Over the years, David Honig has been a vocal advocate for increasing the number of minority broadcast owners and for identifying opportunities for capital to purchase properties.   His Minority Media and Telecommunications Council is at the forefront of key legislative issues affecting broadcast media. During the “I Am My Own Boss” panel at the Unity Journalists of Color Conference, Honig took no prisoners when he highlighted that diversity in media companies is at its worse levels in more than two decades.   He remains undeterred by the dismal numbers, and says anybody who has just been let go needs to be strategic and take advantage of the opportunities:

* Retrain. Take this time to retool.  Get a Master’s Degree in a specialty area. Take classes to learn more about digital media, the internet and other skills that could make you more marketable.

* Take advantage of market opportunities.  Buy a TV or radio station.  Become an owner.  Check in with MMTC or the NAB [National Association of Broadcasters] to find out how you make that move.

* Work with ethnic media locally or nationally.  Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and other media are usually always looking for contributions. Reach out to them and let them know you’d like to work with them.

* Visit Washington, DC. Visit foreign embassies and let them know you worked for the media and you want to help their media in some way, e.g. writing, editing, layout, TV production.

* Start your own website.  The technology is so accessible today. Just do it, don’t be afraid.

* Use your experience and expertise to start your own business.  You know more than the average person. Take advantage of it.

* Take your story to Hollywood. You all have wonderful ideas and are talented writers. Talk to some producers and you may be surprised how you might be able to turn your writing talents into a screenplay.

Now, read more from our panelists:

Sidmel Estes-Sumpter and Janice Bryant Howroyd.

After 27 years as a broadcast executive, Sidmel Estes-Sumpter unexpectedly was offered a buyout about 18 months ago.  She admits she was shocked, depressed and truly felt kicked to the curb.  In her words, she and ‘chardonnay’ become real good friends.

With the help of her friends and faith, she picked herself up. She created a consulting business drawing off her expertise on understanding the media.  Her company, BreakThrough Inc. specializes in helping firms fine tune their messages for the media. She makes a clear distinction: “I’m not out to do just PR, but help people understand what the media are looking for when they’re trying to decide which stories to cover.”

Estes-Sumpter mailed a letter to everyone she knew to let them know she was now on her own and looking for business.   She was amazed at the results.  People got back to her offering encouragement and even inviting her to pitch her business.

Estes-Sumpter says she is still learning and has some rough days when the phone is not ringing and the invoices are not getting paid.  She offers this advice:

* Know yourself  - Understand what you like and don’t like to do.

* Control Yourself - Emotions run high when you’ve just left a job or career that you took for granted would always be there. Be strong.

* Know others - Network, network, network.

* Do something for others - You weren’t successful by yourself so reach out, give back and feel good about yourself.

Now, read more from our panelists:

David Honig & Janice Bryant Howroyd.

During the Unity Journalists of Color Conference last week, the panelists on the “I Am My Own Boss” seminar set out to ease the fears and inspire the anxioius group of journalists attending the 8:30am session.

As moderator of the 90-minute session, my goal was to make sure we provided some practical advice to anyone who is currently running their own business, has recently been laid off or bought out or is just trying to plan for the future.  What was clear during the conference is that while there is a great deal of enthusaism about the craft of journalism and its mission, there is an equal amount of anxiety about the future of the industry.  That sentiment is echoed by media executives, veteran editors/reporters/producers and young journalists.

Thanks to Sidmel Estes-Sumpter, president of BreakThrough and veteran broadcast executive; David Honig, executive director, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council and the panel’s sponsor, Janice Bryant Howroyd, president and CEO of Act*1 Personnel Services and author of an upcoming book, “The Art of Work, How t Use What You Got to Get What You Want”.  

In three posts, you’ll read the advice of each of the panelists.  What’s clear from each expert is that they are driven to succeed by their desire to make an impact in what they do and to help others.  What’s critical are five basic steps:

* Take out a blank sheet of paper now and write down what you’re good at and what you need to do better.

* On another sheet of paper, write down a simple personal mission statement that describes what you personally want to accomplish with your life.

* Create a ‘board of advisors’ that become your mentors.  These are friends, family or colleagues who you can share ideas, brainstorm and who will challenge you to think and exceed your limits.

* Open your mind to the possibilities. Free yourself of your fears to explore what’s possible, and you’ll be amazed at how excited about your future you’ll be.

Now, read more from our panelists:

Sidmel Estes-Sumpter, David Honig & Janice Bryant Howroyd.

Some useful books:

JOUR 3340 – Fall 2008 – Student Websites

Arlinda Arriaga http://arriagawordspill.wordpress.com/

Geoffrey Brown http://gwb0037.wordpress.com/

Whitney Buster http://whitneybusterbloggin.wordpress.com

Kirsten Calogero http://calogerok.wordpress.com/

Juana Cardenas http://juanasays.wordpress.com/

Matthew Conner http://mdc0133.wordpress.com
AJ Crisp http://ajc0134.wordpress.com/my-hw/

Jena Johnson jenanjohnson.wordpress.com

Don Mooney http://damoonman.wordpress.com

Bryan Shettig http://bryanshettig.wordpress.com/

Paden Smith padensmith.wordpress.com

Victoria Smithee http://vnsmithee.wordpress.com/

Paige Wilkerson http://pkwilkerson05.wordpress.com