NABJ
Entrepreneur Academy
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Meet the 2022 class, comprised of outstanding NABJ members.
Dillon Bernard
Dillon Bernard is a content producer and digital strategist committed to using storytelling as a tool for transformative change. Dillon currently leads Dillon Bernard Media Strategies, a creative studio focused on supporting purpose-driven organizations engage young and multicultural audiences. Dillon founded Amplify Pledge, a storytelling collective imploring individuals and brands to actively utilize their social media platforms to support the work of grassroots movements.
Shana Black
Shana Black is the Founder of Black Girl Media in Cleveland, Ohio. Black Girl Media, produces content and community events that “educates, informs and amplifies underrepresented voices in North East Ohio.” In 2019, Shana was recognized as one of Cleveland’s Most Interesting People, and in 2020 she worked as Ohio’s Misinformation Fellow with First Draft. Shana is a recent graduate of the Executive Program In News Innovation And Leadership at CUNY's Craig Newmark School of Journalism and currently serves on the board of the Local Media Foundation.
Javacia Harris Bowser
Javacia Harris Bowser is an award-winning freelance journalist and the author of the essay collection Find Your Way Back: How to Write Your Way Through Anything. She's also the founder of See Jane Write, a website and community for women who write. Javacia has written for several media outlets, including Good Housekeeping, HerMoney.com, Good Grit magazine, and The Birmingham Times.
Dymond Green
Dymond Green is a journalist and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. In 2015, Green took a 6-month trip to Ghana where she learned about the power of natural plants and herbs to heal chronic imbalances within the body. Today, she runs Herbal Harmony—a plant-based feminine care line of products to help other women find relief, with ingredients they can feel good about.
Eniola Longe
Eniola Longe believes in the power of storytelling as a tool to change the African narrative. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, she knew she would end up as either a lawyer or journalist. After studying law for six years and practicing for two years, she is now getting a professional Master's in Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.
Wayne A. Peterson, Jr.
Wayne A. Peterson, Jr., best known as Mr. Al Pete, is a Hip Hop musician, podcaster, journalist, and the founder of The MPN Network. Created in 2012, MPN reached instant success with the birth of two brands: Fly Socks and Tees and The Groove Suite. In January of 2020, Pete created The MPN Network, along with The Neighborhood Podcast Network, which hosts a range of podcasts.
Kyle Rosenbaum
Kyle Rosenbaum drives Marcom Weekly's mission to advance diversity in marketing and media. He has more than 16 years of experience working with reporters and executives to produce stories that appeared in outlets including Associated Press, People en Espanol, and the Today Show. Kyle previously led PR programs for Universal McCann, Nickelodeon, P&G and Samsung.
Lisa D. Tinsley
Lisa's passion for news and media began in her early teenage years. A graduate of Loyola Marymount and Florida State Universities, Lisa has worked as a news researcher and archivist for 25 years. On June 1, 2017, Lisa launched KISA Public Radio, an online African American news and culture station. Listeners worldwide tune in daily to hear dynamic audio documentaries and interviews at kisaradio.org.
Shernay Williams
Shernay Williams is a Baltimore-born freelance video journalist and entrepreneur. She has a passion for using video to tell stories about entrepreneurship and business development in underrepresented communities, including among mothers and people of color. She’s spent more than a decade as a journalist for local television, print, and radio outlets throughout the South and East Coast, covering everything from mayoral races to the heroin epidemic. Shernay has also served as an entrepreneurship coach and founded a content firm that helps businesses and nonprofits tell their stories more strategically. In 2020, she launched the Black Mompreneur Directory which showcases a growing list of 200+ Black mom-owned businesses in the U.S.
Joe Young
Joe Young is an award-winning cartoonist, filmmaker, producer, writer, and teaching artist. He is the Creator of the newly released KEMET comic property, which has a twenty million readership in Black newspapers nationwide. Joe is President of Joe Young Entertainment, LLC which distributes original digital content to streaming TV channels and media outlets. He is also the writer and executive producer of Hartford’s first major homegrown book-to-film project, Diamond Ruff. Young is a Guinness World Record Holder for creating the World’s Longest Comic Strip. Young is a Co-Producer of the full-length feature movie “PEP” filmed in Hartford, CT, executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. He has been recognized for his many accomplishments, such as being an Amazon National Best Selling Author & The NAACP 100 Most Influential Blacks in CT, appearing in multiple national outlets including People, Ebony, GQ, CNN, and New York Times.
Program Advisors & Leadership
Brett Erik Chambers
NABJ Advisor
Brett Erik Chambers is a parent, media literacy advocate, and 'Catalyst for Change. Brett is a lecturer at NCCU’s Department of Mass Communication and the creator of Brett’s OpenMic. He has spent most of his adult life finding and presenting authentic images of people, especially people of color, on television, radio, film, recording, or in the classroom.
Brett was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Region IV Hall of Fame in 2004.
@brettmedia
Caron LeNoir
Advisor
Caron LeNoir is an American journalist, producer, artist, and activist. Celebrated as Top 40 Over 40 by Podcast Magazine, she is the founder of CARONISMedia Group, CARONISM Audio, and The Center for Sensual Arts and examines life, sexual politics, faith, and power dynamics in the arts and entertainment. A formerly homeless disabled veteran, Caron honorably served in both the US Navy and Army. Her experience informs her advocacy for women, veterans, their voices, and mental health. As a creator and business strategist, she leads with humor and uncommon sense.
@caronism
Dorothy Tucker
NABJ National President
Dorothy Tucker is a mother of three, an award-winning journalist, and the current President of the National Association of Black Journalists. A graduate of Northwestern University with a B.S. in Communications, Dorothy has been a reporter for CBS2 Chicago since 1984 and has won many awards, including national and regional Edward R. Murrow awards and Emmys.
Dorothy is also the recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Association of Journalists.
@dorothytv2