Not Enough of Us – We Are Not Black Twitter

#sxsw #blacktweet

The number of people utilizing and explicating social media in oversimplified or academic-driven terms far outweighs the number of individuals using these tools in creative ways that are supported by interactivity, personality, humor and relatability.
A prime example of an overgeneralization causing a rift in audience connectivity is the ambiguity surrounding “Black Twitter” (the dominance of the microblogging platform by Blacks). Since 2010, this concept has been heavily dissected in news articles, research dissertations, panel discussions and beyond. While that’s all good and well, this panel will not attempt to dissect this concept. Instead, it will seek to provide people of color with tips for utilizing Twitter to their advantage, personally and professionally, in order to facilitate content originality and audience interaction.
This panel is comprised of individuals who have used the platform in diverse ways to stimulate in-depth content engagement and inspire viral media.

Presenters

Adrian Walker

Photographer

Adrian O Walker

Adrian graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a BA in Sociology and Certificate in Photography (2010) During undergrad he was a part of various groups on campus and it was here that he co-founded Made Monarchs, an online social media publication, that evolved into a multi-platform entertainment group. Adrian was the content and social media manager. He also freelanced with photography

After college he sought work at Pepsi Co working as the warehouse certifier for about a year and a half. While working at Pepsi he learned the 9 to 5 life wasn’t for him. With the connections he made with Made Monarchs he received a call from national recording artist Stalley of MMG, who he booked for a show while with Made Monarchs, with a job offer to help manage and photograph him while on Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo and Youth Preview Tour.

Currently Adrian is a full time freelance photographer and consultant.

Justin Roberson

Feature Writer

Mostly Junk Food LLC

I have created content throughout every realm of the Internet from SEO and Digital Advertising to Music and Food. Regular contributor to Four Pins, Complex Magazine, Noisey Music, MySpace, and others.

Kiana Fitzgerald

Digital Strategist

KianaFitzgerald.com

Kiana Fitzgerald is a Texas State University alumna, having earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and photography (2011), and a master’s degree in new media in mass communication (2013). As an undergrad, she was a feature writer for the campus newspaper, and for startup web music zine All Things Lavish. She gained additional experience as a multimedia reporter when covering the SXSW Interactive festival for SXTXState.com as a master's candidate.

She has also had experience with social media strategy, site traffic analytics and web development as a digital media intern for small and large-scale businesses in Austin, Texas.

Kiana is currently working in Washington, D.C. at NPR as an editorial researcher, executive assistant and social media manager.