With an amazing opportunity, P.O.C., the Founder and Host of Revive Radio + Media, has been invited by the Public Media Journalists Association (PMJA) to participate in their annual conference at NPR Headquarters in Washington, DC. This meaningful honor highlights P.O.C.’s impactful contributions to media and offers a platform to showcase the transformative work of Revive Radio + Media and WHYY’s N.I.C.E.
Key Highlights:
June 6th at 8:45 AM
Kickoff: Welcome from NPR’s Katherine Maher & Innovation Quick Talks
The conference will launch with an engaging session with Innovation Quick Talks. P.O.C. will be featured alongside NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher and Moderator Priska Neely, Managing Editor at Gulf States Newsroom WBHM. This year’s theme, “Local News, Strong Democracy,” will be explored through talks designed to showcase innovative methods for enhancing audience engagement. P.O.C. will present a story from REVIVE Media, focusing on ballot questions and empowering community voices through voting. This session aims to ignite discussions that will resonate throughout the entire conference.
June 6th at 4:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Paving Grassroots – The Reporter’s Lens On Community Narratives
In the afternoon, P.O.C. will lead an interactive panel titled “Paving Grassroots: The Reporter’s Lens On Community Narratives.” This session will form leading journalists and professionals to discuss the key role of partnerships with grassroots media makers, non-traditional journalists, and community voices in strengthening local news ecosystems. The panel seeks to encourage a more inclusive media landscape by building the capacity of hyperlocal news outlets and creating connections with established news organizations.
Panelists Include:
- Eugene Sonn, Director of Collaborations, Resolve Philadelphia
- Christopher Norris, Chief Strategy Officer, StoryCorps
- Diana Lu, Senior Program Officer, Journalism & Media, MacArthur Foundation
- Meg McGuire, Founder/Publisher, Delaware Currents
Detailed Overview:
The Conference Theme: Local News, Strong Democracy
This year’s PMJA conference theme underscores the integral role of local journalism in maintaining a strong democracy. As traditional media faces numerous challenges, innovative approaches and grassroots collaborations have become essential in ensuring community narratives are heard and valued. P.O.C.’s involvement as an Innovation Quick Talk Presenter and Panel Moderator highlights her commitment to these crucial dialogues.
Innovation Quick Talks: Inspiring New Approaches
The Innovation Quick Talks will serve as a dynamic kickoff to the conference, featuring diverse speakers who will share their innovative strategies for engaging audiences. P.O.C. will highlight a significant story from REVIVE Media, which emphasizes the importance of understanding ballot questions and the impact of voting. This presentation is about sharing information and motivating journalists and media professionals to think creatively about how they can involve their communities in the democratic process.
Panel Discussion: Elevating Grassroots Voices
The “Paving Grassroots” panel will discuss the importance of co-reporting with grassroots media to amplify community voices. It will also explore how local and hyperlocal news outlets can benefit from partnerships with grassroots media makers and non-traditional journalists. By building these relationships, news organizations can better serve their communities and ensure that diverse voices are represented.
Spotlight on Panelists:
- Eugene Sonn, Director of Collaborations at Resolve Philadelphia, will share insights on collaborative journalism initiatives that enhance community storytelling.
- Christopher Norris, Chief Strategy Officer at StoryCorps, will discuss capturing and sharing personal narratives to build stronger communities.
- Diana Lu, Senior Program Officer in Journalism & Media at the MacArthur Foundation, will provide perspectives on funding opportunities and support for innovative journalism projects.
- Meg McGuire, Founder and Publisher of Delaware Currents, will discuss the challenges and successes of running a hyperlocal news outlet and the role of grassroots reporting in community engagement.
Anticipated Outcomes:
Strengthening Community Engagement
One of the primary goals of these sessions is to provide attendees with actionable strategies for improving community engagement. By incorporating insights from public and grassroots media, participants will leave with a better understanding of how to engage their audiences more effectively, particularly in marginalized communities that often feel overlooked by mainstream media.
Encouraging Collaboration
The conference strives to promote a spirit of collaboration among journalists, media professionals, and grassroots organizations. By building bridges between different media types, the hope is to create a stronger and more inclusive media ecosystem that can better serve the needs of all communities.
Empowering Local Voices
Empowering local voices is at the heart of P.O.C.’s work with Revive Radio + Media. Through her participation in this conference, she aspires to inspire other journalists to prioritize community narratives and use their platforms to uplift often marginalized voices.
Stay Connected:
For recaps, highlights, and further information, visit REVIVEISALIVE.COM. Follow REVIVE Radio + Media for live updates across all social platforms @revive_poc. Don’t forget to subscribe to REVIVE’s newsletter and YouTube channel to stay informed about the latest news and updates!
