It’s a bit harrowing trying to navigate the news these days, but don’t worry: you have plenty of skills as a fan that can be applied to being a media expert! Our panel of journalists and rhetoric experts walk you through it.
ASHLEY HINCK
Ashley is an Assistant Professor in the Communciation Department at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Ashley’s research and teaching focus on communication online, rhetorics of citizenship and activism, and fandom communities.
PROMA KHOSLA
Proma Khosla is a writer and dancer based in New York City, but she’s also a director, producer, comic, and professional Harry Potter fan. For updates, check out her Instagram and Twitter (@promawhatup).
CONSTANCE GIBBS
Connie (she/her) is the Director of Content Strategy a writer, editor, podcaster, social media manager, and sometimes photographer from NYC. She is currently the social media manager for a book publisher you’ve heard of. Connie is most often found tweeting about her favorite TV shows and pop culture from her hobbit hole that looks an awful lot like Hufflepuff House.
JOHN VITTI
John Vitti has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, including the last 20+ at the Boston Globe. He has also spent the last 14 years teaching/advising/volunteering in the Watertown (Mass.) Public Schools. In March 2020, he founded Headliners in Education, a 501c3 nonprofit that is all about the wonderfulness of journalism in schools and is affiliated with students and teachers in 350+ schools in 34 states and four countries.
MODERATOR: TAEKIA BLACKWELL
With over 10-years working in the events and/or nonprofit space, I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades. I have an innate skill at helping shape and clarify great ideas with a creativity and tenacity all my own. I am a driven and versatile operations leader with proven success building core infrastructures that fuel organizational and revenue growth. I pride myself on being an energetic director who excels at unifying teams, developing creative solutions, and balancing multiple shifting priorities with ease.