Elevate: HBCU Media Conference

April 17 – 18, 2025 | The Starling Atlanta, Midtown | Atlanta, GA

Sponsored by the Google News Initiative, the HBCU Media Conference is a two-day event designed to empower the next generation of HBCU journalists by providing access to industry leaders, hands-on training, and groundbreaking discussions on the future of media.

Whether you’re a student journalist, faculty member, or media professional, this event will equip you with the tools needed to navigate today’s digital media landscape.

Registration is now open!
HBCU departments, student media, educators and students can now register. Groups may book up to 8. Individual students and educators may also register.
➜ Register

The Starling, Midtown Atlanta
Those planning to attend can now book a room at The Starling. We have reserved a special room block.

Explore Speakers & Panelists
We’re thankful for this dynamic group of professionals who have all agreed to join us and share their skills, perspectives and insights.
➜ View the Speaker List

Looking for us?
Sessions are taking place on the second floor, in three rooms throughout the day: Hub 1, Hub 2, and Station which is down the hall (on the second floor) and around the corner.

8:00 am - 9:00 am Trio

Breakfast

9:30 am - 10:30 am Station

Welcome Address: The Importance of HBCU Student Journalism

This opening keynote sets the tone for the conference, highlighting the legacy, impact, and future of HBCU student journalism. The speaker will address representation, digital transformation, democracy, and the power of storytelling. This session aims to motivate and empower attendees to embrace leadership in media.

Ron Nixon

10:45 am - 11:45 pm Station

Introducing the HBCU Digital Media Collaborative

The collaborative offers critical resources, exposure, and support participating campuses. In this session, we explore the benefits of the HBCU Collaborative. Learn more in this information session, Q&A and discussion about your campus and community needs.

Justin Rushing

Michael Grant

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Trio

Lunch

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Station

HBCU Journalism Initiatives (Lightning Talks & Interactive Q&A)

This session features rapid-fire presentations from HBCU journalism initiatives, highlighting their mission, impact, and opportunities for student engagement. Each initiative will deliver a 5–7 minute talk followed by an interactive Q&A.

Shirley Carswell

Ali Jackson-Jolley

Eden Turner

Priska Neely

Theodore (Ted) Kim

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Hub 1

Writing Workshop

This interactive session focuses on journalistic writing skills, covering strong leads, storytelling techniques, clarity, and digital optimization. Attendees will participate in writing exercises, peer feedback, and revision techniques to strengthen their reporting.

Alex Ip

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Hub 2

Social Media Workshop

This session equips student journalists with strategies to maximize social media presence. Topics include content creation, branding, engagement tactics, audience growth, and ethics. Attendees will develop tailored content strategies for their platforms.

Mark S. Luckie

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm Station

Creating Products That Serve Your Audience

This session focuses on helping student journalists build sustainable media products (articles, podcasts, newsletters, and social content). Experts will cover branding, audience engagement, monetization, and scaling strategies. Attendees will gain insights into creating media that aligns with their mission and long-term goals.

Cynthia DuBose

Michael Grant

Dr. Robbie Morganfield

4:45 pm - 5:45 pm Station

The Need for Young Black Journalists

This keynote underscores the importance of Black journalists in the evolving media landscape. Topics will include representation, industry challenges, career growth, and leveraging digital media. The address will serve as a call to action for young Black journalists to lead, innovate, and advocate for their communities.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Trio

Evening Reception

8:00 am - 9:00 am Trio

Breakfast

9:30 am - 10:30 am Hub 1

Realities of The Field

This open conversation provides a candid look at the journalism industry, featuring early-career professionals and seasoned journalists. Topics include job searching, newsroom representation, mental health, and career pivots. Attendees will gain first-hand insights on navigating the field.

Ashton Edmunds

Nilea Cosley

9:30 am - 10:30 am Hub 2

The New Wave of News

This discussion will explore the rapid transformation of news media, including mobile-first journalism, audience engagement, multimedia storytelling, and misinformation challenges. Panelists will highlight emerging trends and how young journalists can adapt to the digital-first approach.

Priska Neely

Mark S. Luckie

Najja Parker

10:45 am - 11:45 am Station

"How Can Your Campus News Serve the Community"

This panel will explore the role of campus newsrooms in informing, engaging, and advocating for their communities. Speakers will discuss building trust, leveraging partnerships, solutions journalism, and digital expansion. Attendees will leave with practical steps to enhance the impact and relevance of their campus publications.

Amanda Bright, PhD, MJE

Gary Green

Kamille D. Whittaker

Debbie Blankenship

Mira Lowe

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Trio

Lunch

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Station

Journalism That Moves the Culture: Business, Sports & Politics Through a Digital Lens

This session will examine the intersection of journalism, culture, and technology. Topics include how Black journalists are shaping business reporting, sports journalism, and political coverage. Panelists will discuss digital storytelling tools, independent journalism, and advocacy-driven content.

Jim Trotter

Ali Jackson-Jolley

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Hub 1

YESEO: The SEO Slack tool for newsrooms

YESEO app is a free Slack app that has been installed in over 600 workspaces and helps journalists with SEO best practices. In 2025 YESEO is partnering with The Oglethorpe Echo in the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, supported by the Google News Initiative.

Ryan Restivo

1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Hub 2

The Power of Video Storytelling for Aspiring Creators and Journalists

Join us for an engaging workshop tailored for aspiring video journalists and content creators! In today's digital age, the power of video cannot be underestimated—it's a dynamic medium that captivates audiences, drives engagement, and tells stories like no other. Learn from two award-winning video journalists who will share invaluable lessons, tips, and insights from their careers. Discover how to create compelling video content that resonates with viewers while gaining practical skills and building your confidence in storytelling. Explore what it takes to be a successful video journalist and how to advance in your career in this fast-evolving landscape.

Brandon Graves

Mike Nicolas

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Station

Internships Workshop

This session provides a roadmap for securing internships in journalism and media. Topics include resume-building, networking, applications, and interview prep. Attendees will develop their resumes, practice pitches, and receive industry insights.

Stephen Adams

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Hub 1

Career Introductions: Newsroom-Adjacent Careers

This session will showcase careers beyond traditional reporting, including editorial strategy, marketing, tech, product development, and business operations. Panelists will share career pathways, industry skills, and strategies to enter these fields.

Justin Rushing

Kamille D. Whittaker

Mark S. Luckie

Mike Jordan

3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Station

Fellowship Success: Maximizing Impact and Growth

This discussion focuses on fellowships as stepping stones for career advancement. Attendees will learn about applying for fellowships, networking, skill-building, and leveraging opportunities for long-term success. Fellowship recipients will share their journeys and best practices.

Shirley Carswell

Theodore (Ted) Kim

Michael Grant

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Station

What Are We Looking For in Hiring Emerging Talent

This interactive discussion will explore the qualities, skills, and innovative potential that organizations seek in early-career professionals, particularly those from diverse backgrounds and emerging media landscapes. Hiring managers, industry leaders, and HR professionals will exchange insights on talent acquisition, recruitment strategies, and professional development to ensure new hires align with the evolving media industry.