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Chevrolet Host Closing Ceremony for DTU Fellows

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NNPA publications the Atlanta Voice, Chicago Crusader, Houston Forward Times and The Washington Informer, hosted the fellows during their internship road trip experience. The fellows were allowed to hone their print, broadcast, digital and photojournalism skills while driving the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer to discover unexpected stories in the African American community.

Published

5 years ago

August 26, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Michelle Alexander believes the 2019 Discover the Unexpected (DTU) program might have been the best in the short history of the annual journalism fellowship.

“I think this year was just a little bit more special,” said Alexander, General Motors multicultural marketing manager.

“A lot of it had to do with the partners that we had this year, including DJ Envy as the program ambassador and Fonzworth Bentley as the program advisor,” Alexander said.

“I think this really elevated the program because both Bentley and Envy are HBCU graduates, and they are extremely passionate about the community,” she said.

Both Bentley and Envy are “car guys,” which probably helped, Alexander said.

“Ultimately the connection they had with us this year was in a way that I think we hadn’t had in some of the other years,” she said.

The engaged the fellows throughout the program and did much more than what they were contractually obligated to, Alexander said.

Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) hosted a closing ceremony on earlier this month to celebrate the fourth year of the award-winning DTU program.

The eight-week fellowship kicked off in Atlanta with a boot camp and culminated in Detroit at General Motors Global Headquarters.

NNPA publications the Atlanta Voice, Chicago Crusader, Houston Forward Times and The Washington Informer, hosted the fellows during their internship road trip experience.

The fellows were allowed to hone their print, broadcast, digital and photojournalism skills while driving the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer to discover unexpected stories in the African American community.

The 2019 DTU Journalism Fellows were Tedarius Abrams (Bethune-Cookman), Tyla Barnes (Hampton University), Elae Hill (North Carolina A&T), Miana Massey (Howard University), Emani Nichols (Morehouse College) and Sharon Joy Washington (Florida A&M).

The six students wrote several powerful pieces, produced video content, participated in press conferences and met Charles Muse, one of the Chevrolet Blazer engineers.

The fellows’ stories were featured on the NNPA website (www.nnpa.org/chevydtu) throughout the program.

“I think one of the key elements of this program is making sure that we’re connecting with the community in a way that feels very authentic,” Alexander said.

“It was truly a great year. We had students who were extremely strong, passionate, and those who had a ton of grit about themselves,” she said.

Since its inception in 2016, the annual program has awarded nearly a half-million dollars in scholarships and stipends.

It began with a select number of schools.

However, based on the overwhelming response, the submission process was opened to all students in their sophomore through senior years at HBCUs with interest in journalism, communications, mass media or visual arts.

Alexander said it isn’t easy choosing students from among a great deal of submissions received each year.

“You get hundreds and hundreds of applicants, and you’re sifting through resumes, and you’re trying to get a feel for these individuals. So, you never know but to see these fellows live in action, even from day one at the boot camp where we met them, was amazing,” she said.

“I think every year we have had great students. This year, I was impressed with the energy that the fellows had,” Alexander said.

During the closing ceremony, the fellows each received $10,000 scholarships and certificates of completion.

Bentley, a Morehouse College graduate; and Envy, a graduate of Hampton University; Chevrolet leaders and NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. attended the closing ceremony with the fellows.

“Chevrolet was excited to partner with the NNPA to drive the importance of storytelling and finding new roads during their fellowship,” Brad Franz, Chevrolet’s senior manager of Crossover Vehicles Advertising & Marketing, said in a news release.

“The fellows seized the opportunity to embark on this unexpected journey of professional and personal self-discovery while gaining new tools along the way,” Franz said.

The NNPA “was excited to partner with Chevrolet for another year in support of these young journalists to amplify community voices across our country,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

“Having these young journalists in our newsrooms working side by side with our publishers was inspiring, and we are committed to including young storytellers’ voices in our reporting.”

Alexander said she’s already looking forward to next year’s DTU program.

“You can expect some enhancements in terms of how we kind of cast our net even wider,” Alexander said. “I expect us to add another vehicle that I think is going to be a game-changer within the market as well. So, there’s a lot more to come, and I can promise you that, from a Chevrolet perspective, the passion will remain,” she said.

Learn more about the Discover the Unexpected Journalism Fellowship at www.nnpa.org/chevydtu.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org