CAF and the TSU Film Club Attend the Houston Media Conference

The Houston Media Convention (HMC) in August 2024 was a major highlight for Texas Southern University (TSU). Dr. Toniesha Taylor, director of the Center for Africana Futures, led a strong presence alongside the TSU Film Club. Held from August 22 to 24, the convention brought together media professionals, creators, and educators from around the country to engage in panels, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Dr. Taylor’s leadership at the event was a testament to her ongoing efforts to champion African and African American voices in media. As the director of the Center for Africana Futures, she has been at the forefront of fostering critical conversations around media literacy, cultural studies, and the power of storytelling from African diasporic perspectives. The Center’s participation in the HMC underscored its commitment to advancing diverse narratives in the film and media industries within academic spaces and the broader community.

Thanks to a generous donation, CAF shared their vendor table with TSU Film Club at the convention, showcasing an array of student-produced films and multimedia projects. This provided a significant platform for the students to present their work to a larger audience of media professionals, fellow students, and enthusiasts. The club's involvement demonstrated TSU's dedication to hands-on learning experiences in media production and highlighted the creative potential of its student body. Their vendor table served as a hub of activity throughout the convention, with attendees stopping by to learn more about CAF and TSU Film Club’s projects and future initiatives.

For many students, attending HMC was an invaluable opportunity to network with industry professionals, attend workshops on various aspects of media production, and participate in discussions on the future of storytelling. The convention featured several panels on cutting-edge topics such as the role of artificial intelligence in film, the evolution of digital media platforms, and the importance of diversity in storytelling. These sessions gave TSU students insights into the rapidly changing media landscape and encouraged them to think critically about their roles within it.

The Houston Media Convention itself was organized by key local organizations such as the Houston Cinema Arts Society and the Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP), and featured a range of activities from film screenings to industry panels. Dr. Taylor’s presence at the convention reinforced her leadership within the academic community and demonstrated her commitment to creating opportunities for TSU students to thrive in the world of media.

As the event wrapped up, the students and faculty who attended HMC left with a deeper understanding of the industry and new connections that could lead to future collaborations. The convention for the TSU Film Club was a chance to gain visibility in the broader Houston media scene. At the same time, for Dr. Taylor, it was another opportunity to amplify the work at the Center for Africana Futures. Together, their presence at HMC 2024 made a strong statement about the future of African American storytelling in media.