The year 2023 centered on advocacy, equity, media literacy and education for Nicki Mayo News LLC multimedia company.
Clients this year included Black Women Unmuted, TV One, The White Dress Project, George Washington University and more.
While the EQUITY theme from 2020 – 2022 continued, the major themes of 2023 were MEDIA LITERACY and EDUCATION. The year started with classroom visits and ended with a part-time lecturer position at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs. Nicki devoted a lot of time participating on panels, podcasts and volunteering with schools in an effort to help teach media literacy and a better understanding of careers in journalism.
Here are a few 2023 #YearInReview highlights.
REPORTING
Nicki reported and produced the following for Black Women Unmuted:
What is Black Women Unmuted? (updated 2023)
Black Women Unmuted: Saddle Shoes and Sacrifices: The Four Little Girls and other young Civil Rights SHEroes
Black Women Unmuted: Election 2023 Races to Watch with Black Women Candidates
From city hall to Capitol Hill, Black women are showing up nationwide in Election 2023 races. This includes the Philadelphia, Houston and Charlotte mayoral spots, the Kentucky Attorney General position and multiple Senate races to name a few. Black Women Unmuted Editor At Large Nicki Mayo (@NickiMayoNews) talks with Higher Heights PAC (@HigherHeightPAC) VP Communications Aprill O. Turner (@aprilloturner) about some of the key races to watch involving Black women candidates.
VIDEO PRODUCTION
02/24/2023 Jonte Hall – Never Give Up
Baltimore native Jonte Hall traveled the world performing with the Harlem Globetrotters. This former professional athlete, turned motivational speaker and youth advocate shares his life story. Jonte is available to bring his “Never Give Up” message to your special event. Bookings & Appearances: JonteNotSoSmall@gmail.com
05/06/2023 “Smoke Clears” by Haroun Law
Nicki ran into DMV Christian rapper Haroun Law and asked for an impromptu video shoot. He came through with A WORD and lessons for life. Enjoy “Smoke Clears” by Haroun Law (IG/TT: @HAROUN_LAW)
08/31/2023 King Arthur Team of We Happyville
Baltimore County native King Arthur shares his passion for helping others learn about agape love, physical and mental health and setting goals. The World Famous Harlem Wizards player attended Bowie State University and Milford Mill High School. Today he dedicates his time to helping inner city Baltimore youth envision their academic and wellness future with fitness workshops, school supplies drives and college tours.
ADVOCACY
The White Dress Project’s Dialogue with the Doctors: Understanding My Treatment Options
The White Dress Project hosted Dialogue with the Doctors: “Understanding My Treatment Options” virtual discussion on April 20, 2023. Have you been diagnosed with fibroids and are wondering what treatment option is best for you?
The White Dress Project’s 2023 Blossom Awards
The White Dress Project hosted the Empowerment Experience and honored several fibroid advocates with their Blossom Awards. Nicki produced the following award explainer video and vignettes for the July 2023 event.
Black Journalists on Journalism Podcast
Nicki Mayo of Black Women Unmuted gets real on activism in journalism
Nicki Mayo is the Editor-at-large for Black Women Unmuted, a digital publication that focuses on the power of Black women in U.S. politics. In the second episode of Black Journalists on Journalism, she walks us through her career as a reporter and editor, including stints in broadcast TV and radio, and her new venture at Black Women Unmuted.
“Breaking the Silence: Stories of Survival and Strength”… A Domestic Violence Awareness Panel Discussion
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Nicki participated in “Breaking the Silence: Stories of Survival and Strength”… A Domestic Violence Awareness Panel Discussion sponsored by Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media, LLC, and powered by SHP Media and Broadcasting Studio.
PANELISTS: Nikea Williams , LaShona Patton-Jones, MS,TKP, Dr. Pia L. S. Oreadea Treadwell, Nicki Mayo, Mildred D. Muhammad, and Che Sayles.
MEDIA LITERACY
Bomba Live!
Bomba Live Host Ray Collazo is joined by journalist Nicki Mayo to discuss the state of journalism and the overall media landscape. Mayo discussed the need to discern ‘new media’ from real journalism and shared why her #BlackWomenUnmuted platform is a badly needed outlet to highlight the authentic perspective of Black women in American life. Collazo and Mayo discussed the legacy of #BlackTwitter and if they prefer their pasteles ‘con ketchup’ or ‘sin ketchup.’
The Daily Drum: “America’s Insatiable Appetite for Bad News… Why Do We Thrive On Other People’s Misfortune?”
VIEW FULL PROGRAM : https://www.youtube.com/live/y2cfUOruR7I
On this LIVE DAILY DRUM with Harold Fisher, we will explore “America’s Insatiable Appetite for Bad News… Why Do We Thrive On Other People’s Misfortune?”
Guests: Journalist Nicki Mayo; Howard University Graduate School and HU Initiative on Public Opinion Director Terri Adams and blogger April Banks (@SincerelyBlogg).
Double Exposure Film Festival Moderator
Nicki teamed up with 100 Reporters and DC Public Libraries for the 2023 Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival & Symposium and the “Double Down the Block Film” series. She hosted three film discussions at three library branches around the District.
- “The Slow Hustle” with author and reporter Justin Fenton at Mount Pleasant Library.
- “Hazing” with Director Byron Hurt at Woodridge Library.
- “This Is Not Financial Advice” with Director Chris Temple at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Bowie State University Media Day
VIEW HIGHLIGHTS ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cyy50HxJJ6u/
Over 20 local and national print and broadcast journalists, program directors, radio hosts and others who work in the media provided communications students with insights into the wide range of professional opportunities during the annual Media Day, hosted by the Bowie State University Communications Department. More than 200 students attending the event on Oct. 24, heard strategies for building successful careers. They were able to network with potential employers across a broad spectrum of organizations and corporations and learn more about the industry.
EDUCATION
Career Day Fun with BMAC DST Delta GEMS
Nicki had a chance to talk with the Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s tween and teens groups about careers in journalism. The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy (ages 11-14) and the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute (ages 14-18) work with girls to help them set academic goals and plan for their future.
Sinclair Lane Elementary School (Baltimore City Public Schools)
Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School (Baltimore City Public Schools)
Preston Mitchum Video Production Club (Baltimore County)
Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School (Baltimore City Public Schools)
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs
Nicki Mayo joined the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs staff as a lecturer teaching Introduction to Newswriting and Reporting. This course serves two essential GWU objectives. It is the introductory class into the journalism/political communication major sequence, and it has been certified as a Writing in the Disciplines (WID) course.
SMPA 2110W emphasizes both reporting and writing skills, starting with the initial building block of a good lead and moving on to developing longer stories including spot news, interviews, features, obituaries and profiles. Nicki led her class through lessons using reading materials, lectures and discussions and doing practical exercises and assignments both inside and outside the classroom.
The following are several highlights from the guest speakers featured in the Fall 2023 course.
GW SMPA Guest: Stephanie Douglas on Covering Breaking News
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Memphis, Tenn. WMC Action News 5 Reporter Stephanie Douglas about covering breaking news.
GW SMPA Guest: Ron Vample on Covering Breaking News
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Associated Press Executive Producer Ron Vample about covering breaking news, planning and advancing stories.
GW SMPA Guest: Rebecca Aguilar on #JournoLife Gems for Future Journalists
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with seven-time Emmy Award-winning reporter Rebecca Aguilar about growing up as the daughter of immigrants, navigating her journalism career and her “Five Cs of Success” advice for life.
GW SMPA Guest: Justin Fenton on Covering Crime
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Baltimore Banner Investigative Reporter Justin Fenton about covering crime, investigations and solutions journalism.
GW SMPA Guest: Sam Davis on Advice for Entry Level Reporters
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Baltimore Sun Managing Editor Sam Davis about advice for entry level reporters.
GW SMPA Guest: Sonya Ross on Covering Politics, Local News and Propaganda Problems
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Black Women Unmuted Editor In Chief Sonya Ross about the role of political news coverage and the impact of propaganda on society.
GW SMPA Guest: Darlene Superville on Covering the White House
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Associated Press White House Correspondent Darlene Superville about covering the POTUS, FLOTUS and policy issues.
GW SMPA Guest: Adam Bernstein on Writing Obituaries
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Adam Bernstein, Washington Post Obituary Editor and president of The Society of Professional Obituary Writers. Bernstein breaks down the role of obituary writers in journalism.
GW SMPA Guest: Tamia Fowlkes on Journalism Internships and Mentors
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Public Investigator Reporter Tamia Fowlkes about the importance of mentors and internships. Before joining JS, she completed internships at the Washington Post, the Rachel Maddow Show, USA Today – Network and the Wisconsin State Journal. Fowlkes previously served as an intern for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel‘s Investigative Watchdog Team as a part of the Pulitzer Prize Finalist Wires and Fires Investigation.
GW SMPA Guest: Philip Lewis on Journalism and Social Media
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with HuffPost Senior Front Page Editor Philip Lewis about sourcing stories from social media, aggregation avalanche and professional branding.
GW SMPA Guest: Jarrad Henderson on Writing Photo Captions
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with 4x Emmy Award-winning visual journalist Jarrad Henderson about best practices for writing photo captions. Henderson is an Artist-In-Residence at Michigan State University and Founder of Pop Up Docs™, a pop-up style, mobile storytelling nonprofit.
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