All News Ain’t Good News: Critical Media Literacy in the Black Community

2024 Sankofa Event & Series: Inspiring change through engaging discussion and reflection

Theme: All News Ain’t Good News: Critical Media Literacy in the Black Community

When it comes to consuming media, the Black community has a lot to contend with. In addition to addressing the omissions, silences, and distortions that have historically typified how Black people are covered and represented, we must now sift through fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. Additionally, as social media and alternative news platforms ascend as the primary means of getting information—especially for younger generations—we are also faced with politically motivated platform repression. This talk will cover each of these issues, starting with a historical overview of how mainstream and controversial issues have been covered in the Black press. Then, we will turn to how Black communities grapple with giving voice to our diverse perspectives.

Location:

Hallie Q. Brown

270 Kent Street

Saint Paul, MN 55102

Date:

Saturday November 9th, 2024

Time:

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Evening

• Social/Community Time

• Entertainment/Food

• Keynote

• Tabletop Discussions facilitated by our youth and young people.

• Call to Action

• Publication

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly

Wayne State University

Educator, Author, Scholar-Activist

Charisse Burden-Stelly is a critical Black Studies scholar of political theory, political economy, intellectual history, and political and historical sociology. Dr. Burden-Stelly has authored the books: Black Scare/Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States and the co-author, with Dr. Gerald Horne, of W.E.B. Du Bois: A Life in American History. She is also the co-editor, with Dr. Jodi Dean, of Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women’s Political Writings and of Reproducing Domination: On the Caribbean and the Postcolonial State with Dr. Aaron Kamugisha and Dr. Percy Hintzen. Additionally, she has served as a guest editor for the “Claudia Jones: Foremother of World Revolution” special issue of The Journal of Intersectionality.

Dr. Burden-Stelly’s published work appears in journals including Small Axe, Monthly Review, Souls, Du Bois Review, Socialism & Democracy, International Journal of Africana Studies, CLR James Journal, and American Communist History. Her words are featured in popular venues including Monthly Review, Boston Review, Essence magazine, Teen Vogue, Jacobin, The Nation, and Black Agenda Report. She have been interviewed on podcasts, radio shows, and news shows including The Real News Network, Breakthrough News, Black Myths, Millennials Are Killing Capitalism, The Red Nation, AJ+, Bad Faith, The Katie Halper Show, Revolutionary Left Radio, Guerilla History, Upstream and the New Books Network. Dr. Burden-Stelly is a member of the Black Alliance for Peace and Community Movement Builders.

Mistress of Ceremonies: Lissa Jones-Lofgren

Lissa Jones-Lofgren is a distinguished executive leader with extensive experience driving organizational change and fostering inclusive cultures. As a seasoned Fractional CEO and Organizational Behaviorist, Lissa specializes in guiding organizations through complex transformations, aligning missions with strategic goals, and cultivating environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just ideals but practiced values.

Lissa is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, known for her ability to challenge organizations to move beyond superficial inclusion to embrace true diversity and equity. She spent 15 years as the host and content creator of Urban Agenda on KMOJ Radio, where she remained deeply connected to the community she represents. Currently, she hosts the acclaimed podcast Black Market Reads for the Givens Foundation for African American Literature, amplifying the voices of Black authors and exploring the rich tapestry of African American literature.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Lissa's leadership is deeply rooted in her understanding of the communities she serves and her unwavering dedication to advancing social justice.

Music: God’s Queen and The GQ Band

God’s Queen is singer, songwriter Jamela Pettiford, daughter of St. Paul/Rondo. She learned at a young age from some of Minnesota’s best musicians and singers. Throughout the years, Pettiford has been featured in many bands and music groups joining the Big John Dickerson blues band in 2004, inducted into the “Minnesota Blues Society” Hall of Fame in April 2007. Throughout the 25 plus years Pettiford has combined deep rooted soul all while enhancing, edifying, and encouraging the community. Jamela has produced music that can be found on all platforms with various artists including solo projects written by her.

The GQ Band

Keyez Williams - Keys, Bass, Vocals

Mike Suave Rose - Drums

Isaac Paulsrud - Guitar, additional vocals

Organized by In Black Ink (IBI)

IBI is a state-wide, grassroots, non-profit organization that creates spaces where the intergenerational stories about Minnesotans of African heritage can be shared, documented, and archived. IBI provides publishing arts initiatives and opportunities to communities that have been disenfranchised historically and continue to be presently.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or (651) 231-6604.

This event is free & open to the public.

For more info. and to RSVP use the QR code or link below.

Funders:

Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundations

Mardag Foundation

McKnight Foundation

F. R. Bigelow Foundation

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hallie Q Brown Community Center, 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, United States