Mass Comm Day promotes entrepreneurship and entertainment

De’Arbreya Lee
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer

Jackson State University’s Department of Mass Communications held its annual Mass Communications Day celebration: “Entrepreneurship and Entertainment in a Digital World” on April 4 at the Mississippi e-Center.

Panel discussions were conducted by distinguished media practitioners and JSU alumni from all branches of the media. Some of the panelists included LaTonya Story, CEO of LPS Consulting PR; Cierra Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of CMR Agency; Jonas Adams, Production/Imaging Director MPB Radio; Tambra Cheri, Hot 97.7 radio personality; Lottie Joiner, Senior Editor of NAACP Crisis Magazine, and several others.

Robinson, a 2008 graduate of Jackson State’s mass communications department, believes that this annual event is very beneficial to the students.

“Mass Comm Day is a great tool to prepare students for the world after graduation.  It also gives the students an opportunity to hear from professionals and gain mentors and lasting connections that they can benefit from when making the transition from college to the work-force,” said Robinson.

Students also had the opportunity to receive portfolio critiques and additional information at the career and internship fair.

Adams, a 2004 graduate of JSU and panelist said, “I hope the students took at least a little something away from the day that’s going to help them get to where they need to be.  I can say that the mass communications department did an excellent job selecting the panel because they definitely shared a lot of jewels today. I hope they enjoyed it and took something away from it they can use.”

During the honors ceremony, several students were recognized for their academic excellence and journalistic contributions. Award recipients included Allison Lane, Deneisha Pearson, Jeremy Evans, Brooke Kelly, Mea Ashley, Lindsey Walker, Maurice Richardson, Darrell Lovett, and Lisa Alexander.

Richardson, a senior mass communications major Decatur, Ga., said, “It was an honor and a blessing to receive an award during my last year in the mass communications department. My four years in the department has been successful because of  the help of my professors. Receiving the JSUTV22 Service Award meant a lot to me and my mom.”