A Lawrence High School student journalist has organized a panel featuring several area journalists of color to discuss the need for people of color in the newsroom.
“Experience isn’t learned,” the event flyer states.
A 2022 survey of nearly 12,000 U.S. journalists by Pew Research Center yielded a sample of 77% who identify as white; 8% as Hispanic; 5% as Black; 3% as Asian; 3% as other non-Hispanic; and 3% did not answer. Just 32% of respondents said they believed their newsrooms have enough racial and ethnic diversity, and fewer than half said they believe their news organization makes diversity a top priority.
Natasha Torkzaban, editor-in-chief of the Budget, Lawrence High’s student newspaper, will host the panel, “Empower Journalists of Color.”
Featured speakers will include:
• Mará Rose Williams, The Kansas City Star’s assistant managing editor for race and equity issues;
• Toriano Porter, opinion writer and member of The Star’s editorial board;
• Maya Hodison, equity reporter and engagement director for The Lawrence Times;
• Patricia Weems Gaston, the Lacy C. Haynes Professor of Journalism at the University of Kansas and Pulitzer Prize winner;
• Melissa Green-Blye, assistant professor of journalism at KU and enrolled citizen of the Miami tribe of Oklahoma; and
• Ryan Sorrell, founder and publisher of the Kansas City Defender.
The panel is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Art Love Collective, 646 Vermont St. in downtown Lawrence. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Note: Torkzaban has done work for The Lawrence Times.
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