KPRC 2 and Texas Southern University celebrate Black History

 KPRC 2 partners with Texas Southern University throughout the month of February 2021, when TSU students will curate the station’s Instagram and other social media accounts with a celebration of Houston Black history.

 As part of KPRC 2’s decades-long mission of diversity and inclusion – and its ongoing commitment to spotlighting the triumphs, struggles and opinions of our city’s diverse communities -- students from TSU’s School of Communications and members of @KTSU_2 “The Voice” online team will provide 28 days of content for the @kprc2 Instagram account, and other station digital platforms, focusing on their personal visions of Houston Black history.

“I’m excited to be a part of a project that celebrates Houston’s Black history,” says Texas Southern University School of Communications Interim Assistant Dean Serbino Sandifer-Walker.  “It’s a groundbreaking initiative that will shine a light on ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things.  A unique thing about this project is Texas Southern University students are telling the stories. I applaud KPRC 2 for taking an innovative approach to telling stories that matter in our community.” 

Texas Southern students will research and produce exclusive, original content including photography and writing, supervised by their School of Communications professors and the KPRC 2 digital team.  Additional media including TSU student information along with social posts will be found at click2houston.com/blackhistory.

In addition, KPRC 2 will continue to celebrate and spotlight people in and around the Greater Houston area from all different backgrounds who are making a difference in our community through its ongoing “Voices of Houston” initiative.

“We welcome this partnership with TSU’s Assistant Dean Sandifer-Walker and the School of Communications students and look forward to sharing their visions of what Houston Black history means to them,” said KPRC 2 Vice President/General Manager Jerry Martin.  “KPRC 2 will continue to strive to give voice to people from all walks of life and the unsung heroes who make us proud to call this city home.”

(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by KPRC)

TSU students tell stories of Black History on KPRC

Texas Southern University School of Communication student journalists told the under-told stories of Houston's Black community on KPRC2 and KTSU2 in February.   

This groundbreaking project is being led by SOC's assistant dean Serbino Sandifer-Walker and KPRC2's director of digital enterprise content Dawn Campbell.  SOC Professor Art Murray and KPRC2's digital team are also helping to supervise the students. 

Five student journalists from the KTSU2 digital team have reported, wrote, filmed, and edited the stories.  They aired on KPRC2's noon broadcast throughout February and were showcased on the NBC affiliate's website and social media platforms.  

The students are Bradley Clark, Mario Dunham, Zoria Goodley, Karina Hollingsworth, and Amber Land. 

Clark's story focused on Houston's hip-hop scene and the 50th anniversary of the genre.  Karina Hollingsworth followed the path of a Houston outdoorsman working to change his industry one person at a time.  Mario Dunham tells the story of Houston's first Black ski club, which was founded in 1982.  Zoria Goodley speaks to new generations on the impact of the 60s sit-in movement, which  TSU students led.  And, Amber Land tells a never-told story of TSU's iconic African Queen Mother sculpture anchored in the majestic fountain outside of the MLK building. 

This is the first project in the nation where student journalists take over the coverage of Black History Month for a network-affiliated station.  

"This is a wonderful project that shines a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things in our community," Sandifer-Walker said.  "I applaud KPRC2, the students, and the community for being a part of an iconic project that gives insight into Houston's Black community's trials and triumphs." 

The full list of stories is below, including links.  

Donnie Houston is the MC of H-Town’s hip-hop history By Bradley Clark 

Father inspired by childhood fishing memories works to promote inclusion on the water By Karina Hollingsworth 

Ski Jammers is Texas’ first predominately Black ski By Mario Dunham

Texas Southern University students’ heroic role in ending segregation remembered By Zoria Goodley 

African Queen Mother: The history of an iconic sculpture on TSU's campus by Amber Land

(This post was taken from a TSU press release)

Black-ish star Anthony Anderson featured at The Houston Association of Black Journalists event

Emmy-Nominated Actor Anthony Anderson to Keynote “The Real Role Models” Gala - Fundraiser Event Hosted by The William A. Lawson Institute for Peace & Prosperity and The Houston Association of Black Journalists

The William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP) and the Houston Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) present, "The Real Role Models" Gala, honoring community leaders, students and media professionals on October 24th at 6:00 pm at the Royal Sonesta Hotel (2222 West Loop S., Houston, TX 77027).

This year’s keynote address will be given by Emmy-nominated actor Anthony Anderson of ABC’s hit sitcom ‘black-ish. Anderson will share on the dynamics of his career in the film industry, while speaking on the need for more young black professionals in the media field.

“We are excited to have Anthony Anderson as our keynote speaker this year. His story is an inspiring one, and most certainly fits the theme of a Real Role Model – he had them in his parents and he has become an impactful one through his journey from Compton to Hollywood star,” says Jerome Solomon, HABJ President. HABJ is raising scholarship funds to assist aspiring journalists.

HABJ’s partnership with WALIPP emphasizes the importance of education for young people in secondary schools as well as college-bound journalists. WALIPP is proud to be honoring H-E-B and its president, Scott McClelland for their continuing support and commitment in the field of education. Mr. McClelland is a corporate role model of philanthropy and service to the community.

“Investing in the future demands that we invest in the scholarship of students across all ages, not just accepting the status quo but requiring more today than yesterday” says Rev. William A. Lawson, Founder of WALIPP and proud parent of one of the city’s most well-respected journalists.

The evening aims to reflect positive role models in multiple areas, celebrating journalists, non-profit leaders and scholarships. WALIPP’s mission to continue the work of civil rights leader and renowned Pastor, Rev. William A. Lawson, is realized through its charter school, The Lawson Academy which provides quality single-gender education for middle school students and the WALIPP Senior Residence, an affordable housing facility for active elders.

Funds raised from this event will allow The Lawson Academy to expand its facility and HABJ provides professional development, honors excellence in journalism and cultivates young journalists to enter the professional world of media through various outreach programs. HABJ will allot $20,000 in scholarships to deserving college students majoring in the media and communications field.

Attendees can expect a night of dinner and dancing emceed by TV ONE host and commentator, Roland S. Martin, along with Houston’s FOX 26 Reporter, Isiah Carey. In addition to Scott McClelland, H-E-B President, the evening will honor “Real Role Model Awards” recipients Mary Benton (former KPRC-TV Ch. 2 Reporter), Marie Bosarge (philanthropist and founder of Music Doing Good), Khambrel Marshall (“Houston Newsmakers, KPRC-TV Ch. 2 host), Serbino Sandifer-Walker (Texas Southern University) and Georgetown University student, Rashema Melson.

Proceeds from this year’s gala will benefit both WALIPP and HABJ.

habj.org/


(This post was taken from a press release sent to me by HABJ)