African Journalists Find Inspiration and Community at the Black Media Matters Studio
All Photos: Jordan Somers
Converge Media recently welcomed a group of four esteemed African journalists to the Black Media Matters Studio. These journalists, hailing from Mali, Niger, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mozambique, were visiting the United States as part of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program facilitated by the World Affairs Council. Their mission? To learn about identifying and combating disinformation and promoting media literacy.
The Visiting Journalists:
De Laure Nesmon Pie - Online Opinion Leader and Gender Campaigner, NGO Opinion Éclairée (Cote d'Ivoire)
Mamoudou Bocoum - President, Union of Free Radio and Television of Mali (URTEL) (Mali)
Jonas Tembe - Lecturer, Pedagogical University of Maputo (Mozambique)
Souleymane Oumarou Brah - Promoter and Director of Publication, "La Voix du Peuple" (Niger)
A Focus on Trust and Community
The journalists were particularly interested in Converge Media's strong community ties and how the outlet has built trust within the Black community in Seattle. They were also keen to hear about Converge Media's experiences with uncovering and combating misinformation campaigns.
Engaging Discussions and Studio Tour
The visit included a tour of the Black Media Matters Studio and thought-provoking discussions with Converge Media Co-Founder Erik Kalligraphy and Back2Besa host Besa Gordon.
Erik Kalligraphy shared his insights on building trust and the importance of integrity in journalism, stating, "You build trust as a business and as a journalist, the same way you build trust as a human. You lead everything with integrity."
Besa Gordon inspired the group with her personal journey and the power of purpose-driven storytelling. Reflecting on the experience, Besa said, "Sharing my story with these journalists and seeing their passion for truth and community was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me of why we do what we do."
The visiting journalists left with a deeper understanding of the role media plays in building community trust and combating misinformation. They were inspired by Converge Media's commitment to integrity and purpose, and they expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn and connect with fellow journalists.
Erik Kalligraphy summed up the experience by saying, "It was absolutely amazing to have people come from around the world to Converge Media and be amazed and be so interested in the things that we do. I hope they took away the importance of standing on principle and leading with integrity."
