Chicago State University (CSU) connects local film and television professionals with industry leaders during a free virtual four-day Black Media & Entertainment Industry Conference, April 27-30.
Sponsored by the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre Department at CSU, this power-packed event features keynote speaker Louis Carr, President of Media Sales for BET Networks.
Among the panelists are a host of industry creatives who got their start in Chicago including Keith Walker, award-winning DP and co-owner of MPG along with Daniel Willis whose credits include Grey’s Anatomy.
Sara Finney-Johnson 
Louis Carr 
Alisha Cowan 
Keith Walker
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On Friday, April 30th, Alisha Cowan, writer on Comedy Central’s South Side and Amazon’s Harlem will join Sara Finney-Johnson, Co-Creator and Executive Producer of many highly successful network series including Moesha and The Parkers for a discussion of screenwriting with CSU faculty member and creator of “227” Christine Houston.
On Thursday, April 29th, talent managers from Chicago’s leading advertising agencies including Edelman, Ogilvy and Leo Burnett will discuss career paths in PR and advertising. Also that day, Charles Andrew Gardner, President of Chicago SAG-AFTRA, will join CSU alumnus and Chicago actor Christopher Taylor along with CSU Assistant Professor Jerrell Henderson to assess new opportunities for actors in the city.
https://www.csu.edu/CMAT/events.htmFriday evening April 30th, award-winning film director and Chicago State Lecturer in Digital Cinema, Derek Dow, will close out the conference with a discussion of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Chicago film and television industry with Kwame Amoaku, Director of the Chicago Film Office. Industry professionals as well as media students and educators are welcome to view the complete schedule and register for free tickets through the Chicago State University website at www.csu.edu/CMAT/events.htm. For more information email: blackmediaconference@csu.edu.
