AP, theGrio join forces on race and democracy panel discussion, as 2024 election nears

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AP and theGrio have united in a collaborative effort to engage in a frank dialogue concerning the challenges confronting Black Americans in the lead-up to the 2024 election, within the context of escalating polarization. This panel discussion, aptly titled “Race and Democracy: The Facts and The Fury,” marks a historic collaboration between the nation’s oldest wire service and the multimedia platform of Allen Media Group. The discussion will be broadcast on both APNews.com and theGrio.com, scheduled for Wednesday at 12 p.m. Eastern, with a subsequent airing on theGrio Television Network Series “TheGrio with Marc Lamont Hill” at 7:30 p.m. ET.

In a climate where many within the Black community lament the absence of fair and humane representation across media, the significance of legacy news outlets such as AP delivering unvarnished truths backed by empirical data cannot be overstated. As Aaron Morrison, the editor of AP’s race and ethnicity team, underscores, the foundation of our democracy hinges on responsible journalism that does not shy away from addressing issues of race, racism, and white supremacy.

This collaborative endeavor was initiated by the Allen Media Group during the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Las Vegas in 2022. Lisa Matthews, AP’s Planning Editor for U.S. News, took the lead in orchestrating these discussions, which culminated in a joint commitment to this project following consultations with AP’s race and ethnicity editors and reporters.

Lisa Matthews emphasizes that while the editorial approaches of AP and theGrio may diverge, their shared objective is to expand knowledge and enlighten their respective audiences. This joint panel represents a significant stride toward achieving that goal, particularly in an era marked by considerable uncertainty within the nation.

The panel boasts a distinguished lineup of experts, including Aaron Morrison, Ayanna Alexander (AP’s race and voting reporter), Dr. Christina Greer (a political scientist and host of “Blackest Questions” on theGrio Black Podcast Network), and Dr. Marc Lamont Hill (anchor of “TheGrio with Marc Lamont Hill”). Noreen Nasir, AP’s national race and ethnicity team video journalist, will serve as the moderator.

Geraldine Moriba, senior vice president of News, Entertainment & Empowerment at the Allen Media Group, underscores the significance of this partnership in the context of being stewards of an influential industry. She emphasizes that representation is not a gift but a fundamental right, a principle championed by historical figures like Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass. Moriba underscores their role as torchbearers in today’s essential dialogues, dedicated to examining the challenges facing American democracy.

It is important to note that the Allen Media Group’s theGrio is a member of The Big Big News, further emphasizing the unity and collective effort in addressing critical issues impacting Black Americans as the 2024 election approaches.

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• AP News
• theGrio
• National Association of Black Journalists
• Allen Media Group
• Race and Democracy: The Facts and The Fury