November 2024 – Silke Endress International Women Media Forum

Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association award

dinner celebrating the best and brightest in BIPOC media

MMCA Awards Dinner Honors Juju Chang, with Aida Rodriguez as Mistress of Ceremony

The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) hosted an unforgettable awards dinner that celebrated the best and brightest in BIPOC media. This year, the spotlight was on none other than Juju Chang, the award-winning television journalist for ABC News. As a co-anchor on Nightline and one of the most respected voices in journalism, Chang’s contribution to the media landscape is undeniable. She was the star of the evening, honored for her

excellence in storytelling and her commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront of national news.

Aida Rodriguez, the evening’s hilarious and energetic mistress of ceremony, set the tone for the night. The renowned comedian, known for her sharp wit and socially conscious humor, kept the crowd entertained while highlighting the significance of the MMCA’s mission. Between laugh-out-loud moments, Rodriguez also made sure to remind everyone why the night mattered so much. “This is not just about awards,” she said with a smile, “it’s about amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.”

A Night of Celebration and Collaboration

The MMCA awards dinner wasn’t just about recognizing individual achievements. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, media stakeholders, influencers, and advocates, creating a melting pot of ideas and opportunities. Imagine the room as a hub where the media’s best thinkers gathered to exchange ideas on the future of BIPOC representation in the industry.

David Morgan, the co-founder of MMCA, spoke to the audience about the importance of the evening, reminding everyone that the real goal is collaboration and partnership. “We’re not just celebrating tonight,” Morgan said. “We’re here to create lasting networks and partnerships that will push the media industry forward, ensuring that it truly reflects the diversity of our society.”

And the energy in the room reflected exactly that—an atmosphere of optimism and innovation, with conversations buzzing about how to further amplify voices from communities that have often been underrepresented or marginalized.

Celebrating Juju Chang’s Legacy

Juju Chang’s honor was a key highlight, and it wasn’t just about her illustrious career or her Emmy wins. Her dedication to telling stories that impact communities of color and her continuous efforts to give a platform to diverse narratives made her the perfect honoree for the evening. Throughout her career, Chang has reported on critical issues affecting Asian Americans, immigrants, and other communities of color, consistently showing that media can be both a mirror and a megaphone for the diverse fabric of society.

As she accepted her award, Chang was visibly moved. “This is more than a personal recognition,” she said. “It’s a recognition of the stories we need to tell, the stories that challenge us, and the stories that connect us.”

The Power of Media to Create Change

Beyond the awards and the celebrations, the MMCA event emphasized the power of media to drive change. It’s not just about reporting the news—it’s about shaping the narrative in ways that reflect the true complexity of our world. The MMCA has long been a champion of these values, and the annual awards dinner serves as a reminder that diversity in media is not a checkbox it’s the cornerstone of authentic storytelling.

In the words of Aida Rodriguez: “Diversity in media isn’t about inclusion for inclusion’s sake. It’s about telling the full story. And tonight, we’re here to celebrate those who are doing just that.”

The MMCA awards dinner was not just an event, it was a call to action a night filled with inspiration, collaboration, and the understanding that the future of media lies in the hands of those who are willing to push boundaries, tell the untold stories, and celebrate every voice. And with figures like Juju Chang leading the way, the future looks brighter than ever.

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Thousands Rally for Freedom and Rights at the Women’s March in D.C.: “We Won’t Go Back!”

Pins For Purpose

The energy at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., as electric. Thousands of women and allies gathered in solidarity at the Women’s March for Freedom, making their voices heard loud and clear on issues close to their hearts: women’s rights, reproductive freedom, and a commitment to never backtrack on the hard-won rights for women. The rally, pulsing with chants of “We Won’t Go Back!”, carried through the city, echoing off landmarks like the Washington Memorial and culminating outside the White House, where the symbolism of women’s demands for equality and justice was undeniable.

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A Movement Rooted in Freedom and Progress

From every corner of Freedom Plaza, advocates of all ages and backgrounds stood with purpose, representing the millions who believe in moving forward not back. The march centered on the message of preserving and advancing women’s rights and protecting reproductive freedoms, echoing the continued need for equality and justice. Signs waved in the air, boldly bearing messages like “Our Bodies, Our Choices”, “Now You’ve Pissed-Off Grandma”, and “Equal Rights for All Women.” The march wasn’t just about what women have achieved—it was about the future they intend to shape.

Edie Fraser, the Founder and Chairwoman of the Women Business Collaborative, brought a unique element of support for Vice President Kamala Harris to the event. She and her team distributed more than 3,500 pins featuring Kamala Harris to the crowds. Fraser’s initiative was backed by the broader Pins for Purpose campaign, which created 152,000 of these pins to show nationwide support for Harris’s 2024 Presidential run. Originally unveiled at the Democratic National Convention, the pins have now become an emblem of support, traveling across the United States from delegate meetings to events like this.

The Power of Symbols: Pins for a Purpose

Pins may seem like small tokens, but here, they held the power of rally cries and flags in a freedom march. For many, these pins represented more than just a candidate; they symbolized a movement—one for representation, justice, and equality. Earlier at a luncheon, Edie Fraser and Beth Ward spoke passionately about the pin campaign, sharing their hope that each pin acts as a conversation starter, an invitation to discuss not only Harris’s candidacy but also the future of women’s leadership in America.

Carletha Cole, a fellow advocate and attendee, emphasized the importance of voting for Kamala Harris and getting the next generation involved in the process. The pins’ symbolic role in reminding people that change isn’t just possible—it’s happening. Cole, a known voice in the women’s advocacy scene, was deeply moved by the turnout. “Today’s march is a testament to the strength of women united,” she said. “The support for Kamala is more than just backing a person; it’s supporting a vision for America where women have a seat at every table.”

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Marching Through D.C.: “We Won’t Go Back!”

The march wasn’t confined to Freedom Plaza; it was dynamic, moving from the Plaza past historic sites and finally arriving at the White House. Along the way, chants echoed: “We Won’t Go Back!” a bold declaration that generations of progress in women’s rights won’t be easily undone. The sight of thousands of marchers, some holding banners, others wearing their pins for Harris, underscored the resilience and unity of this movement. Together, they moved through D.C., forming a living, breathing testament to the fight for freedom, equality, and justice.

A Wave of Support for Kamala and the Future

While the event was grounded in advocacy for reproductive rights and women’s freedom, the broader message was clear women are ready for bold leadership. Harris’s vice presidency represents a milestone, but to those marching, it’s only a first step. By backing Kamala, they’re backing a future that uplifts women’s voices in the highest places of power. Pins for Purpose, through Fraser’s distribution of thousands of pins, has given advocates a way to show their support in a way that connects their local and personal actions to the national dialogue.

The Pins for Purpose luncheon and this march in D.C. showed that women are united, loud, and powerful. As they chanted, as they marched, and as they wore their Kamala pins proudly, one thing was certain: they’re ready to keep moving forward, without a backward

glance.

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The Women’s March for Freedom was more than a protest—it was a statement of resolve. Women, with their allies beside them, are committed to protecting their freedoms, asserting their rights, and advancing equality. With leaders like Edie Fraser and Carletha Cole rallying support, and Beth Ward with symbols like the Kamala pins igniting conversations, the momentum is palpable. This movement is here to stay, carrying forward the spirit of generations past and building a future grounded in equality, freedom, and unyielding progress.