Media Mentors 2026 Speakers
Sessions run from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus. Session locations will be announced soon. The registration link for these sessions will be available in late 2025.
Friday, February 6, 2026
“The New Face of Credibility: Building Trust in the Age of Personality-Driven News”
In today’s media landscape, audience trust is no longer anchored solely in traditional institutions — it’s increasingly built through transparency, authenticity and personal connection. This session explores how credibility is established in personality-driven spaces like TikTok, where visual style, tone and consistency play key roles in audience perception. Participants will examine how the standards of journalistic trust are evolving, what signals credibility on emerging platforms and how young journalists can build trustworthy personal brands while maintaining ethical standards. The session will also compare how misinformation spreads versus how credible voices break through, equipping students with strategies for building trust in decentralized, digital-first environments.
The speaker for this session is Brett Kenyon, a digital storyteller known to thousands online as Papa Mississippi. With a following of more than 100,000 on TikTok, Kenyon uses short-form video to spotlight Mississippi’s untold stories, overlooked history and everyday culture. Blending journalism, humor and heart, his work shows how social media can be a powerful platform for education and connection. Through his content, Kenyon challenges viewers to think critically about truth, place and the power of storytelling in the digital age.
Friday, February 27, 2026
“Staying Power: How Credibility and Ethics Build a Career That Lasts”
In an era of rapid turnover and shifting audience loyalties, some journalists earn the rare distinction of becoming trusted fixtures in their communities. This session will explore how long-term credibility is built — not just through delivering the news, but through ethical consistency, personal responsibility and community connection. Attendees will learn how trust is earned over time, how ethical decision-making impacts career resilience and why credibility is still a journalist’s most powerful asset. The session will offer insights into how to navigate high-stakes stories, manage public perception and maintain professionalism in the face of changing platforms and pressures.
The speaker for this session is Maggie Wade, a news anchor at WLBT in Jackson. Wade, a native of Crystal Springs, is an Emmy-nominated journalist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi College and began her broadcast career in college radio before joining WLBT as a student. She now co-anchors the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Wade’s distinguished career has earned her numerous honors, including induction into the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. She has received more than 500 other recognitions, including the Angel in Adoption award from the U.S. Congress and Woman of the Year from the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women. Beyond broadcasting, she has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Mississippi Blood Services Board of Directors. Wade was also an adjunct professor at Belhaven University.
Friday, March 27, 2026
“Forecasting Trust: Communicating Urgency, Accuracy, and Empathy in Weather Reporting”
Weather is one of the most immediate and high-impact forms of journalism, especially in regions vulnerable to severe storms. This session explores how modern meteorologists blend science communication with storytelling, digital engagement and public service. With a focus on real-time urgency and audience trust, students will learn what it takes to break down complex data for the public, build credibility before disaster strikes, and use social media creatively and responsibly during crises. This mentor will also discuss the unique role young journalists can play in using energy, authenticity and clarity to connect with a wide audience, particularly younger viewers who rely on digital platforms for critical information.
The speaker for this session is Taylor Graham, a meteorologist for WLOX in Biloxi. Her bio and photograph will be added soon.
Friday, April 10, 2026
“Mastering the Mic: Strengthen Your Voice, Sharpen Your Impact”
In media, your voice is more than sound — it’s your signature. This session explores how to improve vocal delivery, boost confidence behind the mic and develop a presence that resonates across platforms. Whether you’re anchoring the news, hosting a podcast or speaking on stage, students will learn techniques to enhance clarity, pacing and tone while building an authentic on-air identity. The session will also highlight how strong delivery can build trust, connect with audiences and elevate your professional brand.
The speaker for this session is J.T. Mitchell, the news director and a host for SuperTalk Mississippi Media. An award-winning digital and broadcast journalist, Mitchell oversees statewide news coverage for one of Mississippi’s largest radio networks and also hosts a sports podcast. Mitchell previously served as editor-in-chief of Our Mississippi Home and worked as a multimedia journalist covering statewide issues. He is a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, where he studied English and philosophy.
Friday, April 24, 2026
“Leading Through the Storm: Building Resilience and Purpose in a Chaotic World”
In high-pressure environments like media, leadership requires more than skill — it requires emotional strength, clarity and purpose. This session explores how to lead with resilience in the face of stress, change and uncertainty. Drawing from psychological insights and real-world experience, it will offer practical tools for managing pressure, staying grounded in purpose, and communicating with empathy and effectiveness. Students will gain strategies for navigating personal and professional challenges while building trust, maintaining well-being, and making decisions that reflect both integrity and impact.
The speaker for this session is Dr. Bev Smallwood, a licensed psychologist and founder of The Hope Center, a clinic she established in Hattiesburg in 1984. For more than 40 years, she has shared her message of resilience and personal growth with individuals, families and organizations across the U.S. and abroad. Smallwood earned her Ph.D. in psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi and is nationally recognized for her expertise in leadership development, trauma recovery and emotional wellness. She has been featured in outlets such as CNN, Fox News, The New York Times and Women’s Health. She is the author of “This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen to Me.”
Friday, May 1, 2026
“Beyond the Scroll: Strategic Storytelling for a Digital Audience”
In an age where content competes for attention in seconds, effective storytelling isn’t just about what you say — it’s about how, where and when you say it. This session dives into the evolving role of social media in journalism and public communication, unpacking how digital editors and content strategists turn headlines into engagement and scrolls into trust. Students will learn how to tailor content for different platforms, use analytics to guide decisions, and build meaningful audience relationships without sacrificing journalistic values. Whether you’re managing an outlet’s Instagram, promoting a podcast or crafting explainer threads, this session will offer practical insights on what works — and why.
The speaker for this session is Lauchlin Fields, chief visionary officer for LF Voices Collective, a cultural storytelling platform focused on elevating diverse voices and reimagining how communities experience news and information. A native of Vicksburg, Fields began her career as a local news reporter before operating a web design and marketing firm. She later helped document Mississippi blues musicians through the Blues at Home project and played a key role in developing the Catfish Row Museum. Fields also founded The ‘Sip magazine and held leadership roles at Mississippi Today and Deep South Today, where she led audience growth and innovation initiatives. She holds a degree in southern studies from The University of Mississippi.
