‘Black History in the Media’ panel discusses the importance of diversity in communication

Ancheska Parchman recalled an incident as a high school teacher when she endured discrimination based on the way she styled her hair. She stated that her principal deemed it a distraction to her students.

“I had never experienced anything like that,” said Parchman, a communication skills instructor and head dance coach at Virginia Tech. “I didn’t like the way that they just couldn’t accept me for who I am. I think it's important to be who you are. Stay true to who you are and don’t let other people bring you down or try to put you in a box.” 

Five communication professionals gathered Feb. 20 in McBryde Hall for a panel discussion of Black history in the media. They addressed the importance of diversity in the communication field and shared similar experiences.

“I would encourage everyone to speak up, even if your voice cracks,” said Charmayne Brown, associate professor of practice in multimedia journalism in the Virginia Tech School of Communication. “You would be surprised that we have more in common than not. Even when your voice is cracking, even when you are afraid, speak up for yourself and stand for what you stand for.”

The panel brought together female professionals to talk about their experiences as Black women in the world of media and offered advice on ways to ensure diverse perspectives are included in the content that people produce and consume. 

Members of the panel, organized by the Society of Professional Journalists at Virginia Tech, included Parchman, Brown, Syrenthia Robinson, and Dawn Jefferies, all who teach in the School of Communication. Temptaous Mckoy, an associate professor and graduate studies coordinator in Bowie State University’s language, literature & cultural studies department, also contributed to the panel discussion.

The panelists fielded questions on a variety of topics, including the challenges they have faced as Black women in the world of communication.

“As Black women, oftentimes we are fighting a layered battle,” Mckoy said. “I have my own mental checklist where I ask myself: 'Is this going to matter in five minutes, five months or five years?' I think it’s critical that we are all able to have our own checklists about how we address these things because everyone’s life experiences are different.”

The panel also responded to prompts regarding the importance of inclusion and using media to share diverse messages. Members of the panel recounted their experiences in broadcast news production or reporting and expressed the need to tell stories with unique perspectives.

“I think you have to bring more voices into the conversation, not just of different races but of different life experiences,” said Jefferies, a senior producer for strategic initiatives at Virginia Tech. “In a lot of newsrooms, I was the only Black person in the room and my life experiences were different from other folks, but I could bring something to the table that they might not think about.”

In both their lectures and course assignments, the panelists cited the necessity to teach the importance of inclusion and to gather a plethora of perspectives when telling a story. For example, Brown noted that she does not allow her students to interview parents or friends for the news stories they write for her class. 

“That's only one voice,” Brown said. “I challenge you to go out and find somebody different and you will learn something and [you can] teach them something about you.”

Similarly, Robinson stressed the significance of knowing one’s community and audience when brainstorming ideas for a story. 

“I always ask students, ‘Who’s your audience?’ because as journalists you are serving an audience and you are serving the public,” said Robinson, senior instructor of multimedia journalism in the School of Communication. “I challenge them to try to tell the stories that we wouldn’t normally hear.”

The final question of the night gave the professionals the chance to discuss some of the ways in which they strive to overcome obstacles in their academic or professional lives. Perseverance served as a common theme among the answers, especially since – as the panelists noted – students or professionals have no limit to the obstacles they might face in the work world.

“Don’t give up; that can take you so far when it comes to facing challenges and obstacles,” Parchman said. “As an educator, it’s important for me to keep showing up for my students and to make them feel heard and seen, regardless of their background. That makes them feel more empowered and helps individuals be able to embrace their diversity.”

In one of the final statements from the panel, Jefferies reminded the audience that they are not alone. She acknowledged that facing challenges can take a toll on a student's mental health and emotional well-being, but assured the audience members in the room and on Zoom that reaching out can lower this stress. 

“Look for an ally,” Jefferies said. “Look for that person who may be different from you, but is willing to hear and talk to you. Having that ally who you can trust to give honest feedback is helpful and can also help reduce that anxiety.”

The panel responded to questions from the evening’s moderators - Brooke Van Beuren, Society of Professional Journalist president, and Jackie Mitchell, the society’s social media coordinator. 

“I believe that having events like this helps tell stories that people may not have ever heard before,” Mitchell said. “It is great for students entering the field to understand what they can do to make the industry a better place.” 

Written by Javier Mico-Crump and Alyssa Kuhl, student media content assistants for the School of Communication