UHD Hosts Race Barriers In The Media Panel
By Paige Caldwell
In observance of Black History Month, the University of Houston-Downtown's (UHD) Communication Studies Department along with the Center for Critical Race Studies (CCRS) is hosting “The Black Factor," 1- 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 in the Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium
The event will feature keynote speaker Isiah Carey of Fox 26’s "The Isiah Factor Uncensored" and a panel discussion with assistant professors of communication studies and CCRS Fellows, Dr. Creshema Murray and Dr. Felicia Harris. The panel will cover the topic “Overcoming Barriers to Black Representation in Media.”
"This is a very important conversation to have, especially right now during Black History Month," UHD communication lecturer Abigail Koenig noted. "The media industry is still largely dominated by white men and we need better representation that is closer to the make-up of our country. This panel is a way to get more diverse voices heard and open the table for discussion."
The event is organized in conjunction with the bi-annual speaker series hosted by the Communication Studies Department and A+CE initiative. A reception with light refreshments will immediately follow in the Coffee House area near UHD's Robertson Auditorium.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
