Desk, National Public Radio
• Shereen Marisol Meraji, Reporter/Host, NPR's Code Switch​

4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Redefining Talent: Help With Building, Sharpening New Skills

The game is changing. The new generation of on-air talent must write, produce, and report across the traditional platforms of television and print, as well digital platforms and social platforms such as Facebook, and Snapchat. For managers and producers, that means learning how to develop and nurture a new breed of talent. For talent that is already in the mix, that means not only learning how to leverage these new platforms, but how to adapt their tone and style for viewers that demands authenticity and peer-to-peer communication. Experts in this emerging space offer advice on how to succeed on all platforms.

• Moderator: Dorothy Tucker
• Steve Capus, Executive Editor, CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley
• Josanne Lopez, Veteran Multimedia News Producer and Executive
• Alicia Menendez, Correspondent, Fusion
• Vladimir Duthiers, Correspondent, CBS News, Anchor, CBSN
• Trymaine Lee, National Reporter, MSNBC
• Sara Rodriguez, Executive Producer, Vice Media

Innovative Thinking in Leadership and Diversity: Risky Business for 2016 and Beyond

More than ever before, we require our leaders at all levels to be innovators. The survivors in media tomorrow are the innovators today. Our industry and your business need leaders with a passion for the future of journalism, who understand the value of change and risk, and who see how diversity in all forms can accelerate success. This session will explore how culture, risk, diversity, accountability, recruiting and talent development all come together to create a work environment ideal for sustaining and growing our long-term ability to inform and engage our communities. This session is for leaders, influencers and innovators at every level of an organization, including entry-level, and not just those with “manager” in their title. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Chris Kline, News Director, KNVX, Phoenix
• Hugo Balta, Senior Director of Multicultural Content, ESPN
• Terri Cope-Walton, News Director, WRTV
• Omino Gardezi, Strategic Management Consultant, Saints
• Marcus Riley, Director of Digital, WTMJ-TV

Putting a Hard Edge in Your Entertainment Reporting

Entertainment journalism doesn't have to be synonymous with fluff: Top journalists are distinguishing themselves with hard-edged, probing articles that break news and move the needle in pop culture. But how do you take that beat reporting to the next level? Journalists who have distinguished themselves by going beyond the headlines reveal the tools and the keys necessary to go from chasing who's doing what to writing game-changing articles. |Track: Covering the Story

• Moderator: Nekesa Moody, Global Entertainment & Lifestyles Editor, The Associated Press
• Kelley Carter, Writer, The Undefeated
• Lola Ogunnaike, Features & Entertainment Journalist
• Wesley Morris, Journalist &

So You Think You Can Podcast?

Almost anyone can, but this panel will give you a head start on being successful! Join a group of podcast innovators who will break down what you need to know about how to move your podcast from idea to launch. They’ll talk about identifying and appealing to your target audience, basic production techniques, distribution models and promotion. Our panelists highlight a range of experiences, backgrounds and approaches to storytelling. You’ll gain a good sense of podcasting’s unique opportunities, and how to take advantage of them. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Suraya Mohamed, Producer, Sound Designer, Editor, NPR
• Ashley Edokpayi, media relations professional, AARP, multimedia journalist, co-host, The Millenial Hour podcast
• Stephanie Kariuki, multimedia journalist, global development professional, co-creator and co-host of The Millenial Hour podcast
• Shannon Cason, Executive Director, Homemade Media LLC
• Amy Choi, Editorial Director, The Mash-Up America
• Celeste Headlee, Host & Executive Producer, On Second Thought

Mastering Journalism in a Bilingual Environment​

Many reporters work in cities and towns where it is often very challenging to find witnesses or officials who speak Spanish. Journalists have been in predicaments where they have made interesting decisions to ensure the stories were still told despite the language barriers. Learn creative ideas to navigate these waters and still make deadline.

• Moderator: SKarla Leal, general assignment reporter and fill in anchor for WSNS Telemundo Chicago
• Xochitl Sandoval, News Director KBLR Telemundo Las Vegas
• Mariel Fiori, Managing Editor, La Voz Spanish-Language magazine & host for Spanish language news radio show on WGXC and WHDD, Hudson Valley, NY
• Eden Soto Alva, Reporter Univision, Dallas, TX

Race and Sports: Breaking Down the Barriers - Powered by USA Swimming

Michael Wilbon’s column in The Undefeated put a light on how analytics are possibly locking out minorities out of opportunities in front office, managing and head coaching positions in sports. A Houston Chronicle columnist is criticized for quoting Astros player Carlos Gomez’s broken English, which brought on calls for the need of more diversity on the baseball beat and editing ranks. How do you promote growth in these areas as well as in unusual sports for African-Americas and Hispanics such as swimming, lacrosse and golf.

• Moderator: Keli Fulton Ferguson, Sports Anchor, ESPN 106.3 on WPTV and Fox29
• Jesus Ortiz, Sports Columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Vincent Goodwill, Comcast Sports Chicago "Insider," Chicago Bulls
• Maritza McClendon, Olympic Swimmer, 2004 U.S. Olympic Team
• Jemele Hill, Host, ESPN
• Alejandro Danois, Editor-in-Chief, The Shadow League
• Jim Jackson, Former NBA Player

LGBTQ Voices of Color, Intersectionality, and Successful Storytelling

With advances taking place in the LGBTQIA community in recent years, a new generation of media professionals have taken the lead in ensuring all voices are heard, moving journalists, influencers and content leaders toward intersectionality. Through this panel, we will seek to answer questions that journalists of color may have about the LGBTQIA community and covering it, especially in light of the recent tragedy in Orlando and the age of social media.

• Moderator: Marcus Mabry, U.S. head of Curation, Twitter Moments
• Tiq Milan, Trans Activist
• Carlos Maza, Media Matters for America
• Rob Smith, Contributor, NBC OUT
• Katina Parker, Writer/Documentary Filmmaker

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Behind the Scenes of Ambitious Digital Projects (formerly known as Aim High: Ambitious Multiplatform Projects)​

Digital storytelling is beginning to hit a stride. Ever wondered how that exciting project came together, the roles of designers and developers or what inspires great projects? In this session, digital designers will uncover the nitty gritty of their roles on special projects, define the roles of their cohorts and explain how some of their best work came together. They will also curate a number of compelling stories they admire and break down the elements that madde these projects great, with real commentary from the teams that worked on them. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the discipline, tools, techniques and resources used on digital projects and experience engaging visuals.

• Michael Grant, Senior Digital Designer, Minneapolis Star Tribune

• Angelica Rogers, Digital Designer, The New York Times

• Emily Martinez, Production Assistant/Design Fellow, StoryCorps/ProPublica

Everyone Doesn't Want to Be on TV: Making Magic Happen Behind the Screen​

All sports fans and enthusiasts are familiar with the glamorous on-air positions but there is a large percentage of people that don’t want to be on TV or after being in the spotlight, decide it’s not the best fit. What else can you do and stay within your industry? Who are the faces behind the lens making magic happen? The producers, directors, editors, talent bookers, publicists those are the ones behind the camera, making moves and defining moments for the world to see and enjoy. On this panel, this diverse group of professionals will give an overview on the sports jobs you should know about and what it takes to succeed in these important positions.

• Melissa Knowles, Host, HLN

• Drew Watkins, Creative Director, Turner Sports

• Amina Hussein, Coordinating Producer, ESPN Sports Center

• Jermaine Spradley, Executive Editor, Bleacher Report

• Debbie Sprader, Agent, Wasserman Group

A Plan Of Action After A Layoff

As the industry continues its difficult adaptation to the new media world order, journalists continue to get caught in the crossfire with layoffs and job changes. What can you do to prepare before being laid off? Do you set yourself up for another journalism job or do you consider another career where you can use your journalism skills? Our panel of experts who have created their own Plan Bs will tell their stories about their post-layoff lives and offer you tips on planning the next phase of your career. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Benet Wilson, Owner/Editor-In-Chief, Aviation Queen LLC

• Maggie Leung, Senior Director of Content, NerdWallet

• Salvador Morales, Freelance Broadcast Journalist

• Rob Parker, Sports Anchor, TV20 Detroit

• Summer Nettles, Television Producer, City and County of Denver

Covering Mexico

Join this panel of journalists for a conversation about the perils of covering Mexico from a US-based and a Mexican-based reporting perspectives. From reporting in hostile environments, to finding reliable and trustworthy sources, to the editorial freedom or constraints, to fear of persecution; how do journalists prepare to cover this area while maintaining fairness and balanced journalism? Members of the media from both countries talk about how they’ve covered Mexico while staying safe on and off the job. Track: Covering the Story

Everyone Doesn't Want to Be on TV: Making Magic Happen Behind the Screen

All sports fans and enthusiasts are familiar with the glamorous on-air positions but there is a large percentage of people that don’t want to be on TV or after being in the spotlight, decide it’s not the best fit. What else can you do and stay within your industry? Who are the faces behind the lens making magic happen? The producers, directors, editors, talent bookers, publicists those are the ones behind the camera, making moves and defining moments for the world to see and enjoy. On this panel, this diverse group of professionals will give an overview on the sports jobs you should know about and what it takes to succeed in these important positions. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Carrie Kahn, National Correspondent, Mexico City, NPR

• Alfredo Corchado, Author and Mexico City Correspondent, Dallas Morning News

• Marcela Turati Munoz, Freelance Reporter, Mexico

• Alejandra Von Bertrab, Independent Investigative Reporter, Mexico City

• Irving Huerta, Independent Investigative Reporter, Mexico City

• Marcela Turati Munoz, Freelance Reporter, Mexico

Starting your PR Firm: The Do’s and Don’ts from those who Did and Didn’t

Thinking about starting your own public relations firm? Attend this session and talk to PR firms about their success, mishaps, and failures about running your own agency. Walk away with the Top 10 Things to Consider Before Starting your PR Firm.

• Moderator:  Aprill O. Turner, Owner, Turner Communications
• Gwen McKinney, McKinney & Associates
• Troy Prestwood, Owner, Prestwood Commuincations
• Tanzi West Barbour, Senior Director of Communications, Charters and Choice
• Aprill O. Turner, Turner Communications

Behind the Scenes of Ambitious Digital Projects (formerly known as Aim High: Ambitious Multiplatform Projects)
Digital storytelling is beginning to hit a stride. Ever wondered how that exciting project came together, the roles of designers and developers or what inspires great projects? In this session, digital designers will uncover the nitty gritty of their roles on special projects, define the roles of their cohorts and explain how some of their best work came together. They will also curate a number of compelling stories they admire and break down the elements that made these projects great, with real commentary from the teams that worked on them. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of the discipline, tools, techniques and resources used on digital projects and experience engaging visuals.

Be in the Know: HIV & AIDS, the African American & Latino Communities and Telling the Stories Going Untold

Health news can be confusing but one fact remains stubbornly true: African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Learn why people of color are behind in getting the closest thing to a cure the pharmaceutical industry has to offer. Join in the discussion with this panel of experts as we break down what this means for black and brown communities, the latest in statistics and resources, outreach, prevention, treatment and lessons from exemplary journalism that connect it all. Even if you don't cover health as your main beat, you will come away with up-to-date facts, great data skills and a list of story ideas.

• Moderator: Sharif Durhams, Homepage Editor, The Washington Post

• Oriol Gutierrez, Editor-in-Chief, POZ Magazine

• Djibril Diallo, Regional Director, Western and Central Africa, UNAIDS

• Venton Jones, Program Officer, LGBT Health & Wellness Initiatives, National Black Justice Coalition

• Francisco Ruiz, National Partnerships Team Lead, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Cleo Manago, Founder and CEO, Black Men's Xchange National

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

So You Think You Can Podcast?

Almost anyone can, but this panel will give you a head start on being successful! Join a group of podcast innovators who will break down what you need to know about how to move your podcast from idea to launch. They’ll talk about identifying and appealing to your target audience, basic production techniques, distribution models and promotion. Our panelists highlight a range of experiences, backgrounds and approaches to storytelling. You’ll gain a good sense of podcasting’s unique opportunities, and how to take advantage of them. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Suraya Mohamed, Producer, Sound Designer, Editor, NPR
• Ashley Edokpayi, media relations professional, AARP, multimedia journalist, co-host, The Millenial Hour podcast
• Stephanie Kariuki, multimedia journalist, global development professional, co-creator and co-host of The Millenial Hour podcast
• Shannon Cason, Executive Director, Homemade Media LLC
• Amy Choi, Editorial Director, The Mash-Up America
• Celeste Headlee, Host & Executive Producer, On Second Thought

11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Mastering Social Media: News Gathering, Engagement, Trends & Analytics​

Learn from the pros on how to brand your social media and navigate through the wide variety of applications. Panelists will show and tell how they use social media to enhance their reporting on a daily basis. Walk away with a game plan on how you can promote your professional brand on the most influential platforms.

• Moderator:  Sia Nyorkor, Reporter and Multimedia Journalist, CBS Cleveland WOIO
• Pedro Rafael Rosado, Senior Staff Editor, The New York Times
• Cydney Adams, Coordinating Producer, CBSEveningNews.com
• Jozen Cummings, Editorial Curator, Twitter Moments
• Luis Giraldo, Associate Producer, CBS 48 Hours

Outside the Mainstream: Why Journalists of Color Are Finding Their Voices in Independent Media

As fewer corporations dominate the U.S. media landscape, independent media has become increasingly attractive to both consumers as a news source and journalists as a space to practice their craft. Outlets including ProPublica, The Nation,Democracy Now! and more are being recognized with the industry's highest awards for consistently covering stories that mainstream media often overlooks, from social justice to climate change to international human rights issues. This workshop will teach attendees how to produce stories for independent outlets vs. corporate media; answer questions about “advocacy” or “social justice” journalism; and share information that prospective staffers need to know about the unique culture of many of these organizations—including looking at dearth of journalists of color on staff, even as these outlets often take the lead in coverage of our communities. |Track: Managing Your Career

• Moderator: Carla E. Wills, Senior News Producer, Democracy Now!

• Jahna Berry, Web Editor, Mother Jones

• Kai Wright, Features Editor, The Nation

• Lena Groeger, Journalist/Developer/Designer, ProPublica

• Fernando Diaz, Senior Editor, Digital, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting

• Talia Buford, Environment & Labor Reporter, The Center for Public Integrity

Jazzing it Up: Creative Standups and Live Shots

It’s no secret. We are in constant competition with not only other TV stations, but also cell phones, computers and every day tasks for viewers. Telling a compelling story is more important and a demonstrative stand up is a key component. News directors and even viewers expect reporters/anchors to show them something as opposed to just telling them. This session will teach you how to produce creative stand ups and live shots on deadline with the goal to enhance your story and compel the viewer to stick around. |Track: Educators

• Moderator: Garin Flowers, Multi-skilled journalist, 10News WTSP in Tampa/St. Petersburg

• Chauncy Glover, Anchor/Reporter, KTRK ABC 13 in Houston

• Marlisa Goldsmith, Anchor/Reporter, WPXI in Pittsburgh

Covering Environmental Injustice: Racism and Critical Resources in the South

From New Orleans to Lowndes County, Alabama, there are innumerable stories about racial inequality reflected through environmental challenges in communities of color. This session focuses on some of those challenges in the U.S. South, including in access to appropriate sewage disposal in the Alabama Black Belt, and the burdens of industrial hog farming in Eastern North Carolina. We will discuss the nuances of these regional challenges, and connect them to similar struggles outside of the South, including the current water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Journalists will learn about how they can connect their work on race and racism to environmental challenges, and receive leads for potential new stories. This session brings together four panelists whose work connects contemporary environmental challenges to questions of racial inequality in the U.S. South. The panelists are journalists, scholars, and activists. |Track: Covering the Story

• Moderator: Pamela Purifoy, Chief Brand Strategist, PR Communications Group

• Brentin Mock, Writer, CityLab

• Danielle Purifoy, Lawyer and Environmental Scholar Based in North Carolina, Editor, Scalawag Magazine

• Catherine Coleman Flowers, Founder and Executive Director, Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise (ACRE)

HBCU Journalism in the Digital Age​

If journalism education is in trouble, what does that mean for struggling black college journalism programs trying to provide students with a wider range of skills and training? We explore the pitfalls and possible solutions with panelists who open the room for a group discussion.

• Moderator: Daarel Burnette, Reporter, Education Week, Chair, NABJ HBCU Task Force

• DeWayne Wickham, Founding Dean, Morgan State University School of Global Journalism & Communication

• Shirley Carswell, Educator, Howard University, Advisor, The Hilltop

• Michael Grant, Senior Digital Designer, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Co-Chair and Lead Mentor, ONA HBCU Digital Media Fellows.

• Clarece Polke, Charles B. Rangel Foreign Affairs Fellow, former Reuters-NABJ Fellow

• LaCrai Mitchell, Recent FAMU Graduate/ONA Fellow, News Associate, CBS News 48 Hours

• Jayson Overby, Morehouse College EIC and Designer (ONA Fellow)

Voting Rights and the Presidential Election: A Deep Look​

November will mark the first presidential election without a key provision of the Voting Rights Act act that kept states and jurisdictions -- mostly in the South -- with a history of discrimination in check. The Supreme Court three years ago struck down the preclearance requirement for Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and other states and places. Voting rights advocates are concerned about what could happen at the polls in November, particularly with new laws such as Voter ID that they believe are intended to create barriers to black and brown voters casting their ballots. This session will explore what reporters covering politics and the White House race should look for as they chase Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton and gear up for the general election in November.

• Maria Pena, Washington Correspondent, La Opinion
• Darren Sands, Reporter, BuzzFeedNews

Introduction to Multimedia Journalism

Are you a multimedia journalist -- reporter or photographer -- or do you aspire to be one? Multimedia journalists, or MMJs, are becoming the norm in newsrooms across the country, no matter the market size. Many are required to write, shoot, edit stories, set up live shots and post to the web and social media with tighter deadlines than in the past. Learn beginning, intermediate and advanced skills from panelists with a wide range of newsroom experiences and market sizes. |Track: Tech, Visuals and Cutting Edge

• Moderator: Kenneth Jones, Professor, Florida A & M University

• Jonathan Blakely, Producer, CBS Evening News

• Rodney Hawkins, Associate Producer, CBS This Morning

• Imani Cheers, Assistant Professor, School of Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University