By Caitlin Joyce ’20

Media and Communications major Lashanna Bryant ’21 was honored with the Emma Bowen Foundation’s Storytelling Award for her video project “Realizing What’s Wrong: Mental Health in the Early 2000s,” which explored the importance of mental health in black families. The autobiographical video featured Bryant’s experiences dealing with mental illness as a child, and the importance of having an open dialogue about mental health within black families. She received the award during the organization’s annual summer conference, which was held virtually this year from July 13 to 15. 

At the conference, Bryant attended virtual seminars hosted by Emma Bowen Foundation alumni and notable figures in the media industry, such as the director of Oprah Winfrey’s OWN TV network. Additionally, she attended networking events with representatives from FOX and Discovery.  

“I’m hoping that in continuing with the program and using the resources the Emma Bowen Foundation provides, I am able to successfully find a job working in media after I graduate,” said Bryant, who wants to become a journalist or reporter. 

The Emma Bowen Foundation pairs students of color with jobs or internships within the media industry. Bryant was accepted into the foundation after she landed an internship with one of their sponsor companies, Comcast NBC, in January 2019.