Edifying Together, feat. Tamir D. Harper

This week on an #EducationReboot episode of #MaxOutTime: Part II of my conversation with Howard University Journalism Sequence Coordinator and Associate Professor of Broadcast Journalism, Jennifer C. Thomas, who transferred her classroom to a virtual newsroom amid the pandemic. The 2019 Scripps Howard Foundation/AEJMC Teacher of the Year and former CNN Executive Producer instructs a rigorous, advanced broadcast capstone class, which allows students to gain experiential training in the studio and the field. Professor Thomas discusses how the past year has tested her mentally and emotionally. She also lists the Black Women trailblazers who have led the way in broadcasting, including Cathy Hughes and Oprah Winfrey. For more on Professor Thomas, follow her on social media @jtmediaready. Want to make sure you don't miss an episode? Sign up to get our email updates at https://linktr.ee/MaxOutTimeWithAJII You'll get every episode, exclusive bonus content, and free guides straight to your inbox every week. VISIT MAX OUT TIME ON: Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MaxOutTime/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/max_out_time_with_aj_ii/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/maxouttime_ajii Website | www.maxouttimewithajii.com This episode was previously recorded on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. If you haven't already, tune in and share Part I (Episode 63) from earlier in the month! -AJ II

This week on an #EducationReboot episode of #MaxOutTime: Howard University Journalism Sequence Coordinator and Associate Professor of Broadcast Journalism, Jennifer C. Thomas, discusses transferring her classroom to a virtual newsroom amid the pandemic. The 2019 Scripps Howard Foundation/AEJMC Teacher of the Year and former CNN Executive Producer instructs a rigorous, advanced broadcast capstone class, which allows students to gain experiential training in the studio and the field. The university decided to switch its curriculum to fully remote last spring, but Professor Thomas adapted to the "new normal." She discusses the challenges of teaching college students remotely, providing them with a virtual sense of community and aiding students who are battling personal struggles. For more on Professor Thomas, follow her on social media @jtmediaready. Want to make sure you don't miss an episode? Sign up to get our email updates at https://linktr.ee/MaxOutTimeWithAJII You'll get every episode, exclusive bonus content, and free guides straight to your inbox every week. VISIT MAX OUT TIME ON: Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MaxOutTime/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/max_out_time_with_aj_ii/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/maxouttime_ajii Website | www.maxouttimewithajii.com This episode was previously recorded on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Part II will be available later this month. -AJ II

This week on a special #WomensHistoryMonth episode of #MaxOutTime: 9-year-old WNBA Reporter, Pepper Persley, highlights female athletes and her most inspiring conversations with Black Women. The New York City fourth grader started interviewing WNBA players when she was in kindergarten, and launched a podcast, Dish With Pepper, during the pandemic. She has interviewed everyone from current Atlanta Dream co-owner and former player, Renee Montgomery, to Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Tasha Cloud. Pepper shares her favorite interview moments, including high fiving former First Lady Michelle Obama, and shouts out several Black journalists who are paving the way. For more on Pepper, visit @dishwithpepper on social media and checkout the Dish With Pepper Podcast! Want to make sure you don't miss an episode? Sign up to get our email updates at https://linktr.ee/MaxOutTimeWithAJII You'll get every episode, exclusive bonus content, and free guides straight to your inbox every week. VISIT MAX OUT TIME ON: Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MaxOutTime/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/max_out_time_with_aj_ii/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/maxouttime_ajii Website | www.maxouttimewithajii.com This episode was previously recorded on Saturday, February 27, 2021. -AJ II

This week on a special #BlackHistoryMonth episode of #MaxOutTime: 2016 NFL All-Pro and Raiders single-season leader in punting yards, Marquette King, discusses his desire to return to the NFL after more than two years. Marquette, who last played for the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020 and the NFL's Denver Broncos in 2018, is one of five Black kickers or punters to ever play in the league. I asked the trailblazer about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Marquette also paid homage to punters like Greg Coleman who paved the way for him to thrive at the highest level. In addition to the gridiron, the renaissance man details how he transferred his All-Pro mindset to music and achieved more than a million Spotify streams in one year. Please follow Marquette's journey @MarquetteKing on social media. Want to make sure you don't miss an episode? Sign up to get our email updates at https://linktr.ee/MaxOutTimeWithAJII You'll get every episode, exclusive bonus content, and free guides straight to your inbox every week. VISIT MAX OUT TIME ON: Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MaxOutTime/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/max_out_time_with_aj_ii/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/maxouttime_ajii Website | www.maxouttimewithajii.com This episode was previously recorded on Monday, February 15th, 2021. -AJ II

This week on an #EducationReboot episode of #MaxOutTime: Eleventh Grade Jazz Musician, Elijah Woodward, discusses his remote learning experiences and how he's using music to inspire amid the pandemic. In a workshop that I gave to Elijah's AP Composition and Language class, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DC) alto saxophonist completed my podcasting assignment on what he's learned during the last year. In it, Elijah says the pandemic has made him a better artist and also a better person. He discusses his One Song Concert Series on IGTV, his band's last live performance at Busboys and Poets plus school reopenings in DC. For more on Elijah's performances, follow Elijah & The Fixins @elijahjazzmusic on social media. This episode was previously recorded on Monday, February 15, 2021. Want to make sure you don't miss an episode? Sign up to get our email updates at https://linktr.ee/MaxOutTimeWithAJII You'll get every episode, exclusive bonus content, and free guides straight to your inbox every week. -AJ II

This week on #BlackArtistryMatters, a #MaxOutTime series, which examines Black talent and their inspiring work amid the pandemic: Broadway veteran, Gerald Caesar, discusses nearly changing careers before landing his breakout role in the screen adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen. When the pandemic hit, Gerald was playing Raymond in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. The cast initially thought that the pandemic period would be a temporary break, but Gerald was thinking he needed a fresh start. Luckily, after being offered a Human Resources job in DC, Gerald was blessed to make it to the big screen. Gerald previews his role, which was written into the film, the movie rehearsing process and COVID-19 testing protocols on set. For more on Gerald's acting career, please follow @gerald_caesar on Instagram. This episode was previously recorded on Friday, January 22, 2020. -AJ II

This week on #BlackArtistryMatters, a weekly #MaxOutTime series, which examines Black talent and their inspiring work amid the pandemic: Part II of my conversation with Entertainment Journalist & On-Air Talent Gia Peppers! Gia pays homage to the pioneering Black women, from Debbie Allen to Oprah, who paved the way for today's women in media. She also unveils her list of young phenoms in the game. For more on Gia's rise in the journalism and entertainment industry, follow her on Instagram @giapeppers. This episode was previously recorded on Monday, December 14, 2020. If you haven't already, tune in and share Part I (Episode 55) from earlier in the series! -AJ II

This week on #BlackArtistryMatters, a weekly #MaxOutTime series, which examines Black talent and their inspiring work amid the pandemic: Philadelphia Author, Cole Brown, discusses his debut book Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World. Cole is a Philly kid who attended elite prep schools before attending Georgetown University in DC, where he began writing this text. The series of stories, which he published amid the early stages of the pandemic, explore the tension between one's blackness and privilege and how these forces interact. In it, Cole opens up about the history of police brutality, the Black Lives Matter Movement and the shared struggles of living in a liberal White World. To purchase Greyboy, visit https://www.amazon.com/Greyboy-Finding-Blackness-White-World/dp/1510761888 For more on Cole's work, follow him on social media @coletdbrown. This episode was previously recorded on Monday, December 21, 2020. -AJ II

This week on another special #EducationReboot episode of #MaxOutTime: Vanderbilt University Centennial Chair & Distinguished Professor, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, discusses the coronavirus pandemic's impact on the future of higher education.

After spending 14 years at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Dr. Dyson is migrating down south and returning to teach in Tennessee amid the pandemic. The renowned speaker, author and minister shares his takes on the vaccine, the Black struggle and students' mental and emotional trauma during these unprecedented times.

For more on Dr. Dyson's work, please follow him @michaeledyson on Twitter and @michaelericdyson on Instagram.

This episode was previously recorded on Monday, January 11, 2020.

-AJ II

Introducing #BlackArtistryMatters, a new weekly series, which examines Black talent and their inspiring work amid the coronavirus pandemic. This week on #MaxOutTime: Multidimensional Entertainment Journalist and On-Air Talent, Gia Peppers, discusses the inspirations for her content creation during the new normal. Last spring, Gia's event bookings turned virtual. Through Instagram Live campaigns like #FreeGameFridays and social media hosting, Gia transformed her platforms to share wisdom and #TellBlackStories. For more on Gia's rise as a media mogul in the journalism and entertainment industry, follow her on Instagram @giapeppers. This episode was previously recorded on Monday, December 14, 2020. Part II will be available later in the series! -AJ II