By Aria BrentAFRO Employees Writerabrent@afro.com
Rodericka Applewhaite was chosen to function the brand new director of Black media on the White Home. She’s dedicated to making sure fairness for Black journalists. Though she’s solely been within the place for about three months, the younger director has championed inclusive efforts, creating new methods for the Black press to attach with the White Home.
“I feel the way forward for the Black press is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Between the issues that we’re doing and the coverage issues which are occurring right here, and then you definately herald press that’s particularly speaking to audiences which are on the lookout for that info,” Applewhaite defined. “As audiences proceed to devour that, it permits me to return and say, ‘I would like extra time with x, x and x, as a result of take a look at the curiosity we’re getting.’”
“It’s permitting me to increase our attain, which is finally growing the quantity of black People which are turning into conscious of the work that we’re doing,” she continued.
She brings to the desk a wealth of knowledge with expertise in political technique, coverage analysis and knowledge.
“I’ve tried to convey the press and communication methods which have served me properly over my profession into this. I additionally wish to be as accessible as individuals,” stated Applewhaite. “These are the 2 issues I hope I’ve delivered to the position. I’m ensuring we’re doing sufficient to spotlight the work that’s occurring right here.”
Applewhaite is a local of Carrollton, Ga., and a graduate of George Washington College the place she majored in political science. Noting that she was all the time concerned with politics, the younger scholar grew up taking part in debate groups and with desires of attending legislation college. It wasn’t till she arrived within the nation’s capital that she realized there have been so many profession decisions she may pursue with a political science diploma.
“On the time, I had aspirations for legislation college as a result of I believed that’s the place you went in the event you had my curiosity and rising up in a small city in Georgia didn’t know what different outlet there was,” Applewhaite recalled. “I wasn’t actually conscious that campaigns and politics was a profession alternative. Going to school in D.C actually opened my eyes to that. It was a extremely fulfilling and enriching expertise.”
Following commencement she started working in political analysis, which led her to a collection of jobs on marketing campaign groups for statewide races in each Georgia and New Jersey. As Applewhaite’s expertise with political campaigning continued she ultimately started to work on presidential campaigns which finally led her to the beginning of communications profession.
“I ended up getting scooped up by Pete Buttigieg for presidential campaigns, and from there that was my first foray into communications,” Applewhaite shared. “I used to be accountable for all of Pete’s mayoral analysis, and it ended up being too tough for me to clarify it to our communications crew, after which have them clarify it to reporters. I ended up doing it.”
After working with Buttigieg, she served because the senior communications advisor for the Michigan Democratic Celebration and joined the marketing campaign crew that supported the 2022 re-election of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The seasoned communications skilled returned to D.C following the profitable marketing campaign in Michigan and he or she was working at a communications agency till the White Home known as providing her the chance of a lifetime.
Previous to Applewhaite taking over the place it was most just lately held by Erica Loewe and Kevin Lewis was the primary director of Black media when the position was established beneath the Obama administration. Though the position isn’t particularly previous it’s performed a major position throughout the Black press and it’s now Applewhaite’s to hold ahead. Whereas on this place, she is concentrated on the connection between the Black press and the White Home, nevertheless there are a number of different issues she plans to implement as properly.
Despite her unorthodox introduction to the Black press, Applewhaite shared some very notable Black journalists which have impressed her, together with April Ryan and Simone Sanders. As she begins to create her personal legacy that’s certain to encourage the subsequent era of media and communications professionals, she can be working to guarantee the way forward for the Black press is properly secured.
