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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 

Thanks to Our Partners and Sponsors:

University of Maryland, College Park, Philip Merrill College of Journalism 

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

Event Program Book: https://bit.ly/NABJMRI26Program

8:00 AM 
  • Registration 
8:45 AM – Lecture Hall – First Floor
  • Welcome Remarks: NABJ Media-Related Task Force members and local chapter leaders welcome conference attendees.
    • Speakers:
      • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News
      • Raschanda Hall, NABJ Media-Related Representative and Founder, Social Pearls, LLC
      • Rabiah Burks, Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force and Vice President Communications & External Affairs, National Legal Aid & Defender Association
      • Kiana Nelson, Vice-Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force 
      • Madeline Seck, President, University of Maryland Association of Black Journalists 
      • Phil Lewis, President, Washington Association of Black Journalists & Deputy Editor, HuffPost 
9:00 AM – Lecture Hall – First Floor
  • Keynote Address: AI, Public Trust, and the Business of Media: Leading Responsibly in a Time of Change: Journalism is facing a period of profound disruption. Reporters are navigating increasing public scrutiny, growing attacks on the press, and declining trust in news, while artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how information is created, distributed, and consumed.

    This session will examine the latest research on AI, media credibility, and public trust to provide an honest look at the challenges journalists, communicators, and media professionals face today. Panelists will move beyond the headlines to discuss what these changes mean. The conversation will focus on practical strategies for maintaining accuracy, accountability, and credibility in uncertain times and on the central question facing the industry today: when the environment is unpredictable, who is responsible for protecting the truth? The answer begins you.

    • Speaker:
      • Sheera Sabur, Founder, FaScil Solutions
9:45 AM – Lecture Hall – First Floor
  • The Pivot in Practice: From Media Disruption to Strategic Influence: The media landscape has shifted. Newsrooms are leaner. AI is reshaping workflows. Trust is fragile. Distribution is platform-driven. For media-related professionals, this is not just disruption. It is a pivotal moment.This session explores how media-related professionals can move from reactive pitching to strategic positioning. Panelists will discuss adapting to newsroom realities, building executive visibility in a crowded market, leveraging AI responsibly, and developing subject-matter authority that drives career mobility. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen influence, expand opportunity, and lead with credibility in a rapidly changing media environment.
    • Presenters:
      • Raschanda Hall, NABJ Media-Related Representative and Founder, Social Pearls, LLC
      • Rabiah Burks, Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force and Vice President Communications & External Affairs, National Legal Aid & Defender Association
10 AM                                                                                                   
  • Break
10: 15 AM – Lecture Hall – First Floor 
  • 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 – Lecture Hall – First Floor                                                                                
  • 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 – Room 3202 – Third Floor                                                                              
  • 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: 
      • Michelle Nealy, Vice President, Reservoir Communications Group
    • 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 & Deputy Editor, HuffPost
12:00 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor     
  • Lunch: Documentary Screening: Beyond the Headlines: The #NABJ Journey: As NABJ celebrates its 50th anniversary, this film tells the story of the courageous 44 founders and the enduring impact they’ve had on the media profession.
    • Presenter:
      • Terry Allen, Vice President, Focus Communications
1:30 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor                                                                                 
  • 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: 
      • Aprill O. Turner, APR, Executive Vice President of Communications & External Affairs, Higher Heights for America
    • Panelists:
      • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News
      • Elissa Johnson, Vice President of Criminal Justice Campaigns, FWD.us 
      • Brianna Tucker, Chair, NABJ Political Task Force & National Politics Journalist
2:15 PM                                                                                            
  • Break
2:30 PM – Room 3202 – Third Floor       
  • 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:
      • Madia Brown, Founder, Brandire 
    • Panelists:
      • Raschanda Hall, NABJ Media-Related Representative and Founder, Social Pearls, LLC 
      • Mike Frisby, President, Frisby & Associates 
      • Monica Wood, Founder, The Soul Deep Agency 
2:30 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor   
  • 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 & Influencer Relations Manager, Big Brother Big Sisters of America
      • Lauren Evette Williams, MPA, Senior Vice President, GCI Health
3:15 PM                                                                                                       
  • Break
3:30 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor                                                                     
  • 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 
      • Terica Johnson, Career Strategist, CTMI Sovereign Solutions
3:30 PM – Room location shared with invitees                                                                                                
  • 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 
      • Ryan Williams, Head of Event Production & Content, DC Public Library
4:15 PM
  • Break
4:30 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor                                                                                        
  • Closing Session | Monetizing the Pivot: Turning Content into Revenue and Opportunity: The media landscape has shifted. Roles are evolving. Platforms now shape visibility, and AI is accelerating content creation. In this environment, content is more than output — it is an asset.This session explores how media and communications professionals can approach monetization strategically, with a focus on sustainability, diversification, and long-term growth. Attendees will gain practical insight into turning expertise, voice, and experience into revenue streams while maintaining credibility, protecting professional integrity, and positioning themselves for growth in a changing media economy.
    • Moderator: 
      • Kiana Nelson, Vice-Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force
    •  Panelists: 
      • Josephine Hill, Digital Marketing Consultant and Founder, CORE24 Creative Marketing Agency
      • Kelsey Nelson, Founder, KryptiaNN Communications
      • Ashleigh Demi, Media Personality & Host
5:15 PM – Lecture Hall – First Floor   
  • Closing Remarks
    • Speakers:
      • Raschanda Hall, NABJ Media-Related Representative and Founder, Social Pearls, LLC
      • Rabiah Burks, Chair, NABJ Media-Related Task Force, Vice President Communications & External Affairs, National Legal Aid & Defender Association
6:30 PM – First Floor Lobby
  • Reception