Cheryl Owsley Jackson

Meet Cheryl Jackson: A Journey Through Journalism and InclusionFrom the heart of the media world to the halls of academia, Cheryl Jackson has embarked on a remarkable odyssey dedicated to the principles of journalism, the art of storytelling, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion. Let's embark on a narrative journey through a career spanning over two decades.

The Media School at Indiana University 

In the picturesque surroundings of Bloomington, Indiana, Cheryl Jackson currently serves as the Visiting Senior Journalist-In-Residence at The Media School at Indiana University. For the past two years, she has been shaping the next generation of storytellers, guiding students through the intricacies of the media landscape. As an educator, she has taken the lead in four distinctive courses, each with its unique focus:

Reporting on Race, Media, and Justice: Delving deep into the complex intersections of race, justice, and the media.

Broadcast News: Nurturing budding journalists to become the voices of truth in the broadcast realm.

Story Lab #2: teaching a groundbreaking class that introduces students to the foundational techniques of storytelling across diverse platforms, including print, video, audio, web, and social media.

Racial and Cultural Stereotypes in TV Programming: Challenging stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive media landscape.

As a fervent advocate for diversity, Cheryl has led the student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and actively participated in a series of enlightening diversity panels. Her contributions have included moderating a panel of accomplished alumni for Media Career Day, serving as a panelist for the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, Great Lakes, alongside fellow Indiana broadcasters, and facilitating a thought-provoking public discussion about race and the media with distinguished veterans like Chicago broadcaster Monroe Anderson and Emmy-Award winning director Stephen Lucas at the media school.

Adding to her already impressive portfolio, Cheryl is currently engrossed in the creation of a justice documentary, partnering with a production crew affiliated with the media giant Netflix.

Emerson College 

Cheryl enriched the vibrant academic community at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, during her tenure as a Senior Journalist-In-Residence. In this role, she shaped the minds of young journalists by leading seven new classes, including one she conceived, "Reporting on Diversity." This innovative course was a testament to her deep-seated expertise in diversity issues, which she had honed over the years.

The realm of journalism is diverse, and so is her teaching portfolio. While video and digital reporting have been her primary focus, she also engaged in editing print and web stories. She skillfully coached students through various facets of the profession, from anchoring and producing shows of specific interest to mastering reporting and live shot techniques.

Under her expert guidance, Emerson graduate students created impactful breaking news packages. She entrusted her students with capturing the essence of a tragic shooting at a local gas station. From filming and interviewing witnesses to providing compelling look-live shots, she facilitated comprehensive hands-on learning experiences.

Her dedication to a diverse and inclusive media landscape is evident in the work of her undergraduate students. For instance, she encouraged her students to localize the devastating Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting by engaging with local clergy, Jewish community members, and even the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.

In addition, her freshman reporting students embarked on transformative journeys, venturing into a homeless shelter and a recently opened marijuana distillery. These experiences served as a foundation for the students' deeper exploration of digital journalism, instilling in them the fundamental principles of the profession.

Northwestern University/Medill News Service (August 2010 - July 2018)

Before her tenure at Emerson College, Cheryl made a significant impact at Northwestern University/Medill News Service. This phase of her career took her to the bustling streets of Chicago, Illinois, and later, the political epicenter of Washington, D.C.

At the Medill News Service, she took on the pivotal role of Video News Director/Editor. In the heart of Chicago, she passionately educated students in the art of skilled print, audio, and video storytelling. Her guidance was instrumental in preparing the next generation of journalists for the complexities of the modern media landscape.

In 2017, she embarked on a new chapter, relocating to the Washington bureau of the Medill News Service. Here, she oversaw the historic broadcast exposure of Medill reporters as they made appearances on air in 21 different news markets across the nation, including top-ten markets. Her dedication to the educational development of students extended beyond the boundaries of traditional broadcasting, as she imparted skills that enabled students to create compelling video stories for a wide range of media outlets.

Diversity, balance, and impartiality have always been her guiding lights. In her role at Medill, she emphasized the removal of biases and instilled the ethical principles of fairness and balance in her students. She trained aspiring reporters to craft engaging stories that began with a newsworthy pitch and unfolded into narratives that highlighted the relevance of various characters, all while maintaining unwavering commitment to ethical journalism.

CNN, Freelance Correspondent 

Cheryl ventured into the bustling newsroom of CNN in Chicago as a correspondent. However, even before her first day at work, the newsroom underwent a transformative reorganization, leading to the dismissal of many staff members, including the news director who had initially brought her on board. Undeterred, she embraced the challenge and continued as a freelance correspondent, showcasing resilience and unwavering commitment to journalism.

As a correspondent for the Chicago bureau, she navigated the diverse news landscape spanning Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, covering a broad spectrum of stories.

WRTV-6 (January 2007 - June 2009)

Her journalistic journey led her to Indianapolis, Indiana, where she served as a Reporter with a focus on general assignments and stories related to diversity issues. She tackled stories that specifically shed light on disability issues, advocating for more inclusive storytelling.

What role will impeachment hearings play in the 2020 election? How is the Democratic primary race influencing President Trump’s poll ratings? Does any Democratic presidential candidate beside the three frontrunners have a chance? How will Democratic Party rule changes influence primary delegations? What surprises might we anticipate?

These were the issues discussed last week, exactly one year out from the 2020 election, by Emerson faculty, students, alumni, and friends gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The evening featured a panel of alumni and faculty experts, including:

• Susan Del Percio ’90, MA ’91, founder and principal of Susan Del Percio Strategies, MSNBC political analyst
• Larry Rasky ’78, chairman and CEO of Rasky Partners, former Biden campaign staffer and current treasurer of the Unite the Country Super-PAC.
• Cheryl Owsley-Jackson, Emerson College journalist-in-residence, former Washington DC video news director for Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
• Spencer Kimball, Political Communication assistant professor at Emerson, director of Emerson Polling
• Kathleen Kendall, research professor at University of Maryland, professor emerita at University of Albany, SUNY

 



The Indiana School of Journalism teamed up with the National Press Club to look at the future of the news media and how to protect its core values in special forum at IUPUI.

Dennis Ryerson, Indianapolis Star, Cheryl Jackson, WRTV
As part of its 100th anniversary, the National Press Club is presenting “The Centennial Forum on The First Amendment, Freedom of the Press and the Future of Journalism" around the country. 


 

 





• The origins and persistence of institutional racism in the U.S., and how its driven by individual racism
• The legacy and manifestation of white privilege
• The definition and nuances of racism, and what we get wrong about it
• What white people can do to understand and combat racism



WSBT-TV/ South Bend Tribune 

In the picturesque city of South Bend, Indiana, Cheryl made a significant impact by contributing to both the local TV news station (WSBT) and the local newspaper (The South Bend Tribune). This dual role was a testament to her versatility as a journalist. Her daily tasks included filing on-air reports for WSBT and skillfully transforming them into print versions for The Tribune. She also captured the essence of the stories through skillful photography, ensuring that the essence of the narrative was conveyed effectively.

WFIU-Radio, NPR 

In the heart of Bloomington, Indiana, she served as a Reporter at WFIU-Radio, an affiliate of NPR. This was a pivotal stage in her career, as she embraced the intricacies of local news reporting, with a particular emphasis on Columbus, Indiana, her own hometown. Leveraging her diverse background, she strived to provide an extended diversity and multicultural perspective through her reporting. Several of her stories received national recognition, with one report on a white supremacy group protesting at the Indiana Statehouse gaining extended rotation on NPR stations across the nation.

The Republic Newspaper 

For a decade, Cheryl contributed to The Republic Newspaper in Columbus, Indiana. She served as a Columnist/Features Reporter and wrote a captivating diversity newspaper column entitled "It Takes All Kinds." Through this column, she harnessed the power of storytelling to champion the value of diversity. Her writing offered readers an opportunity to experience prejudice, racism, and the resilience of those who had been affected by it. The ultimate goal was to foster cultural awareness and promote diversity.

Bartholomew County Schools

Her commitment to diversity was not limited to journalism. As a Diversity Coordinator in Columbus, Indiana, she designed and spearheaded various initiatives aimed at bridging cultural divides and fostering a sense of understanding and inclusion within the community. Some of her notable accomplishments included:

Ruby Payne/Understanding Poverty: Training teachers, city officials, police, and fire officers in understanding the codes of poverty and addressing racial misunderstandings.

Understanding American Culture Transition: Developing and conducting a 6-week training program that provided insights into the rules, manners, and social expectations within American business for professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Notable clients included Toyota and Cummins Engine Company.

The journey of Cheryl Jackson is a testament to a life dedicated to the art of storytelling, the pursuit of truth, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion. From the bustling newsrooms of major media outlets to the nurturing classrooms of academic institutions, her commitment to fairness, balance, and impartiality in journalism has left an indelible mark on the industry and countless aspiring journalists.

Cheryl was honored, along with other African American activists from her hometown of Columbus, Indiana, for her years of diversity and justice work in the community by the Leaders of the African American Fund of Bartholomew County. The exhibit “Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy, Reframed and Exhibited," was on display at the Columbus Commons.

Cheryl Jackson interviews Mellody Hobson of Ariel Mutual Funds. Hobson is a regular contributor on financial issues for ABC's Good Morning America.

Click here for "For Chicago Tonight Video

 



Univision DC  

 

\