Aerial M. Ellis, Ed.D.’s Post

3 Lessons for People of Color Tracie Powell's journey offers invaluable lessons for people of color aspiring to make their mark in journalism and beyond. Her advice for aspiring journalists is to be prepared and aware of the opportunities and people around them. Powell's experiences, filled with challenges and triumphs, serve as a roadmap for navigating and reshaping traditionally exclusive industries. 1. She wants publishers of color to know that the status quo will underestimate and dismiss them; thus, there is a need to be strong and hyper-focused on audience needs. Her story is a powerful reminder that stumbling blocks, while daunting, can be stepping stones to more remarkable achievements. 2. She opines, "Black publications should learn to be relevant, to be timely, have talent and resources they need to report the kind of stories that are not reported anywhere else." 3. Powell's work, especially through The Pivot Fund and Racial Equity and Journalism Fund, underscores the importance of advocacy. Her efforts demonstrate that creating change requires individual excellence and a commitment to lifting others. She eloquently says, "I am here to amplify the work they're doing so they can get the funding from me and others." Therefore, she wants BIPOC publishers to strive for excellence! Tracie Powell's journey and work continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of journalists, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her story is a beacon of hope, determination, and relentless pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable media landscape. Click the link below to read more about Tracie Powell, -The Badass Fighter! https://lnkd.in/eBKs_Wcp

The recent controversy surrounding the hiring of Kathleen McElroy at Texas A&M University is a clear example of racism towards Black faculty. McElroy, a highly respected journalist and professor, was initially offered a tenured position to lead the university's journalism program. However, after a vocal group of constituents expressed concerns about her work on race and diversity in newsrooms, the university rescinded the offer and replaced it with a one-year contract. This is a clear case of discrimination. McElroy was not offered the same terms as other white faculty members, and she was only offered a one-year contract because of her work on race and diversity. This is a clear example of how Black faculty are often treated differently than their white counterparts. The treatment of McElroy is also a reflection of the larger problem of racism at Texas A&M. The university has a long history of racism, and this incident is just the latest example. In recent years, the university has been criticized for its treatment of Black students, faculty, and staff. The McElroy situation is a wake-up call for Texas A&M. The university needs to take steps to address its racism problem. This includes hiring more Black faculty and staff, and creating a more inclusive environment for all students. The McElroy situation is also a reminder of the importance of fighting for diversity and inclusion in academia. We need to ensure that all faculty members, regardless of their race or ethnicity, are treated equally. We also need to create a more inclusive environment for all students, so that they can thrive in college and beyond. The McElroy situation is a tragedy, but it is also an opportunity for change. Texas A&M can use this incident as a catalyst to address its racism problem and create a more inclusive environment for all students and faculty.

"During my conversation with the publishers, I tried to highlight exactly why I thought the solutions journalism approach reflected the best traditions of the Black press. After all, when we covered the nascent, and then growing, Civil Rights Movement when the white-led press ignored or ridiculed it, what were we doing but highlighting proposed solutions to injustice?" Damaso Reyes and the New York Amsterdam News team are doing some very special work right now. As part of SJN's Labor Cohort, they covered the historic fight to include Black people in labor unions and in various parts of the labor sector, including what's working to give young people access to the trades now. But beyond that, they are tackling one of the United States' most pernicious problems — gun violence — with compassion, complexity, and an eye toward solutions. From all that work, Damaso gathered some of the lessons of bringing solutions journalism to such a historic newsroom, including how many community and ethnic newsrooms are already much closer to doing SoJo than they might believe. Whether you're in a small community newsroom strapped for time and resources, or a big one where you're struggling to turn the tide toward solutions reporting, Amsterdam News' experience will help you move forward.

If democracy matters, journalism and journalism education do too.

This is cringe worthy but not surprising based on all the political pandering and misinformation spread about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I predict that this million dollar settlement will be the proverbial "tip of the Iceberg" in losses to organizations who are ignoring the documented benefits of cultures rich in inclusion and belonging for everyone. Can your culture afford a loss of innovation, productivity, psychological safety ,productivity and engagement in 2023 and beyond? If not move forward with common sense and intentional processes,policies and practices that center the team winning by encouraging people to show up with their unique talents, cultures and perspectives. Don't get distracted , inclusion will always be a winning strategy.#inclusion #engagement

This case is certainly about prejudice and institutionalized racism. From a political and leadership perspective, the university’s attempt to balance post Supreme Court dismantling of Affirmative Action in higher education and the anti DEI climate in Texas should not be overlooked. The leadership’s fears and lack of DEI IQ were a recipe for institutionalized racism, gender inequity and reinforcing a conservative backlash. A low DEI IQ will make you fall on your sword every time when trying to navigate the treacherous terrain of race and politics. How can you be prepared for inevitable DEI backlash against the racial equity tidal wave? 1. Hire a well trained, certified DEI professional for a C Suite DEI role (Not all certification credentials programs require training, such as those that prepare you to pass an exam). 2. Hire an HR officer with HR & DEI certifications. 3. Listen to them and heed their advice. Avoid trying for a two for one. You need both roles and hire an expert for each. 4. Protect them when the organization is navigating race and politics. The head of the organization needs to partner with them during DEI challenging moments but take the helm when defending the organization publicly and privately.

3 Lessons for People of Color Tracie Powell's journey offers invaluable lessons for people of color aspiring to make their mark in journalism and beyond. Her advice for aspiring journalists is to be prepared and aware of the opportunities and people around them. Powell's experiences, filled with challenges and triumphs, serve as a roadmap for navigating and reshaping traditionally exclusive industries. 1. She wants publishers of color to know that the status quo will underestimate and dismiss them; thus, there is a need to be strong and hyper-focused on audience needs. Her story is a powerful reminder that stumbling blocks, while daunting, can be stepping stones to more remarkable achievements. 2. She opines, "Black publications should learn to be relevant, to be timely, have talent and resources they need to report the kind of stories that are not reported anywhere else." 3. Powell's work, especially through The Pivot Fund and Racial Equity and Journalism Fund, underscores the importance of advocacy. Her efforts demonstrate that creating change requires individual excellence and a commitment to lifting others. She eloquently says, "I am here to amplify the work they're doing so they can get the funding from me and others." Therefore, she wants BIPOC publishers to strive for excellence! Tracie Powell's journey and work continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations of journalists, particularly those from marginalized communities. Her story is a beacon of hope, determination, and relentless pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable media landscape. Click the link below to read more about Tracie Powell, -The Badass Fighter! https://ow.ly/eSvr50QvyAR #funtimesmagazine #peopleofcolor #blackjournalist #blackmedia #africanamerican

How much does it cost to sustain a thriving BIPOC-led and serving journalism ecosystem over the next 10-15 years? What role has/does/could BIPOC journalism play in civic participation? How could Black journalism exist, beautifully, in the public sphere? The REJ Fund gathered partners to explore these questions, and the Fund’s guiding north star: What does it feel like, sound like, look like when there’s a thriving, abundant information ecosystem full of BIPOC practitioners serving BIPOC communities? https://lnkd.in/eY4As4HB

As a journalist, I know mistakes happen in newsrooms. I am loathe to "pile on" when someone messes up. SO, this is a tough one. Still, I am wracking my brain to understand. I have worked as a TV news producer and an TV news executive producer, so here are my questions for KMOV-TV: - How does this word even make it into a newsroom, let alone occur to anyone to write into a script? - Did the anchor read his scripts before the show? Most anchors I know are conscientious and do this without fail. However, it is not uncommon for some to skip this step. - If the anchor did read this script, did he not recognize the problem? Scripts can change at the last minute, so he may not have known what was coming until he was reading the teleprompter. - Who is the producer who wrote this tease? A producer is the most likely author, based on newsroom task assignments. Have they been fired? - Who was the manager on this shift and did they review scripts for the newscast aired? What is their take on what happened? The statement from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mentions multiple on-air apologies, but I cannot find them on KMOV's social media. This is vital, as not everyone will see every newscast. (If anyone spots something, please post in the comments). And, what is the KMOV-TV plan moving forward?