Touching Base

Hello World:
I am really experiencing my mid-life reflection. It isn't a crisis as long as Christ-IS! I've been saying that for nearly a year now. It really is a meaningful phrase to be stored in the heart. It's funny how people want to borrow your ideas. Several people have said, I love that saying, I"ll use it. Well, how about compensating me when you do. The point is, I've given away so many ideas and opportunities. Now, it's time for me to step up to the plate because I am competent and I don't need anyone else to tell me that I'm not. That's the beauty of approaching the age of 40. I now have wisdom with experience. I'm a Vanderbilt educated, Harvard trained, emmy award winning, multimedia maven, journalist and educator. With nearly twenty years of professional experience and three earned degrees, one from one of the most prestigious universities in the country, I am worthy of the respect that I've earned and that I receive. Don't waste your life waiting for approval, validate yourself and move on. Read Barbara Stanny's book, The Secrets of Six Figure Women and be encouraged and empowered. Have a Blessed Easter!

Facilitating Change: Lessons from the Battlefield

It is clear that there is a dire need for multimedia thinking and strategy. The more seminars that I present, the more convinced I am. Here are the some reflections from participants. To book seminars, just e-mail me at bennetts@mail.belmont.edu.

Leadership Nasvhille Government & Media Day

As a member of the Leadership Nashville class of 2006, it was an honor to help with

Government and Media Day for the class of 2008.

Pictured from left to right, David Ewing, Dr. Syb, FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate and

Leadership Nashville Executive Director, Jerry Williams.

November, 2007

What an awesome opportunity!!! This weekend I sat on a panel with not one, not two, but three Vice Presidents!! It was an honor and a joy to contribute to the conversation on minority media ownership. In addition, I was in the audience to listen to Robert (Bob) Johnson former owner of BET and the President of the RLJ Corporation. There wasn't a chance to ask him more pointed questions so I asked him a new media one.

"For people who like to do it, it is a fascinating way of communicating." Blogs are not the be all and end all, but like Mr. Johnson notes, they are yet another way to extend your message.

MSNBC VP/Editor of News, Jennifer Sizemore at Belmont

Alright, I admit it. I am worse than a kid with a new toy. I am going to enjoy this moment until the latest technology replaces it. As the creator and facilitator of the New Century Journalism Speaker's Series, I am excited to say that MSNBC/NBC News executive Jennifer Sizemore made an excellent presentation about fads and trends with respect to journalism, the media business and technology before a standing room only crowd. Here's a clip as she responds to an audience member's question about reaching the audience via your website's home page.

I decided to use the nostalgic movie making tool to show you how many people attended the event.

Presenting at Kellogg School at Northwestern University

I am out and about once again, this time I am on an entertainment and media panel at Northwestern University. It is an exciting opportunity. Of course, I'll have my Flip camera with me so I'll post some video as soon as I can.
Here's the link for more information about the conference and it's participants which include Dr. Cornel West and BET founder, Bob Johnson.

http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/bmaconference/

Creating a Voice: Impact of Minority Owned and Themed Media Properties on the Industry Bottom Line
Moderator: Gerri Henderson, Associate Professor of Integrated Marketing Communication at Northwestern University’s Medill School
Panelists:
Dr. Sybril Bennett, Executive Director/Associate Professor, New Century Journalism Program
Bryan Monroe, Editorial Director, Johnson Publications (Ebony, Jet)
Marcellus Alexander, President, National Association of Broadcasters
Payne Brown, Vice-President of Strategic Initiatives, Comcast Corporation
Minority-owned businesses overall tend to receive profits that are lower than their counterparts. This panel will focus on the opportunities and challenges associated with minority-owned and themed media properties. In what aspects of the media industry are minorities seeing the most growth and the most resistance? Where do our panelists see the industry going in the next five to ten years? Are minority owned media properties positioned to be successful as the industry shifts into a new direction?

Associated Press Reporter, Regina Burns, Senior Correspondent for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Gwen Ifill and I at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Las Vegas in August, 2007.

Here's a clip after my presentation at the Center for Innovation in College Media multimedia student workshop. I am LOVING this Flip Camera!!!! John Thompson who is featured in this clip is the General Manager of i-Comm Student Media at Brigham Young University Idaho. He was sharing his thoughts on his student's need for multimedia integration.

As promised to my students at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Nashville, Tennessee. Technology is really easy. Thanks for the encouragement, Jeff Jarvis, http://www.buzzmachine.com/.

Hey, I am at the Center for Non Profit Management in Nashville presenting a multimedia session to leaders in the area. I'll have video later. Hold me to it.

What a wonderful opportunity for Belmont students to meet Katie Couric. Thanks to Belmont alum, Joe Woolley who worked on the foreign desk at CBS News upon graduation.