The Sidebar by NYABJ

New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ)
  • 5.0 (6)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The Sidebar by NYABJ is a show about the world of media, through the lens of Black media-makers. Each episode will feature honest conversations with journalists, content creators, advocates, trailblazers and new voices alike - talking about what it really takes to keep our communities informed and engaged. Subscribe now to join us as we look behind the figurative curtain for insights - straight from the source. The Sidebar is a production of the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ), the Greater New York chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the world’s largest organization for journalists of color. For more information, visit www.nyabj.org.

  1. Allison Davis: The Power of Being "Unmanageable"

    4D AGO

    Allison Davis: The Power of Being "Unmanageable"

    In this episode of The Sidebar, media pioneer ALLISON DAVIS sits down with hosts JEWEL BENTON and LISA DURDEN for a compelling conversation about news, media, and community. She shares how she found herself at the center of multiple turning points in American journalism, her stint in the Black Panther Party, what it meant to be “unmanageable” as a young Black woman producer, the growing crisis of trust in news, and her advice for the next generation of journalists trying to tell our stories and survive in 2026 and beyond. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    1 hr
  2. Unapologetic and Unfiltered: A Conversation with Multimedia Journalist Lisa Durden

    FEB 5

    Unapologetic and Unfiltered: A Conversation with Multimedia Journalist Lisa Durden

    In this episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, host MICHAEL RAY sits down for a energetic conversation with multi-faceted media maker (and fellow Sidebar contributor) LISA DURDEN. Her journey began at Seton Hall University and in the grassroots world of local access television, but her sharp wit and uncompromising perspective quickly propelled her to one level after another over the years. This interview explores her incredible resilience, her accomplishments as an award-winning producer and documentarian, and illustrates how she uses her platform to challenge the status quo and amplify marginalized voices while remaining unapologetically authentic. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    53 min
  3. LIVE: Beyond the Newsroom - Non-Traditional Careers in Media and Journalism

    JAN 22

    LIVE: Beyond the Newsroom - Non-Traditional Careers in Media and Journalism

    Do you think a career in journalism starts and ends at the news desk? Think again. In this episode of The Sidebar by NYABJ, we explore exciting career paths in media and journalism that exist well beyond the traditional newsroom setting. From our panel in December 2025, then-NYABJ President BONITA SOSTRE hosted a trio of established professionals to uncover the reality of working in alternative media roles. She speaks with KIM HAAS, host and executive producer of PBS' "AfroLatina Travels with Kim Haas", Emmy-award winning producer and content strategist MICHAEL BARBER, and live events marketing production executive GIDEON MONCRIEFFE about their journey to forge their own paths using the skills they've developed in journalism. (Note: This episode was recorded on December 3rd, 2025) --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    57 min
  4. Building Through Uncertainty: Reflections on the Media Industry & Creative Careers with Blackweek’s Co-Founder

    JAN 8

    Building Through Uncertainty: Reflections on the Media Industry & Creative Careers with Blackweek’s Co-Founder

    In a year marked by profound instability across media and advertising - including mass layoffs, shrinking newsrooms, and disproportionate job losses among Black professionals - this episode offers a grounding, timely conversation for Black mediamakers and creatives seeking insights, affirmation, and real tools for what comes next. Producer CAROLYN ADAMS sits down with WALTER T. GEER III, Chief Creative Officer of Innovation at VML and co-founder of Blackweek, to talk about the fast-growing economic forum and festival bringing together leading voices from media, tech, marketing, entertainment, finance, art, and beyond to explore all things culture, creativity, and the future of work. He shares how he and his fellow co-founders managed to press forward and host the event for a successful second year in the current climate, the partnerships that helped make it possible, and their vision for the future. They also talk about strategies for navigating layoffs and searching for that next opportunity, the A.I. learning curve, the risk associated with advocacy work, and the importance of trust-building and authenticity in creative spaces. Learn more about Blackweek at www.blackweek.co --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    31 min
  5. Signing Off: Exit Interviews with NYABJ President Bonita Sostre and Vice President Bill Allen

    12/18/2025

    Signing Off: Exit Interviews with NYABJ President Bonita Sostre and Vice President Bill Allen

    The Sidebar concludes its fourth dynamic season with interviews featuring the outgoing leadership of the New York Association of Black Journalists. The Sidebar’s JEWEL BENTON sits down individually with the current/outgoing President BONITA SOSTRE, and Vice President, BILL ALLEN, who each served two terms, to discuss their paths to leading the award-winning chapter. They share personal reflections, industry perspectives, advice for the incoming executive board, and a look ahead at what’s next. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    38 min
  6. The Studio Museum: Harlem's Artistic Hub Returns

    12/04/2025

    The Studio Museum: Harlem's Artistic Hub Returns

    After a seven-year wait, a cornerstone of Black art and culture has returned home. In this episode, The Sidebar's WILL PATTERSON takes us inside the highly anticipated re-opening of The Studio Museum in Harlem. Originally established in 1968 in a rented loft as the first museum dedicated to African-American art, the institution has grown into a powerhouse featuring hundreds of pieces in its permanent collection and a world-renowned artist-in-residence program. Will sits down with Chief Program Officer NATASHA L. LOGAN to discuss the museum’s rich history, the years-long journey of the reconstruction, and how this new architectural marvel will shape the future of their mission and the neighborhood of Harlem at large. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    24 min
  7. Jayne Kennedy Reclaims Her Narrative

    10/23/2025

    Jayne Kennedy Reclaims Her Narrative

    Becoming the first Black anything in environments rife with racism is far from easy, but trailblazing journalist and actress JAYNE KENNEDY has done it not just once but three separate times. Kennedy made history as the first Black Miss Ohio in 1970, the first Black woman to anchor NFL Today in the 1970s and the first woman of any race to host Greatest Sports Legends in the 1980s. Not to mention her award-winning acting career rubbing elbows with other stars like Sammy Davis Jr. and her status as an icon of Black beauty and excellence. The newly crowned NABJ Lifetime Achievement Award winner shares her remarkable story in her recently released memoir "Plain Jayne". In it, she takes back her narrative and legacy after a sex tape scandal led her into seclusion for years. In an inspiring conversation with the Sidebar’s KIZZY COX, Kennedy discusses her life, lessons and the steps she took on her way back into the well-deserved spotlight. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    1h 2m
  8. Before I Let You Go: Lessons from Angelo Ellerbee

    10/09/2025

    Before I Let You Go: Lessons from Angelo Ellerbee

    This engaging conversation is led by public relations guru of more than five decades, ANGELO ELLERBEE, who works with legends like Dionne Warwick and Melba Moore, and developed the likes of Lionel Richie, Shabba Ranks, Mary J Blige, DMX, and even Michael Jackson, to name a few. Speaking with The Sidebar/NYABJ’s own JEWEL BENTON, Ellerbee discusses his impactful book "Before I Let You Go", emphasizing the importance of self-improvement, community support, and the challenges faced in the entertainment industry. He shares personal anecdotes about his family, the significance of education and reading, and the need for political awareness and activism. Throughout the discussion, Ellerbee highlights the power of love, encouragement, and the collective strength of the community. --------- The opinions heard in this episode belong to the individuals who made them and not to NYABJ. Music by HoliznaRAPS. For more information on the New York Association of Black Journalists, please visit our website at www.nyabj.org.

    55 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Sidebar by NYABJ is a show about the world of media, through the lens of Black media-makers. Each episode will feature honest conversations with journalists, content creators, advocates, trailblazers and new voices alike - talking about what it really takes to keep our communities informed and engaged. Subscribe now to join us as we look behind the figurative curtain for insights - straight from the source. The Sidebar is a production of the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ), the Greater New York chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the world’s largest organization for journalists of color. For more information, visit www.nyabj.org.

Information

  • Creator
    New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ)
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Sidebar by NYABJ