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Press Freedom Cincinnati: A Traveling Tour

Press Freedom Cincinnati with Franki, Thanks PEN AmericaIn celebration of African American History Month and in support of local journalism, PEN America Member and community organizer Franki Butler-Kidd will lead a weekend of press freedom events in and around Cincinnati, calling attention to issues of local concern and working to facilitate conversations between community members and local journalists.


Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 10:00am at Six Acres Bed & Breakfast
Enjoy a delicious soul-fused breakfast and hear from renowned civil rights attorney David Singleton, who also serves as the executive director at Ohio Justice & Policy Center. Singleton will share a message on the importance of a healthy media and community relationship. His lecture, “Media, Race, and Narratives,” will share the inspiring story of how staff at Ohio Justice & Policy Institute have built a healthy relationship with local and national media, helping to communicate the important work of OJPC, which supports positive social change and press freedom—and how other community advocates and leaders can replicate this model.

This breakfast is free to attend and open to community organizers, media, and civic engagement leaders who are enthusiastic about promoting press freedom defense and facilitating open dialogue at the local level. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here »


Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 2:00-4:00pm
Stops on the traveling press freedom tour, where volunteers will be distributing materials, may include the Avondale statue mural, strip shopping malls, local churches, Freedom Center, Gabriel’s place, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe house.


Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 6:00pm at Six Acres Bed & Breakfast
After a traveling tour of volunteers and local journalists, there will will be a reception and fireside chat with historian, former Atlanta Councilman and WAOK radio “Too Much Truth” host Dr. Derrick Boazman.

From slavery to modern times, there have been journalist and media outlets that have served both as a source of local news and model for how to be civically engaged, as well as a source of support for social justice issues and other local concerns that directly impact the community. Many of these news organizations face challenges in how to reach the communities they seek to serve, and many marginalized communities and communities of color are eager to strengthen their relationship with local journalists and news organizations.

Dr. Boazman will share recommendations and techniques on how to foster more trusting, honest relationships with the media as a way to ensure accurate representation, and on how the story they want to share achieves both a wide reach and accurate, balanced coverage.

The reception and fireside chat are FREE and open to the public. Please join us at 6:00pm for a reception; the lecture will begin promptly at 7:00pm followed by a brief Q&A. All are welcome! If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here »