Mentor Program 2014-2015 Session

"

"

A Letter From Our President""

It needed to be done. So we're doing it!""The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists is thrilled to launch our BABJ Mentor Program Fall 2014.""Mentors matter!""At a time when newsroom diversity is taking a backseat to dwindling budgets, BABJ wants to do our part to ensure Baltimore area journalism and public relations students of color have the necessary skills to compete for internships and job opportunities.""We have ten impressive Baltimore area journalists and public relations professionals ready to help students starting out on their academic and career journey. We'll offer a career road map incorporating: news clips, demo reels, interviewing, suggested reading, online resources, multimedia journalism and social media engagement.""BABJ is reaching out to Morgan State University and Bowie State University for our inaugural class. Our members selected these Maryland institutions because of their proximity to Baltimore and status as prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This academic year will help us decide how we can possibly grow and extend the program to additional local colleges.""We’re excited to get the ball rolling. Again, it needed to be done. So we're doing it!"

NICKIMAYO Multimedia Journalist

Best Regards,

MARIAROBERTS Creative Director, Written Word Communications BABJ Mentor Program Chair

Why Mentoring? Why BABJ? Why Now?!"

The answer is quite simple…"It needed to be done.!

"For the aspiring journalist or media professional committed to growing and developing learning from those who are actually out there, what better way to develop than with some of the best professionals spanning across various industries to include journalism, public and media relations have to offer is a chance that should not be wasted nor taken lightly, and the seasoned professionals whom, despite business, professional and personal obligations, decided that they collectively wanted to move their respective industries forward by giving back with their expertise to help the next wave of global communicators enter into a complex world, where information and the dissemination of it, still prove powerful. ""To our wonderful mentors, my gratitude for your involvement to this program is without bounds. Your commitment will not be in vain.""That said, we are prepared and ready. We realize the only way to consummate our mission to move forward is to actually do so. !"! ! In Service,!

ABOUTBABJ The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists is an organization consisting of print, broadcast and public relations professionals and students who work in media in metropolitan Baltimore."BABJ encourages African American media professionals to: educate young individuals interested working in media, expand and balance the media’s coverage of the African American community, aid in professional development, and maintain a presence of African American media professionals in the workplace."BABJ’s purpose is to promote the union of African Americans in media. BABJ is dedicated to truth and excellence in the news and full equality in the industry."Working journalists, including writers, reporters, editors, producers, technicians, photographers, newsroom managers, artists and public relations professionals who produce, gather, disseminate and distribute news and information, who work for newspapers, television stations, satellite services, radio stations, and networks, cable television services, magazines, computer-based information services, wire services, and other media entities, and full-time freelance journalists are welcome to join.

ABOUTOURMENTORSOur mentors have amassed almost 100 years of combined

professional expertise within journalism, public relations and various media-related professions. They come to this process equipped with

wisdom and experience that will no doubt present the realities of navigating the world of media to your students.

JOHN-JOHNWILLIAMS Style Reporter The Baltimore Sun "John-John Williams IV has worked for The Baltimore Sun since 2005. He joined the paper as an education reporter covering everything from cheating scandals to inappropriate teachers. He then switched gears when he joined the features desk, where he has covered fashion and pop culture for the past three years. Prior to The Baltimore Sun, he worked as a reporter at The Times-Picayune and The Argus Leader. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., he has worked in daily newspapers since high school. During college he interned at The Post Standard, The Detroit Free Press, and The Chicago Tribune. In addition, he worked for Knight-Ridder newspapers during college covering the 2000 presidential election.

ANNETTEFISHER Senior Director, Marketing and Communications American Heart Association

"Annette Fisher is the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Heart Association’s Maryland region. Since 1995, she has successfully worked in all facets of communications including Public Relations for Baltimore’s City government and a national real estate firm. Prior to her Public Relations stint, Annette was a TV news producer for Baltimore’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV where her shows were consistently number one in ratings. In addition, she worked as a freelance reporter for the Baltimore Sun’s special sections and a contributing writer for the Baltimore Business Journal. Annette Fisher earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Notre Dame in Maryland and holds an MBA in Medical Management from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. During her spare time, Annette lends her talents as a board member building homes with Sandtown Habitat for Humanity, Johns Hopkins Center to Eliminate Cardiovascular Disparities Community Health and Baltimore County’s Education Foundation. She loves to travel, photography and fitness.

BENETWILSON Social Media/Newsletter Editor Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Benét J. Wilson is the social media/newsletters editor for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. She is an aviation/travel freelance journalist, serving as the Air Travel Expert for About.com. She has also written for publications and blogs including Cranky Flier, ACI-NA Centerlines, Aviation International News, Airport World and the Airline Passenger Experience magazine. She also blogs at AviationQueen.com on aviation and travel topics. She is an Air Force brat and is working on her private pilot's certificate. She resides in Baltimore, Md."Wilson is a board member of the Online News Association, where she serves on the student, international and membership committees. She is chair of ONA’s 2014 AP-Google Journalism and Technology Scholarship Program, created to target students creating innovative projects that further the ideals of digital journalism. She is also chair of the Diversity Committee and is the board liaison for the 2014 convention and program committees."Wilson served as chair of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Program Committee from 2011 to 2013, which oversees workshops for the organization’s annual convention. She is also the immediate past chair of NABJ’s Digital Journalism Task Force, which keeps members informed about the latest tools, trends and technology in the online space. She is lead writer for DJTF’s NABJDigital blog, created and oversees the @NABJDigital Twitter account and oversees the task force’s Facebook page."Wilson has created and participated in workshops and webinars on digital journalism, branding and social media. She speaks at journalism, new media and aviation conferences. She has worked in communications and public relations for two airlines and an aircraft engine manufacturer. She is an Air Force brat and is working on her private pilot's certificate. She resides in Baltimore, Maryland.

ANDREAWALKER Business & Health Reporter The Baltimore Sun

NAKEISHATURNER Social Media and Community Manager Maryland MVA Highway Safety Office

"Andrea Walker is a business reporter covering health, retail and manufacturing for the Baltimore Sun. She also contributes to the Consuming Interests and Picture of Health blogs. The native Virginian moved a lot as a kid before attending University of Maryland and working at The Charlotte Observer newspaper. Andrea came to Baltimore ten years ago. In her free time, Andrea enjoys running, yoga, food, traveling, reading, reality tv, movies, spending time with friends and family."

Nakeisha Turner is the Social Media and Community Manager at the Maryland MVA’s Highway Safety Office. In her current role, she serves as the content developer and strategist for the MHSO's social media presence in addition to serving as a consultant to partner agencies and organizations of the Maryland Highway Safety Office.""Nakeisha has been involved with marketing in various industries since graduating from She Fisk University with a degree in Business Administration in 2007. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Digital Communication from the University of Baltimore and has plans to open her own integrated communications firm in 2015.""

Krishana Davis is a reporter with the Baltimore Sun Media Group covering education in Carroll County."Born and raised in Baltimore, Krishana uses media to ensure global citizens are fully informed and break common misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices. Krishana has penned articles for the Baltimore Magazine, b the site, Urbanite Magazine, Clutch Magazine and the AFRO-American Newspaper, to name a few."Krishana received her bachelors degree in political science with a minor in journalism from Morgan State University in Baltimore."Working as a young philanthropist, Krishana has partnered with Capital Cause's Giving Circles Project to raise capital for various service projects and non-profits. Women's issues naturally hit-home for Krishana and she works as an outreach coordinator for the Baltimore Heel-a-thon, an organization which raises awareness for human trafficking in the Baltimore area. Krishana mentors and volunteers with the American Dream Academy at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School."A Chips Quinn Scholar (Summer 2012), Krishana was also selected for the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, where she was able to immerse herself in the rich culture of New Orleans by completing a project on street fashion in the “Big Easy” while reporting on local businesses and the city’s rich culture post Hurricane Katrina."When she doesn’t have her pen to the pad, Krishana can be found shifting through bins at her local thrift shop.

KRISHANADAVIS Carroll County Reporter The Baltimore Sun

BARRYSIMMS Anchor & Investigative Reporter WBAL-TV

"Which news anchor and reporter is known for his interest in singing? Barry Simms not only uses his vocal cords to bring Baltimore the news, but he can carry a tune."Barry's career began as a weekend anchor and reporter at WREX-TV in Rockford, Ill., with moves to KTBS-TV in Shreveport, La., and KXAS-TV in Dallas."He currently serves as a general assignment reporter and a member of the WBAL-TV 11 News I-Team."Barry has been recognized for his reporting by the Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcaster's Association, the Maryland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Louisiana Associated Press and the Tri-State United Press International."Barry is also a past president of the Association of Black Media Workers, the former Baltimore Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists."He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee."In his free time, Barry enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids."

KARENCAMPBELL Freelance Reporter WBAL-TV "

"Karen Campbell is a freelance reporter for WBAL-TV, an NBC-affiliate in Baltimore, Md. Before coming to WBAL, she spent nearly two years at WBOC-TV, a CBS/FOX affiliate on Delmarva. She began her career at WBOC as the Dover bureau reporter, filing daily stories (sometimes two pkg's a day) on deadline. Shortly after, she was promoted to weekend evening anchor. "Prior to WBOC, Karen was the weekend evening anchor and producer for WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Karen has served as a producer/fill-in anchor for the 6 and 11 p.m.weekday newscasts. She was recognized for her work at WHSV, and received the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award. "Before joining WHSV-TV in August 2010, Karen worked as a reporter for CTV News in Largo, Maryland. While there, she developed daily packages while managing to co-anchor a live daily newscast. She also produced evening newscasts.Outside of reporting the news, she hosted a 30-minute talk show called, 'A Different Look,' focusing on education, health, politics and other community issues. "Karen began her career as a print reporter at Public Opinion newspaper in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. She won a Keystone Press Award for team coverage on high school athletes and concussions.

PETEO’NEAL Photographer WMAR-TV

"Pete O’Neal is a veteran news photographer and has been in the television business for over thirty years. In those thirty years he has worked with noted film directors, Barry Levinson and Bruce Paltrow. He is a multiple Emmy award winning cameraman, producer and an Emmy nominated director. In his job as cameraman he has been to many places around the world. Here in Baltimore Pete is known for his coverage of breaking news and has earned the nickname, “Pete On The Street”."In 1993 it was estimated that he had covered over 1,800 homicides when his mother was murdered in East Baltimore. That day changed his life forever. Since then Pete and his wife Beverly have been on a mission to help their community in any way they can. They created a children’s television show called “It’s Kindertime” which ran on WMAR-TV every week for six years. They created the “It’s Kindertime Toy Drive” as an outgrowth of the television show. The toy drive is in its fifteenth year and has given out over 800,000 toys to needy, sick and homeless children in Maryland."“All The Kings Horses” The Story of Gwynn Oak Amusement Park is a project that Pete and Bev created to emphasize the fact that in Baltimore people of different faiths, races and economic backgrounds came together to fight for the common goal of ending segregation.

ANGELABYRD Founder & CEO PerCept Image Consulting Group, Inc. "

Angela Byrd is a seasoned communications executive, and Founder and CEO of PerCept Image Consulting Group - PICG Inc., a full-service public relations firm based in Baltimore, Maryland. Angela performs the duties of a publicist for clients including Author, Dr. Teresa Fuller, Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation, Brothers Who Can Cook (an annual event featuring national & local celebrity chefs), and several local celebrities. She was responsible for bringing local press coverage to HBO Network’s The Weight of the Nation Press Conference, held at a Baltimore City public school (Calvin Rodwell Elementary) in May 2012. In addition to her PR assignments, she performs branding and Angela brings over 20 years of professional experience in the areas of marketing communications, market research, television news production, public affairs, strategic planning, and business management. "Working for more than 20 years in the corporate scene for companies including CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland, T. Rowe Price and Associates, Lucent Technologies, WBAL-TV, and Constellation Energy (Baltimore Gas & Electric), she found it rewarding, challenging, and lucrative but ultimately unfulfilling. Inspired to leverage her talents and knowledge of communications and image consulting to help influence others on how to showcase the best of their talents and shine, she left the corporate scene in 2011 to start her own public relations company."In 2011 she co-founded, along with former Baltimore Oriole Michael Young, FLONation Foundation. FLONation Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to help combat the growing epidemic of childhood and adult obesity, especially in at-risk communities across the United States. The organization made efforts to launch several initiatives in Baltimore and California."A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she holds a BA in Mass Communications, specializing in broadcast journalism from Towson University, studied Publicity and PR from Johns Hopkins University, and is completing a MBA, specializing in marketing management from the University of Maryland.

CONTACTUS ""

PHONE 410-870-5996"

EMAIL babjmd [at] gmail [dot] com"

MAILING ADDRESS Baltimore Association of Black Journalists

c/o Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communications

New Communications Building1700 E. Cold Spring Lane

Baltimore, Maryland 21251""""""""@BABJ_MD"""""

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BABJmd/""""