FAMU Journalism School and Dow Jones News Fund Make History With Inaugural ACE Broadcast Bootcamp This Week
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The award-winning Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) will make history this week, March 20-22, as it hosts its inaugural Accelerating Career Excellence (ACE) Broadcast Bootcamp. The three-day immersive journalism program gathers some of the nation’s top news and media experts to train the next generation of multimedia journalists.
Students at FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication gain hands-on experience
through yearly programs like ACE, Grads Are Back, and Living-Learning Communities.
Sponsored by the Dow Jones News Fund, which has prepared thousands of journalists who have advanced to prestigious careers, the program is designed to enhance students’ skills, strengthen their portfolios, and equip them with lifelong tools to help them excel in their careers.
Nearly 20 student participants will receive one-on-one mentoring as well as career advancement and technical training. With the help of mentors, they will tackle real-life reporting challenges, participate in résumé critiques, and build capstone projects. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a special certificate to help them stand out as they prepare to enter the workforce.
“We are thrilled to offer students this experiential learning opportunity to elevate their skills and gain real-world expertise,” said FAMU SJGC Dean Mira Lowe. “Our professional mentors and alumni will provide invaluable coaching and job readiness support to prepare students for successful careers in media.”
The distinguished FAMU SJGC alumni serving as inaugural mentors include:
- Lanetra Bennett (‘00), morning and midday anchor, WCTV, Tallahassee
- Damany Lewis (‘00), morning anchor, WSOC, Charlotte
- Rod Carter (‘90), evening anchor, WNCN, Raleigh
- Denise Hendricks (‘92), executive producer, MSNBC
- Elise Durham (‘91), assistant general manager of marketing, communications and public affairs, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Mariah Wiggs (‘22), multimedia journalist, WHNT, Huntsville
- Saundra Weathers (‘09), reporter-anchor, Spectrum Bay News 9, Tampa
"The ACE Bootcamp will empower our students with the knowledge that broadcast journalism is about more than reporting the news—it’s about informing, engaging, and making an impact in the community too," said Carter, who also serves as chair of the bootcamp. "We’re committed to preparing young journalists to thrive in an ever-evolving media landscape."
Special guests and award-winning journalism professionals will also engage with students to offer them industry insights, including:
- Ken Lemon, president, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
- Kim Godwin (‘84), former president, ABC News and chair, FAMU SJGC Board of Visitors
- Lentheus Chaney, multimedia journalist, WTXL
- Steve Osunsami, senior national correspondent, ABC News
“The Dow Jones News Fund is proud to partner with the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication to sponsor this inaugural bootcamp, which aligns closely with our mission to prepare the next generation of journalists,” said Shirley Carswell, executive director of the Dow Jones News Fund. “The News Fund is committed to building a robust news media staffed by well-trained journalists who reflect America’s diversity and are dedicated to a free press.”
Media Contact & More Information:
Rachel James-Terry
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
theacebootcamp.com
About FAMU SJGC
The award-winning FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) is one of the premier historically Black college and university (HBCU) journalism, visual, and mass communications programs in the country. Founded in 1982, it is the first program of its kind at an HBCU to receive national accreditation. FAMU SJGC is committed to preparing students for successful careers in journalism, public relations, and graphic communication. With a strong focus on experiential learning and professional mentorship, SJGC equips students with the skills necessary to excel in media industries.
About the Dow Jones News Fund
The Dow Jones News Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting careers in journalism through training programs, internships, and scholarships. By fostering newsroom diversity and providing skills-based development, the fund plays a vital role in preparing aspiring journalists for the evolving media landscape.
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