The latest Sister Spokesman event was a testament to the resilience, creativity and determination of Black women in the media. Attendees were treated to an insightful and unfiltered conversation featuring a dynamic panel of Black women journalists, each sharing their experiences navigating an industry historically dominated by white men.
The panel featured Jasmine McBride, the new associate editor at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR); Georgia Fort, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and founder of BLCK Press; and Kiara Williams, an MSR staff writer and cultural curator. The discussion was as celebratory as it was urgent, shining a light on the barriers that persist and the victories that fuel progress.
Moderator Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the MSR, set the stage by acknowledging the struggles faced by women — especially Black women — in the media.
“We struggle as women in media when we are up against the male-dominated industry. Now it has changed over the years, but when my grandmother, Launa Newman, alongside my grandfather, Cecil Newman, started the Minnesota Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder 90 years ago, female voices were silenced, and Black voices were silenced. The world needed to be woken.”
For Fort, the need to create her own media company stemmed from the glaring lack of authentic Black representation in mainstream news. “I own a media company called BLCK Press,” she said. “We’re a three-time regional Emmy Award-winning digital news company, and we’ve been around for about five years.
“My journey actually started at KMOJ about 15 or 20 years ago,” Fort continued. “The reason why I started my company was in response to the news coverage I was seeing after George Floyd. To turn on the television, to pick up the paper, and not see our community reflected in an authentic way — it broke my heart.”
Fort highlighted the shifting landscape of journalism, where Black creators are carving out their own spaces rather than waiting for inclusion. “We don’t need these networks to tell our stories. In fact, we can tell our stories a lot more authentically by going straight to the people via social media.”
As a young editor, McBride sees her role as one of both preservation and innovation. “I’m trying to honor the roots of the legacy that MSR has been founded on while also bringing in some innovation,” she explained.
“It’s a tricky balance, especially when you only have the capacity for so much. It’s about editorial judgment — understanding which stories will create the greatest impact.”
McBride also touched on the systemic issues that shape how Black communities are represented in the media. “We see a lot of news that negatively impacts the Black community, and there’s an emphasis on that. It’s systemic. So for us, it’s about having the eye to recognize what’s relevant today and how to tell those stories in the best way.”
For Williams the challenge isn’t just access — it’s about ensuring that stories align with the mission of Black journalism.
“In my experience, my difficulty isn’t necessarily getting in contact with people — it’s getting them to see eye-to-eye with MSR’s mission,” she said. Williams recalled an instance where she was approached for an interview with a prominent tech figure. While her personal passion for technology made her excited, she had to step back and assess whether the story truly served MSR’s audience.
“Yes, you have your accolades, but how does that align with our community? Are you willing to give back? That’s the question. And when I asked that, the response was, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ And they didn’t.”
The panelists agreed that maintaining a strong editorial mission is key. Fort emphasized that media organizations like MSR and BLCK Press have to be selective in the stories they cover. “People send press releases all the time. But just because something is happening doesn’t mean it’s news or relevant to our community,” she noted.
“Why would I write about an art exhibit if my audience is worried about losing their Medicaid or HUD funding?”
The conversation was a powerful reminder of the importance of Black-owned media and the need for more spaces where Black women can lead, tell their own stories, and uplift their communities. With pioneers like Fort, McBride, and Williams at the forefront, the future of Black journalism is in capable hands — unapologetic, mission-driven, and unwavering in its commitment to truth.
Join Us for Sisters in Bloom!
Saturday, April 5 | Noon – 3 p.m.
Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) | Wells Fargo Room
Spring is in full bloom, and we’re celebrating the season with Sisters in Bloom, a vibrant Sister Spokesman event designed to inspire creativity, connection and community. Enjoy a live floral design demonstration with Jennifer Bevan of Bachman’s, fun games, and a chance to win tickets to MIA’s Giants exhibit, presented by Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys!
Ticket Details: https://spokesman-recorder.com/sister-spokesman/
$2.00 raffle tickets (advance purchase only) for a chance to win a $100 gift bag
$10.00 light luncheon meal
Tickets must be purchased in advance — no onsite sales!
Don’t miss out — grab your tickets today!
Aria Binns-Zager welcomes reader responses at abinns@spokesman-recorder.com.