communication, media, diversity, panel, journalism
February 18, 2020
Oakland University will host a “Diversity in Detroit Media” panel discussion event at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 16 at the Oakland Center, Founders Ballroom B.
The event is open to the public and free of charge, but RSVP’s are required.
Media members on the panel include Chuck Stokes, editorial/public affairs director for WXYZ-TV/Channel 7, Dorothy Hernandez, Model D’s managing editor and associate editorial director of Issue Media Group, and Joey Namou, on-air personality with Mojo in the Morning & Channel 955 in Detroit and at 1045SNX in Grand Rapids.
“Much of our media industry pays lip service to diversity, but we want to really consider what it means to be inclusive, and get inside opinions on what’s changing, what works, and what the future could look like,” said OU visiting assistant professor Kate Roff, who is part of the organizing committee.
Stokes also serves as moderator and producer of Spotlight on the News, Michigan’s longest-running weekly news and public affairs show. He said, “Given America’s increasing diversity and the powerful influence the media industry has on our lives, I can’t think of a more important discussion to have in 2020.”
Prior to her current role, Hernandez was a journalism fellow with Feet in Two Worlds and WDET. She was managing editor at Hour Detroit magazine and has contributed to NPR, Thrillist, Eater and a variety of other news publications.
Namou, an Oakland University alum said, “I am honored to be returning to OU to share my industry knowledge with fellow Golden Grizzlies.”
The Department of Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations in Oakland University’s College of Arts and Sciences is hosting the event with support from the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity, as well as the metro Detroit online media platform Metromode.