68th Annual Southern Regional Press Institute
February 28 - March 1, 2019
Diversity in Media: Grading the Media’s Efforts to be Inclusive of All Voices
*SSU Dept. of JMC Alumni
7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Future Media Professionals
Lobby / Ballrooms A & B / Student Union
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Opening Session
Ballrooms A & B / Student Union
Keynote Speaker: Award-winning and Emmy-nominated producer Natalie Bullock Brown
Skills Building and Professional Development Workshops
10:45 a.m. – Noon
Gender and Ethnic Diversity in Newswriting - Finding and Writing Compelling Stories
Whiting Hall, Room 125
Director: Professor Jessica Sparks, ONJ program coordinator, Department of JMC, SSU
Consultants: Mr. Jim Morekis, executive editor, Connect Savannah
Ms. Jenel Few, spokesperson, Savannah Fire Department
*Ms. Asha Gilbert, The Coastal Courier
10:45 a.m. - Noon
Digital Media Academy I
SCCPSS Workshop
(Intensive hands-on experience in broadcast and digital journalism, including how to use digital text, images, audio and video)
Whiting Hall, Room 129
Director: *Mr. Christopher Corinthian, mentoring director, SSU
Consultant: Ms. Patrice Nyatuame, LMS Administrator, SSU
10:45 a.m. - Noon
Diversity in Broadcast Newsrooms - Diversity Gradebook - The Professionals Experience
(Broadcasting Workshop)
Whiting Hall, Room 110A
Director: Assoc. Professor Reginald Franklin, Department of JMC, SSU
Consultants: Ms. Dawn Baker, anchor, WTOC-TV, Savannah
Ms. Kim Gusby, anchor, WSAV-TV, Savannah
Ms. Tarsha Bush, producer, WSAV-TV, Savannah
10:45 a.m. - Noon
The Arena of Public Relations - Diversity Gradebook - Avenues that offer the best opportunities
Whiting Hall, Room 134
Director: *Ms. Serena Garcia, communications specialist, Delta IT
Consultants: *Ms. Freda Hendley, president, Freetime Consulting, Xposure Consulting
*Ms. LeAndrea Mikell, program and marketing coordinator, World Trade Center, Savannah
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Lunch / On Your Own
Skills Building and Professional Development Workshops (continued)
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Return of the Drones
(Aerial Drone Workshop)
Meet in the back of the Whiting Hall, Near the Asa H. Gordon Library.
Whiting Hall Room, 129
Director: Visiting Professor Tracy Haynes, Department of JMC, SSU
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Film Industry - Diversity Gradebook - and How to be Prepared
(Film Workshop)
Whiting Hall, Room 110A
Director: *Mr. William Martin, Director of Programming, WTRT-TV, SSU
Consultants: Mr. John Grace, instructor, Georgia Film Academy, Savannah Technical College
Ms. Beth Nelson, executive director, Savannah Area Film Office
*Mr. Kareem McMichael, online content manager, Department of JMC, SSU
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Sports Public Relations - Diversity Gradebook - Changing Gender and Ethnic Roles
(Public Relations Workshop)
Whiting Hall, Room 125
Director: Mr. Opio Mashariki, Athletic Director, SSU
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Editorial Cartooning
Whiting Hall, Room 124
Director: Mr. Mark Streeter, editorial cartoonist, Savannah Morning News
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Race and Gender Diversity in Media - Challenges and Accomplishments
(Panel Discussion)
Whiting Hall, Room 123
Director: Dr. John English, professor emeritus, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, UGA
Consultants: Ms. Wanda S. Lloyd, former executive editor, Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser
Ms. Susan Catron, executive editor, Savannah Morning News
Ms. Margaret Williams, City of Savannah
Mr. Frank Mendelson, V.P., client relations & content strategy, Priworks.com
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Social Media Politics - Navigating Fact and Fiction
Whiting Hall, Room 134
Director: Dr. Lisa Paulin, associate professor, North Carolina Central University
Consultants: Prof. Jessica Sparks, Department of JMC, SSU
Dr. B. Lemnyoi Bongang, Professor, JMC/Political Science, SSU
Mr. Adam Crisp, Director of Student Media, SCAD
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Resume Clinic: The Essentials of a Winning Professional Resume
Whiting Hall, Room 123
Director: Mr. Frank Mendelson, V.P., client relations & content strategy, Priworks.com
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mass Media Entrepreneurship: Diversity in Action
Meet graduates who started their own media companies
Whiting Hall, Room 134
Director: *Kaytrina Curtis, public affairs officer, Winn Army Community Hospital, Ft. Stewart
Consultants: *Mr. William Martin, president, Serious Ways Multimedia
*Mr. Kareem McMichael, president, KARMAC Productions
*Mr. Shantez Herrington, president, Film is Life Productions
*Ms. Weslyn Bowers, founder, Blessings in a Book Bag, Inc.
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The SRPI Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Reception
Social Science Building Room 115
Friday, March 1, 2019
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The Radio Industry - Diversity Gradebook - Theories and Practice
Whiting Hall, Room 125
Director: Ms. Grace Curry, Director, WHCJ-FM, SSU Radio
Consultants: *Mr. Kenya Cabine, former Savannah Radio personality
*Mr. William Martin, director of programming, WTRT-TV, SSU
*Ms. Mia Mance, on-air personality, G100 Radio
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Digital Media Academy II
SCCPSS Workshop
(Intensive hands-on experience in broadcast and digital journalism, including how to use digital text, images, audio and video)
Whiting Hall, Room 129
Director: Ms. Patrice Nyatuame, LMS Administrator, Savannah State University
Consultant: *Mr. Christopher Corinthian, mentoring director, Savannah State University
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The Entertainment Industry - Diversity Gradebook - Getting In on the Ground Floor
Whiting Hall Room 110A
Director: Mr. Michael Trammel, president, Hierarchy Pictures Music Group (HPMG), Former music executive BMG/Sony, EMI, UMG
Consultants: *Ms. Tracy Adams, executive vice president, promotions - Epic Records
*Ms. Tatia Adams Fox, vice president for global partnerships - Nickelodeon
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The Multimedia Landscape- Merging Platforms and Accessible Technologies
Whiting Hall, Room 123
Director: *Mr. Kareem McMichael, online content manager, JMC Department, SSU
Consultants: Mr. Litus Marshall, senior data manager, SSU
Mr. Tracy Haynes, visiting professor, JMC Department, SSU
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Careers in Photography
(Photography Workshop)
Whiting Hall, Room 124
Director: Jason M. Johnson, JMC Department, SSU photographer
Consultant: Stephen Morton, freelance photographer
Milledge-Owens Awards Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
King-Frazier Student Center Ballroom
Keynote Speaker: Tatia Adams Fox