Session I: Representing Diversity in Community Media | 10:10 a.m. (March 7)

The past few years has seen an increase in discussion over diversity in media. Are the stories being told in your community being accurately represented? Media helps construct the perception in which we live. What happens when media omits or distorts a whole group of people? In this session we explore race, gender and other social issues and how we can better represent diversity.
Speakers: Rina Risper, President and Publisher, The New Citizens Press
and Geri Alumit Zeldes, Ph.D., Professor, MSU School of Journalism

Session II: Where to Find Grants and Grant Writing Techniques | 11:30a.m. (March 7)

Cable cord cutting is one of the biggest scares community media centers have when it comes to sustaining funds to keep centers operational. There are several ways money can be raised to contribute financially for organizations but what about grants? First, how do you find them and second, how do you write an award winning grant? This session will help media centers learn grant writing techniques and help navigate where to find sources of revenue.
Speakers: Matt Schuster, Executive Producer, Public Media Network

Session III: Engage Your Audience Through Social Storytelling | 2:30 p.m. (March 7)

The social world is becoming ever more present in our everyday lives. Stories are at our finger tips. We no longer have to wait for the 6 O’Clock News or wait for a monthly subscription to come out; it’s instantaneous. Not everyone uses media in the same manner, nor is captured by it. By using mixed media, you’re reaching a more diverse and wider audience who can help share their story. With cable cord cutting become ever more relevant, it is now more important than ever to capture your audience and their story through social. In this session you will learn how to engage community members through various digital techniques.
Speakers: Erin Cornett, Social Media Specialist, Meridian Township,
Kevin Neil Smith, Multimedia Producer, Independence Television and
Michelle Oliver, Multimedia Journalist, WDIV

Session IV: Joint meeting Michigan ACM and Michigan NATOA | 4:00 p.m. (March 7)

Session IV: 101 Ways to Repurpose Content with One Tool | 4:00p.m. (March 7)

An increasing number of facilities and news organizations are doing more with less; yet demand is ever increasing. How can you meet the multiple platform demands at our fingertips while staying relevant and keeping communities informed? In this season, you will learn 101 ways to repurpose content; including a handout showing how easy it is to share one story 101 different ways using one tool.
Speakers: Brandie Yates, Executive Producer, HOMTV and
Sherri Powers, Director of Marketing, TechSmith Corporation 

NATOA/ACM Speakers

Brandie Yates, Executive Producer, HOMTV

Brandie Yates is the Executive Producer at HOMTV, Meridian Township’s award-winning Government Access Channel. Not only does Brandie oversee the operations of the station and public relations of the channel, but she is responsible for planning content for all programs, evaluating and improving overall quality of the channel and developing new programming. Brandie also manages and coordinates the HOMTV Internship Program which provides intensive hands-on training for those wishing to pursue a career in multimedia television and communications. Brandie began her career at HOMTV as a reporting intern in 2007 and worked her way up to where she is today. In 2009, Brandie received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Specialization in Public Relations from Michigan State University.

Erin Cornett, Social Media Marketing/Promotions Specialist, HOMTV

Erin Cornett joined HOMTV in September of 2016 as the Social Media Specialist for the Meridian Township's Communications Department. She was born and raised in the Lansing area and graduated from Central Michigan University in 2012 with a Bachelor's of Science in Creative Writing. Erin specializes in digital and social media marketing and has worked with a wide range of businesses from Fortune 500 companies to privately owned agencies. In her professional career she has worked with event planning and promotions, worked with organizations like Travel Michigan and has been published in the Vermont Business Magazine and the Pure Michigan Blog.

Geri Alumit Zeldes, Ph.D., Professor, MSU School of Journalism

Geri Alumit Zeldes, Ph.D., a tenured Professor in Michigan State University’s School of Journalism, has a dozen best paper awards from international communication associations and 100+ honors and screenings for her documentary films and other creative scholarship that include the Dr. Suzanne Ahn Award for coverage of social justice issues from the Asian American Journalists Association, Radio Television Digital News Association Edward R. Murrow and Unity awards, two national Broadcast Education Association Best of Festival Awards, Top 25 Public Vote recognition for an exhibit in ArtPrize, three regional Emmys ®, and a handful of Society of Professional Journalists, Michigan Association of Broadcaster and Michigan Associated Press Editors’ Association awards. In October 2017, the Filipina Women's Network recognized her with a "100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award" in the category Innovator and Thought Leader. Zeldes obtains small- and mid-sized grants to support her work as well as the work of her creative teams. She was also invited to speak at two Tedx events and featured for her social justice scholarship on MSU’s “Spartans Will” campaign.

Kevin Neil Smith, Multimedia Producer, Independence Television

An avid reader of Calvin and Hobbes growing up, Kevin often displayed an aptitude for mischief. This -- matched with an affinity for artistic expression -- led to his studies at Central Michigan University's School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts (BCA), where he earned a Masters in Electronic Media Production.Before joining ITV as a writer, producer and editor, Kevin worked on a plethora of productions: during his undergrad days, he produced a travel show as well as other segments and shorts for BCA's MHTV; while pursuing his MA, he collaborated with instructors across CMU to develop and produce online coursework materials; for his MA thesis project, Kevin produced a feature-length film and accompanying documentary; and as a freelancer in the corporate arena, he worked with clients to produce commercial content. In addition, Kevin spent three years instructing courses at CMU ranging from basic studio production to advanced field production and post. Throughout all of his experiences, Kevin has maintained a passion and respect for media; and he uses that passion and respect to better serve the Clarkston community and beyond. Everyone has a story. He wants to help you tell yours.

Matt Schuster, Executive Director, Public Media Network

Matt has been working in the field of community media for more than 20 years. Most recently, Matt served as the Executive Director of TV Santa Barbara, a nonprofit media arts center serving the south coast of Santa Barbara County.  Previously, Matt was the Multimedia Services Supervisor for Louisville Metro Government where he led MetroTV to repeated recognition for Overall Excellence in Government Programming. Matt has also worked as the Cable Television Coordinator for Lake County, Illinois, and Meridian Township, Michigan and was responsible for their government media operations and cable communications policy.  Both operations were also recognized for Overall Excellence in Government Programming during his tenure. Matt is a speaker at national and regional conferences on independent media.  Matt served on the National Board of Directors of the Alliance for Community Media (ACM) for 6 years, and was the Board Chair for two of those years.  Matt has served on various regional boards for the Alliance for Community Media and currently serves on the national Board of Directors of The Foundation of the Alliance for Community Media. The Alliance for Community Media recognized Matt with the National Buske Leadership Award in 2013. Matt has taught media production at Antioch University Santa Barbara and Bellarmine University in Louisville. Matt has a Master’s Degree in Media Arts from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University.

Michelle Oliver, Multimedia Journalist, Live in the D

Michelle Oliver is a Multimedia Journalist for Live in the D, WDIV’s 10am lifestyle show. She is best known for her “Dine in the D” segments where she travels around to Metro Detroit restaurants and cooks up dishes with the chefs. One of her Dine in the D stories on a  Hungarian restaurant in Southgate, called Hungarian Rhapsody, went viral on Facebook and has earned her quite the following in Hungary. In her 4 years on Live in the D she has also covered other, non-food related stories, focusing on the positive things that are happening in Metro Detroit  –  like homegrown businesses, fashion and DIY crafts. Born and raised in Michigan, Michelle considers the Metro Detroit area home. She attended Michigan State University where she studied English with a Concentration in Film and interned at the Wharton Center in their Education department and at the government station, HOMtv. Ever since graduating she has been in the TV/Broadcast industry, working both behind the camera and in front of it.

Sherri Powers, Director of Marketing, TechSmith Corporation

Sherri Powers joined TechSmith in 2015. She is responsible for the success of TechSmith’s marketing activities, including the development and delivery of the marketing strategy, marketing tactics, and external communications relating to TechSmith’s brand and product lines. Sherri has over 10 years of experience working on strategic marketing programs within the video communications industry. Sherri started in marketing as a communications specialist after working as a journalist and editor. Sherri holds an MBA from the University of Michigan with a concentration in marketing strategy, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State.

Rina Risper, President and Publisher, The New Citizens Press

Rina Risper, is the publisher and owner of the multicultural Michigan-based newspaper, The New Citizens Press. She is also the Executive Director of The New Citizens Press Community Action Network (TNCPCAN). The mission is to raise awareness of stopping violence including domestic violence; to promote literacy programs; and to promote all forms of the arts; literary, expressive and musical. Risper received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology degree, with honors from City College of New York. She has worked for a law firm, the United Nations, a bank, the Michigan House of Representatives and an insurance company. In February 2002, The New Citizens Press debuted. It is published and distributed bi-weekly and has a readership of over 30,000 with a concentration in Michigan's Ingham County. The New Citizens Press provides readers with a wide array of information and current topics about people of all backgrounds. She also was the host of The New Perspective radio show on Michigan Business Network. She was the recipient of the Lansing Black Chamber of Commerce Community Pillar Award and the Business Excellence Award from the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. In 2017, she was recognized with the Leadership in Individual and Social Responsibility Award from Olivet College.  Most recently, TNCPCAN was awarded a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation to provide fourth through eighth graders with dictionaries and thesauri at two Lansing schools.