Events

 

March 14, 2026

2026 MEDIA-RELATED MEDIA INSTITUTE

March 14, 2026 |Philip Merrill College of Journalism

University of Maryland, College Park

1100 Knight Hall

College Park, Maryland

Theme: The Pivot: From Disruption to Opportunity
Leading Change in Communications, AI, and Public Trust 

Join us for the NABJ Media-Related Media Institute, March 14, 2026 in College Park, MD

A must-attend event for journalists and communicators! 

The most successful media-related professionals aren’t just adapting, they’re pivoting with precision, turning disruption into their greatest competitive advantage. This year’s Media-Related Media Institute focuses on the pivot, the strategic shifts media-related professionals make to adapt in a time of rapid change. With the growth of generative AI, changes in newsroom structures, and declining public trust, the media field requires flexibility, clarity, and steady leadership.

The Institute will bring together media-related professionals for a day of learning and discussion. Participants will examine how AI is shaping storytelling, how to maintain credibility with audiences, and how media leaders can move through uncertainty while staying aligned with their values and goals.

Whether you manage teams, guide narratives, or support strategy, this theme encourages you to reflect on your own pivot and the steps you can take to move forward in these times. The day will offer practical tools, open conversations, and space to learn from peers and plan for what comes next.

Registration 

Click Here to Register
  • Open pre-registration: January 26, 2026
  • VIP/Speaker registration: February 27, 2026
  • Close pre-registration: March 2, 2026
  • On-site registration: March 14, 2026
Registration Rates
Pre-Registration
  • Member $75.00
  • Nonmember $100.00
  • Student $ 25.00
  • Student Nonmember $30.00
In-Person Registration
  • Member $85.00
  • Nonmember $115.00
  • Student $ 30.00
  • Student Nonmember $35.00
(Total includes a $3.00 administrative fee.)
*No Cash Accepted • Debit or Credit Cards Only

Schedule-at-a-Glance

8:00 AM 
  • Registration 
8:45 AM 
  • Welcome Remarks: Task Force, NABJ, and local chapter leaders welcome conference attendees.
9:00 AM 
  • Keynote Address: AI, Public Trust, and the Business of Media: Leading Responsibly in a Time of Change
    • Keynote:
      • Sheera Sabur, Vice President, Product Manager, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
9:45 AM 
  • The Business of Disruption: Streaming, Profitability & Media’s Future : The media landscape has fundamentally shifted. This keynote looks at the forces reshaping the industry and the disruption that is creating opportunity for brands, creators, organizations, and even the culture. Attendees will learn how platforms are monetizing audiences in new ways, how to position content for discovery and funding, and how to speak the language of streaming economics. This opening session equips media-related professionals to navigate media’s transformation and ensure diverse voices secure resources, reach audiences, and build influence in an evolving industry.
10 AM                                                                                                   
  • Break
10: 15 AM    
  • Session 1 | AI Palooza for Media-Related Pros: Artificial intelligence is reshaping how media-related professionals work, make decisions, and tell stories. From content creation and audience analysis to workflow automation and risk management, AI is no longer theoretical— it is embedded in daily practice.This session focuses on how media professionals are using AI tools responsibly. Participants will explore real-world applications, understand limitations and risks, and discuss how to integrate AI without sacrificing clarity, credibility, or values.
    • Presenter:
      • Benét Wilson, Training Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
11:00 AM 
  • Break
11:15 AM                                                                                            
  • Session 2a | Crisis Communications in Today’s America: Pivoting With Precision Under Pressure: In today’s media environment, crises unfold publicly and at rapid speed—often shaped by the changing media landscape, political pressure, and declining public trust. Communicators are expected to respond in real time, make decisions with incomplete information, and maintain credibility under scrutiny. This panel examines how media-related professionals approach crisis communications in the current climate. Panelists will discuss preparation, decision-making during  the first critical hours, and how to communicate clearly as facts evolve. The conversation will also address leadership alignment, internal communication, and the role emerging technologies play in crisis response.
    • Moderator:
      • Jade Fulce, Spokesperson and Strategic Communications Advisor
    • Panelists:
      • Crystal Borde, Vice President and Community-Driven Communications Practice Lead, Vanguard Communications
      • Brian McCoy, Integrated Marketing and Digital Strategy Director at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
      • Corey Dade, Founder & CEO, End Game Consulting 
11:15 AM                                                                              
  • Session 2b | The Interpreter’s Edge: Bridging Newsrooms, Brands, Creators & Communities: Newsrooms, brands, creators, and agencies all value storytelling, audience building, and credibility—but they define success in very different ways. This session brings together panelists from each sector to explain their metrics, timelines, and constraints in plain language. Attendees will learn how to translate expertise across professional contexts, position work to resonate in different environments and understand what drives decision-making in each space. Discover how to communicate value across newsrooms, boardrooms, and creative communities without compromising professional identity.
    • Moderator: TBD
    • Panelists:
      •  

        Shante Bacon, Founder and CEO, ONE/35 Agency 

        Kenrick Thomas, PCM®, CDMP, Vice President, City First Bank 

        Phil Lewis, President, Washington Association of Black Journalists 

12:00 PM 
  • Lunch
1:30 PM                                                                                       
  • Session 3a | Misinformation and Disinformation: Interrupting False Narratives and Building Trust: As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, protecting accurate information is essential to public trust. In an era marked by skepticism toward institutions and media, misinformation continues to shape how communities understand policy, governance, and shared facts. This panel examines how false narratives take hold and the responsibility media-related professionals have in addressing them. Drawing on policy expertise and community-informed perspectives, panelists will discuss why some narratives resist correction and what effective intervention looks like. The conversation will focus on monitoring misinformation, communicating clearly, and reinforcing trust without amplifying harm.
    • Moderator: TBD
    • Panelists:
      • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News
      • Elissa Johnson, Vice President of Criminal Justice Campaigns, FWD.us 
2:15 PM                                                                                            
  • Break
2:30 PM 
  • Session 4a | Career Transitions – Business Owners: Business owners are always planning their next move. This session offers candid insights and actionable guidance for agency leaders and consultants navigating major transitions—Whether retiring or selling a firm, returning to an in-house role, merging agencies, expanding service lines, or strengthening RFP strategies to win larger contracts. Designed for entrepreneurs, this session provides practical direction to help participants confidently shape the next chapter of their business journey.
    • Moderator: TBD
    • Panelists:
      • Mike Frisby, President, Frisby & Associates
      • Monica Wood, Founder, The Soul Deep Agency
2:30 PM
  • Session 4b: From Newsroom to Comms: Transitioning from Journalism to Public Relations: As the media landscape continues to shift, many journalists are making strategic pivots into public relations and communications roles. This panel explores what it means to move from journalism to PR in today’s environment. Panelists will discuss how core newsroom skills translate into communications work, what mindset shifts are required, and how to navigate ethical questions tied to credibility and public trust.
    • Moderator: 
      • Yolanda McCutchen, Vice President of Public Relations, District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency
    •  Panelists:
      • Roy Betts, Communications Manager, Media Relations, United Negro College Fund
      • Justice Harkless, PR & Communications Manager, Big Brothers and Big Sisters
      • Lauren Evette Williams, MPA, Senior Vice President, GCI Health
3:15 PM                                                                                                       
  • Break
3:30 PM                                                                          
  • Session 5a: Positioned for Power: Using AI & Recruiters and Head Hunters for Your Next Role: Career mobility in media and communications is evolving. AI-driven tools influence how candidates are discovered and evaluated, while recruiters and headhunters shape access to opportunity. This panel explores how media professionals can strategically position themselves for their next role.

    Panelists will discuss how recruiters identify talent, how AI affects resumes and online profiles, and how to clearly present skills in competitive markets. The session offers practical guidance on visibility, managing your professional narrative, and intentionally engaging recruiters.

    • Moderator: 
      • Tony Jones, Communications Professional, Media-Related Task  Force Jobs Board Lead 
    •  Panelists:
      • Yahira Cruz, Principal, On-Ramps 
3:30 PM                                                                                                  
  • Session 5b | Executive Leadership: Leading, Adapting, and Staying Effective at the Top | INVITATION ONLY: Reaching a senior leadership role is only the beginning. Today’s executive leaders must  deliver results, guide teams through change, and maintain trust with stakeholders while operating under constant scrutiny. This panel examines what it takes to sustain effectiveness at the executive level. Panelists will discuss adapting leadership styles, managing visibility and accountability, making decisions under pressure, and preventing burnout. Designed for experienced leaders, this session offers practical insight into maintaining performance, credibility, and longevity.
    • Moderator:
      • Tinna Jackson, Executive Leadership Strategist and Author, Jackson Consulting Group and PowerDyn LLC 
    •  Panelists:
      • Dawn Roberts, Founder, Elite Access Communications
      • Deborah Hyman, Head of Enterprise Communication & Employer Brand, Wells Fargo
      • Wynona Redmond, President, Wyn-Win Communications 
4:15 PM
  • Break
4:30 PM                                                                                                        
  • Closing Session | Recession-Proof: Transforming Social Capital into Career Equity: After exploring streaming consolidation and algorithmic shifts, this closing session answers a critical question: “What can I do about it?” Your value isn’t defined solely by job titles or company logos— it’s amplified by expertise, voice, and audience. This panel features media professionals who transformed into subject-matter experts, content creators and multi-preneurs, strategically expanding influence beyond single outlets. They used social capital to create generational wealth, IP ownership, and diversified streams of income. This isn’t about leaving your job—it’s about building leverage, assets, and authority that benefits your career and organization.
    • Moderator: 
      • Kiana Nelson, Vice-Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force
      • Panelists: TBD
5:15 PM 
  • Closing Remarks
    • Speakers:
      • Rabiah Burks, Vice President Communications & External Affairs, National Legal Aid & Defender Association
      • Raschanda Hall, NABJ Media-Related Representative 
6:30 PM 
  • Offsite Reception: Location Coming Soon