Unlocking New Business Growth Opportunities through Partnerships with Black-Owned Media

Empowering BIPOC Communities: Unlocking New Business Growth Opportunities through Partnerships with Black-Owned Media – A Conversation with the Black Owned Media Equity & Sustainability Institute (BOMESI).

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The concept of a media collective/network model is emerging as a vital means to sustain and support BIPOC local news and information, which in turn strengthens communities. This model emphasizes the development of collective power among publishers who are governed by, sustained by, and reflective of the communities they serve.

A prime example of this model in action is the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI). Co-founded by DéVon Christopher Johnson and Rhonesha Byng, BOMESI has made significant strides in bolstering diverse and multicultural communities. It achieves this by supporting, providing resources to, and investing in Black-owned media outlets, which have long been pillars for Black communities.

The importance of directing advertising dollars to Black-owned media cannot be overstressed. Local businesses can harness the power of Black-owned media, not only to ensure a meaningful return on investment but also to support publishers of color, thereby contributing to their sustainability.

In  this masterclass, we will discuss:

1. Unlocking Value for Businesses and Brands: We explore how corporations, small businesses, organizations, brands, advertisers, and companies can derive value for their businesses or brands by investing in Black-owned media.
2. Meaningful Impact through Support: How organizations can have meaningful impact by supporting underrepresented communities; including bridging the information gap for underserved communities and strengthening investments in Black-owned media.
3. Community Support and Sustainability: We will examine how local communities can support publishers, ensuring their sustainability, and driving equity and sustainability that consciously includes Black-owned media.

Join us to discover how your engagement and investment in Black-owned media can foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable media landscape

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Speakers:
Rhonesha Byng; is a visionary entrepreneur and media luminary who has revolutionized millennial women’s empowerment through her digital platform Her Agenda, guided by the philosophy of “No one Ever Slows Her Agenda.” Byng’s trailblazing spirit has earned her recognition from prestigious organizations like Forbes, ESSENCE, and NBCBLK, and she has shared her insights on investing in diverse voices and creating an equitable media landscape at events like Google and Cannes. As a field producer at NBC New York, Byng contributed to an Emmy award-winning team’s breaking news coverage, and her journalism work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the New York Association of Black Journalists. Byng’s dedication extends to co-founding the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI), an organization advancing Black-owned media businesses and driving transformative change. 

DéVon Christopher Johnson; is the co-founder of BOMESI and the Founder/CEO of BleuLife Media Group. He has leveraged his marketing and communications expertise to build BleuLife from a single publication into a successful multimedia company serving diverse audiences globally, including through partnerships with major Fortune 100 companies. Before founding BleuLife Media Group, Johnson worked in the entertainment industry at Def Jam Records and progressed to Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Atlantic Records, collaborating on projects for artists like Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, Trey Songz, and Rihanna. Driven by the belief that “he who controls the media controls the mind,” Johnson is committed to empowering young people of color through positive media representation.

Adedayo Fashanu  O.; is a distinguished media entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of The African Network TV (TANTV), a media technology company with a vision to advance and elevate the inclusion of the black & diverse multicultural diaspora in American society. TANTVSTUDIOS publication is championing smart journalism within the African/multicultural and immigrant diaspora. Her work, deeply influenced by her own immigrant experience from Nigeria to the U.S at fifteen, focuses on amplifying the voices of African/multicultural change-makers and business owners, as evidenced by her contributions to Forbes U30 and HuffPost. Fashanu’s commitment to social impact through media is further highlighted by her coverage of significant global events, including the White House and United Nations General Assemblies, and her advocacy for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. An award-winning TV producer, she has been recognized for her work with the Community Access award in 2019 for producing “Africa’s Triumph,” showcasing her dedication to increasing positive representation and driving sustainability through media.