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Journalism Day Brings Home On-Air Personalities and Talented Alumni during Day Two

of Communications Week at Texas Southern University


By Todd T. Rogers
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 was designated Journalism Day on Day Two of Communications Week
at TSU. This session featured five panel discussions revolving around careers in journalism with
a filmmakers showcase at the end of the day.
The first panel "Why Diversity Matters in 2015 and Beyond" was moderated by Cindy George of
the Houston Chronicle and Serbino Sandifer-Walker, journalism professor at TSU.
The powerbrokers session included general managers of Houston's top news stations who
encouraged students to eagerly pursue opportunities such as internships and entry-level jobs in
news. Many panelists advised future employees to not be discouraged based on experience, race,
or gender.
Maria Carrillo, senior editor at the Houston Chronicle said future journalist should have a
backbone, be excellent, and be passionate in the news room.
"Everybody that ends up in this business has to be persistent," Henry Florsheim said.
Florsheim, the general manager at ABC13 KTRK-TV said he always wanted a job in news, sent
out applications to a plethora of organizations and was rejected by many. He encourages students
looking into a career in news to go the extra mile.
"I kept all of my rejection letters," Florsheim said.
The second panel: "Thriving in the Age of New Media: Viability and Survival of the Black Press
Today" was moderated by Professor Vera Hawkins, and introduced TSU journalism students to
members of Houston's black press. Representatives from the Houston Defender, the Forward
Times, Houston Style Magazine, and the International Guardian took seats on the panel.
Rebecca Briscoe, a former Ebony Fashion Fair model, joined the black press because she felt
that black people were being left out of high profile event coverage.
"By going to these [high profile] events we have increased readership, established relationships
with national brands giving us more opportunities for advertising dollars, and has also solidified
us as the number one African/minority publication in Houston," Briscoe said.
Briscoe is a national entertainment reporter for Houston Style Magazine. She also advised
students of understanding the importance of social media and utilizing hashtags during the panel
discussion.
The third panel introduced TSU journalism students to on-air television personalities,

specifically news anchors such as Isiah Carey and Ruben Dominguez of FOX26 KRIV-TV,
Khambrel Marshall of NBC2 KPRC-TV, and the discussion was led by Sherry Williams, anchor
at KHOU-TV.
The focus of the discussion revolved around acquiring and excelling in news room internships.
"You have to get to the door in order to get through the door," Marshall said.
Khambrel Marshall is Chief Meteorologist at NBC2 and also coordinates the internship program.
"We dont expect interns to come in with pedigrees," Marshall said, "You have to know how to
sell you and your skill set - you need to have a skill set."
Ruben Dominguez is the internship coordinator at his news station where he looks for incoming
interns with desire, passion, and drive. He says the worst thing an intern could do is just sit and
wait for someone to direct them.
"I know its hard and the first day is overwhelming, but you have to get over that. You have to
get over that hurdle," Dominguez said.
The fourth panel began at noon. "Alumni Connection: The Real Deal about Succeeding in
Media" brought back former TSU journalism students to discuss their progress since graduating.

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