NABJLA Statement Regarding the Killing of Margo Spann

Update: 03-23-21: City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas acknowledged Margo’s passing as an adjourning motion.

Update: LAPD West Traffic Division says the suspect and suspected vehicle are now in custody. The story is developing.

With heavy hearts and great concern, the Board of Directors of NABJLA send our condolences to the family of our fellow board member, Margo Spann, who was killed in a hit-and-run incident earlier this week.

We join the outpouring of love from Margo’s friends, family, and former colleagues back home in Milwaukee. We send our love and support to her family at this time of unspeakable pain and grief.

Additionally, in the midst of our collective grief, we call on LAPD for transparency and on our community for assistance in finding who killed Margo.

There is a $50K reward for anyone with information leading to finding the driver of the white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with an extended cab that struck her at Venice Blvd and Wilton Place.

We ask that you contact LAPD West Traffic Division at 213-473-0234 or 213-473-0562. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

NABJLA Statement Regarding Allegations of Racism at KCRW

The National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles stands in solidarity with current and former Black journalists who have recently publicly disclosed their anti-Black and otherwise problematic experiences while working at KCRW.

For at least the last year, reporter Cerise Castle has detailed on social media the racist and anti-Black behavior she’s faced while working at KCRW. In a recent interview on LA Podcast, she further detailed a host of issues, including being yelled at by a white male colleague, her qualifications being questioned, and some of her colleagues policing her ability to enter their newsroom. 

In a statement KCRW posted to their Twitter Tuesday, the station said they were made aware of Castle’s claims last year and that after a four-month investigation, her claims “were found to be unsubstantiated or not corroborated.” 

Since KCRW’s statement, two other reporters and NABJLA members, former vice president Jerome Campbell and our current vice president (and incoming president) Jarrett Hill, have also detailed the ways in which KCRW’s work environment made them feel unsupported or otherwise unwelcome. Their experiences mirror some of what Castle has disclosed. 

NABJLA first began conversations with KCRW last September when, due to unsupportive working conditions, Castle and Campbell, the station’s only Black reporters on staff, took an offered buyout. By leaving, the station had only one Black voice left on the editorial team. 

While these ongoing conversations with KCRW have been frank and fruitful—with the company having already made various shifts and implemented relevant sensitivity and bias trainings—we continue to demand greater accountability as we work with them to make their workplace as safe and equitable as possible for Black journalists, and others.

Note: This statement has been updated to reflect that when Castle and Campbell left KCRW, there was only one Black voice left on the editorial team. We originally said that there were none.

Media Contact:

nabjlaofficial@gmail.com

February 2021 | Hot Topics & Board Elections

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

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

Getting The Story: Navigating Breaking News

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

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

Panelists:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NABJLA Wins NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year

NABJLA has been announced as Chapter of the Year during the National Association of Black Journalists Virtual Awards! Thank you to NABJ for the recognition and to our NABJLA family and supporters!

“We never do the work for the recognition, but an honor never hurts! Special thanks to my entire NABJLA team for continuing to do what needs to be done” - Tre'vell Anderson, NABJLA President

Last NABJLA Meeting of the Year

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

NABJLA is a Finalist for Chapter of the Year

NABJLA is a finalist for NABJ's Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row! We’re grateful to be recognized.

Congrats to our fellow finalists, Greater Cincinnati Association of Black Journalists, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, NABJ South Florida and all award nominees. The winner will be announced during NABJ's Virtual Awards Ceremony on Dec. 19. More details below.

NABJ Congrats: Meteorologist Melissa Magee Joins NBC4'S Award-Winning Weather Team

Via NBC4

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA (October 30, 2020) –

NBC4/KNBC announced today that Melissa Magee will join its award-winning weather team as a meteorologist, starting November 2. Magee will anchor weather on NBC4’s weekday newscasts at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

A Los Angeles native who grew up watching NBC4, she joins the station following a successful career at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia. For more than 11 years, she has reported on wide-ranging and severe weather conditions in multiple climates. In addition, her on-air versatility has expanded to include hosting special news programs and lifestyle shows.

"Melissa understands the uniqueness of our market and the many microclimates that impact our viewers,” said Renee Washington, Vice President of News of NBC4. “Her strong meteorological skills and upbeat personality will be an asset to our First Alert weather team.”

Magee started her career at KBAK-TV in Bakersfield and later joined KDUH-TV in Nebraska. In 2006, she was a weather anchor at AccuWeather in Pennsylvania.

Magee is also passionate about giving back to the community where she lives and works. For years, she has supported several nonprofit groups helping the underserved. She volunteers to coach and mentor young girls and remains active with several organizations in Orange County. A graduate of UCLA, Magee holds a B.A. in English and has a certificate in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University.

About NBC4:

NBC4 is the West Coast flagship station of the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, serving the vast region since 1949. NBC4 produces 41 hours each week of local news and weather, and the station features the largest award-winning investigative unit in Southern California. The station also produces “California Live,” a live weekday 30-minute lifestyle show featuring the latest in entertainment, travel and lifestyle trends across the Golden State. NBC4’s news operation has received nearly every industry award bestowed on local news, including numerous Los Angeles Emmy and Golden Mike Awards, two national and two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody Award. NBC4 news is delivered across the main broadcast on channel 4, at www.nbcla.com, and through multiple interactive social media platforms 24/7. The NBC Owned Television Stations, a division of NBCUniversal, also operates COZI TV (www.cozitv.com), a national network that brings viewers some of America’s most beloved and iconic television shows and movies.

Los Angeles Times Internships and Fellowships

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

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

The Politics of 2020: How This Year Changed Everything

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

Panelists:

Zohreen Shah 

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

IG: @Zohreen_
Twitter: @Zohreen 

Arit John

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

Twitter: @AritBenie

Cerise Castle

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

IG: @yourmajestcee
Twitter: @cerisecastle

NABJLA's Third Annual Black Women In Media Discussion

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

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

More about our panelists: 

Anita Bennett

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

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

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

Mimi Brown

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

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

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

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

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

Shani Hilton

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

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

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

Dr. Tykeia N. Robinson, Ph.D.

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

Shar Jossell (Moderator)

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

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

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

August 2020 | Making the Pivot: Journalist to Screenwriter

As part of our ongoing "Making the Pivot" series, join us Saturday, August 29 at 11 a.m. PT as we host screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker (Marvel's "Luke Cage," "Notorious", "Lowriders" and "Creed II") in a one-on-one conversation about his former career as a hip-hop journalist and making the pivot to Hollywood. NABJLA President Tre'vell Anderson will moderate.

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

NABJ Congrats: Tre'vell Anderson Elected NABJ Region IV Director

NABJLA President Tre'vell Anderson has been elected NABJ Region IV Director to represent the chapters of California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Anderson is an entertainment reporter, film critic, co-host of the podcast FANTI, and co-chair of NABJ’s LGBTQ+ Task Force.

August 2020 | Digital Check-In

Mark your calendars. Join us Saturday, August 1 at 11 a.m. PT for a digital member check-in. This convening, led by NABJLA President Tre'vell Anderson, is for dues-paying members only. All members in good standing will receive meeting log-in information at least 48 hours before the event. If you need to check your dues status, please let us know. 

July 2020 | How Much Should We See?

Join us for a discussion on the impact of mainstream media’s (over)use of images of violence against Black bodies.

Panelists: 

Spirit, PhD, LPC, NCC (OWN's Love Goals)

Renee Washington (VP News, NBC4)

Dr. Charles Davis (Professor, University of Michigan)

Dr. Eudene Harry (Medical Director, Oasis Wellness)

June 2020 | Freelancing Ain't Free (Webinar)

NABJLA President Tre'vell Anderson hosts writers Mikelle Street and Stephanie Smith-Strickland for a conversation about the business of freelancing. We'll be discussing everything from setting rate to contract negotiations and beyond.

Note: This webinar has limited capacity. While all can register, only the first 100 to login on the day-of will gain access. The webinar will be recorded and available for playback to dues-paying NABJLA members. 

Panelists:

Stephanie Smith-Strickland is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and content strategist with a passion for music, fashion and lifestyle content. Her bylines include features for Highsnobiety, Vice, i-D, Complex, OkayAfrica, MTV and more. When she's not haphazardly trying to meet deadlines you can find her baking pastries and cakes. 

Mikelle Street is a Manhattan-based writer and editor. His work generally deals with queerness, Blackness, fashion, and subcultures, as well as the intersections therein. He is currently the Digital Director for Out Magazine. He previously served as the publication's Senior Editor across print and digital. Prior to this role he was a Style Editor at Maxim Magazine. Street's work has also appeared in The New York Times, Elle, Teen Vogue, Harper's, The Cut, Vice, GQ, Esquire, i-D, Allure, and many more. He is available for commission as a writer, speaker, moderator, panelist, and consultant.

NABJ-NAHJ August 2020 Virtual Convention Registration Now Open

Press release via NABJ

Registration for the first-ever NABJ-NAHJ Virtual Convention & Career Fair is now open!

Click here to register. Preregistration discounts end on July 6. 

The convention and career fair will be held August 5-8, 2020. The theme remains “Power of the Past, Force of the Future,” as it ties into the current landscape of not only the nation but the journalism industry.

Overall more than 100 companies and organizations will join the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), as the nation’s largest convention and career fair for journalists of color reconvenes in a state-of-the-art virtual environment. 

Highlighted virtual convention features include:

• More than 90 workshops, panels, forums, and training opportunities 

• A 3D career fair and exhibition hall featuring more than 70 companies armed with recruiters

• The option for attendees to meet recruiters and managers live via video, phone and chat in their booths

• The opportunity to build and share your professional profile and visual portfolio while also applying for job openings right at the virtual booths

• An opening ceremony and reception co-produced with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

• At least 5 networking/happy hour receptions 

• Three breakfast and luncheon events (the first 1,200 registrants will receive free meal delivery) 

• The annual NABJ Sports Task Force Scholarship Jam featuring a celebrity DJ

• The 2021 Houston Convention Kickoff party

• The Newsmaker Plenary on the U.S. Presidential Candidates

• The W.E.B. Du Bois Plenary powered by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

• Special sessions focusing on social justice, racism in America and COVID-19

• Exclusive movie screenings and upfronts

• The Innovation Bubble (featuring the latest from technology companies)

• The Authors Showcase (featuring new creative works hitting shelves)

• The Visual Task Force photo auction

• And a whole lot more (including the option to build your own virtual swag bag to take advantage of partner offerings and save important information as you experience the virtual environment)

Low-cost registration options have been made available to assist attendees as we navigate through the impact of COVID-19. Student rates begin at $90. Professional member rates begin at $190, and nonmember/public rates begin at $250. Members experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19 and other issues can apply for a hardship scholarship to attend the convention here.

Register now at NABJNAHJConvention.com

Media Contact: Press@NABJ.org

NABJLA Statement on #BlackAtLAT and the Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJLA) is greatly disturbed by recent revelations about the continued systemic racism experienced by Black reporters — past and present — at the city’s paper of record, the Los Angeles Times. We stand in solidarity with the Black reporters of the L.A. Times who have formed a Black Caucus within the L.A. Times Guild to express their discontent and demand accountability by the masthead. 

NABJLA is disheartened by the testimonials of Black former Los Angeles Times journalists recently released on social media under the hashtag #BlackAtLAT, many of whom are or were members of NABJLA.

While the Los Angeles Times has, over the last few years, been a supporter of our NABJLA scholarship program and chapter initiatives, that is not enough. The publication must undergo change in order to better serve the journalists within its newsroom as well as the broader community that yearns for a news media that is reflective of our culturally rich city, the broader Southern California region and beyond. In solidarity with the Black Caucus, we similarly demand the immediate hiring of more Black reporters, editors and visual journalists, particularly in the Metro section, as well as the correcting of alleged pay inequities.

Over the last couple of weeks, NABJLA has reached out on numerous occasions to offer resources and referrals to the Los Angeles Times' masthead to support its verbalized inclusion efforts. We have not yet received a response. Regardless, we continue to be a local resource to owner and executive chairman Patrick Soon-Shiong, executive editor Norman Pearlstine and the entire Los Angeles Times leadership. 

Media Contact:

nabjlaofficial@gmail.com

June 6: How They See Us | Black Male Media Project

Black men are under attack and need our voices. Join NABJ on June 6 at 2 p.m. ET for a virtual conversation: How They See Us.

This is an NABJ initiative designed to accurately reflect the contributions of Black males in the media, and promote networking, mentorship, and professional development of Black males working in the media.

This event is designed to take an honest look at how Black males are viewed in stories and within the newsrooms. It is a thought provoking conversation with Black men who have worked in and closely with the media and those exposed to the glaring light of media coverage. We explore how news shapes and reflects the way Black men are viewed and how to overcome obstacles presented when we understand How They See Us.

Click the button below to register for the Zoom webinar.

May 2020 | Black Men Reporting on Black Men

An open, honest discussion on the challenges of reporting in times like these (full video above)

NABJLA Vice President jarrett hill and a panel of Black male journalists from across the country discuss reporting on race in the midst of horrific crimes committed against Black men, as part of NABJ's national Black Male Media Project.

Panelists include Trymaine Lee (Correspondent, MSNBC’s Into America), Eugene Scott (Reporter, The Washington Post's The Fix), Jamil Smith (Senior Writer, Rolling Stone), and Ernie Suggs (Race Reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

PANELISTS

Eugene Scott joined the Washington Post’s The Fix in September 2017 to report on the politics of identity in the Trump era.

Eugene brings deep expertise and a creative approach to this important subject, as well as a range of skills that will accelerate The Fix’s evolution into a rich, engaging multi-media blog. He joined the Post from CNN Politics, where he covered the 2016 presidential election and was the senior reporter on the website’s breaking news team. He’s a regular on-air contributor, providing analysis on MSNBC, CBS and NPR.

Eugene receiving his Masters from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jamil Smith is a Senior Writer at Rolling Stone, where he covers national affairs and culture. Throughout his career as a journalist and Emmy Award-winning television producer, he has explored the intersection of politics and identity, specializing in reported analysis and commentary about United States politics, social justice, and cultural identity.

After covering the 2016 election as a Senior National Correspondent for MTV News, his political and cultural commentary appeared in several outlets, including The New York Times, Esquire, and Washington Post. Most recently, he was both a weekly columnist for Huffington Post and contributing opinion writer for the Los Angeles Times.

In addition, Jamil wrote the cover story for Time magazine’s February 19, 2018 issue about the film BLACK PANTHER and its cultural significance. Last fall, he profiled former NAACP president Ben Jealous for The New Republic—where he once served as a senior editor.

Jamil graduated from The University of Pennsylvania and currently resides in Los Angeles.

Ernie Suggs earned his B.A. degree in English Literature from North Carolina Central University in 1990, where he was the editor in chief and sports editor of The Campus Echo. Upon graduation, he was awarded an internship by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) to work for Gannett Newspapers. He returned to Durham, North Carolina in 1992, as a writer for The Herald-Sun.

In 1996, Suggs was awarded a fellowship by the Education Writers Association, which culminated in his award-winning, Pulitzer nominated series Fighting to Survive: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Face the 21st Century.

He was hired as a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1997. In 2005, Suggs became the vice-president of the NABJ. He was chosen for the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University in 2008, and in 2009, he joined the Nieman Foundation’s board. Suggs was given the Pioneer Black Journalist Award by NABJ in 2013.

Trymaine Lee is a Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Award-winning journalist. He is currently a correspondent for MSNBC. He covers social justice issues and the role of race, violence, politics and law enforcement in America. In 2020, Lee launched The Race Report, a special MSNBC series that explores the intersection between race and politics this election season. He also debuted Into America, a new podcast elevating the voices of voters and demonstrating how policy impacts the day-to-day lives of Americans. Lee was also among the contributors to the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project, which earned a 2020 George Polk Award for its exploration of the role of slavery in America and it’s enduring effects in contemporary American society.

Previously, Lee served as a reporter at The Huffington Post, where he is credited with helping elevate the shooting of Trayvon Martin to a national audience. Before that, he was at The New York Times, where his coverage of Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s sex scandal helped earn the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. He also earned a Pulitzer Prize as part of a team that covered Hurricane Katrina for The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Lee earned two National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Salute to Excellence Awards for Digital Media in 2015 for his MSNBC coverage of the protests in Ferguson, MO. He received a 2018 Emmy Award for Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis for his reporting on gun violence and trauma in Chicago as part of a series and hour-long special produced by MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes.