Carl Reed - Chief Creative Officer, Polarity and President, Lion Forge Animation
Art McCoy - Superintendent of Schools, Jennings School District
Jennifer Kelch - Art Teacher and Fine Arts Coordinator, Jennings School District
Steenz - Cartoonist, Heart of the City
Ben Lamb - Executive Producers & Partner, Unbridled Media
Mike Walsh - Executive Producers & Partner, Unbridled Media
Aja Williams - Capital Planning Strategy Specialist at Ameren
Travis Haughton - Student, Webster University
Aliah Holman - Research and Insights Supervisor, Paradowski Creative
Micah Barnes - Student, Webster University
Ivana Solomon - Webster U
This panel discussion seeks to answer many central questions: How can schools of communication and the arts at the university level play a central role in developing young creatives from African American and other minority communities? What can we do to locate, identify, and nurture young talents? How do we facilitate the path into college, support their development as intellectual, creative, young professionals, and then help place them in professional positions and nurture career success?
How do we assure our doors are open, our outreach is seen, the opportunity is recognized and can be taken? How do we identify and nurture talent before college and aid the transition to post-secondary life? How do we make ourselves a true home away from home – a place that is supportive socially and intellectually stimulating?
What is our role working with industry partners to aid the placement of these students when they graduate and continue to support their careers?