Chuck D. headlines Grassroots Media Convention

Chuck D. headlines Grassroots Media ConventionMarch 28, 2006SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

Chuck D., founder of the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy, will be the keynote speaker at the Grassroots Media Convention, hosted by the Black Voice, a student publication, and the Association of Black Journalists (ABJ), a pre-professional society. The three-day event will kick off with the address at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 31 in Schine Underground.

Chuck D. replaces former Essence magazine editor Asha Bendele, who withdrew due to scheduling conflicts.

Chuck D. is one of the most recognizable figures in the history of hip-hop, and one of its most respected intellectuals. Public Enemy helped redefine hip-hop as music with a message, and their strident radicalism drew attention from the media and government alike.

“Public Enemy epitomizes the essence of grassroots, and has practiced freedom of speech in an effort to elevate our communities,” says Elise Fogle-Myers, president of ABJ. “Who better than Chuck D. to kick off an event dedicated to shedding light on ways the media can be more responsible in serving their audience?”

Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2, will consist of a series of workshops in auditorium A1 in Newhouse I. Topics will include newsroom politics, independent radio, guerrilla marketing and advertising and imagery in media. Scheduled to speak are Karl Carter, whose marketing agency GTM created the anti-smoking Truth campaign, and photographer Ernie Panicolli, among others.

“The purpose of the convention is to promote free and impartial media that is accountable to its audience and uplifting for all of humanity,” says Allen Frimpong, editor-in-chief of the Black Voice. “Media is essential to true democracy because the public relies on media to make informed decisions; therefore, we want media that does not corrupt its audience or manipulate its people through information distortion.”

The Grassroots Media Convention is free and open to the public. For more information, contact ABJ special projects co-director Rob Smith at syrabj@hotmail.com.

Schedule of events:

Friday, March 31

3:30-5:30 p.m.–Convention opening and reception: Keynote Speaker Chuck D. Schine Underground

5:30-10 p.m.–African Film Festival with the African Students UnionHall of Languages Room 207 (films to be announced)

Saturday, April 1 (Newhouse A1)

12-1 p.m.–The FCC, Real Freedom of Speech: Accountability & Responsibility.Speaker: Nicole Edwards ’05

1:15-2:15 p.m.–Real Newsroom Politics: Part 1Speaker: BlackCommentator.com’s Glenn Ford

2:15-3 p.m.–BREAK (Career/Resume Opportunities in Alternative Media)

3:15-4:15 p.m.–Independent Radio: What is necessary to hear on our airwaves?Mumia Abu-Jamal Prison Radio–Facilitators: Tyrell Burke and Syracuse Peace Council

4:30-5:30 p.m.–Guerilla Marketing Tactics and AdvertisingPanelists: Kyante Young of Young and Doin’it Magazine and Karl Carter of GTM.

5:45-6:45 p.m.–The New Wave of Urban MediaPanelists: and Kyante Young, Karl Carter and representatives from The Ave Magazine, BLOW! Magazine, Street Buzz TV and U.N.I.T.Y Radio

Sunday, April 2 (Newhouse A1)

12-1 p.m.–Imagery in Media LecturePresented by Photographer Ernie Panicolli

1-2 p.m.–Panel Discussion: Imagery in Media, Deconstructing the Stereotypes.Speakers: Panicolli, Jeff Magrum, Richard Dubin, Nikki G. Bannister, Latoya Fraizer and Keith Alfred

2-2:45 p.m. BREAK

3-4 p.m.–Real Newsroom Politics: Part 2Presented by Araceli Jacobs

4:15-5:15 p.m.–New Orleans Aftermath: Corporate vs. Alternative MediaPresented by Nikki G. Bannister

5:30-6:30 p.m.–An Informational on Writer Boris Bouboucar DiopPresented by Greg Thomas