What to Expect from Black Media Mogul Maker

Black Media Mogul Maker is a diverse and inclusive digital media entrepreneurship program that will fortify a new class of media entrepreneurs and owners in Syracuse.

The 10-week training program will be held onsite at New Life Temple of Praise (5013 South Salina Street) on Mondays between September 13, 2021 – November 15, 2021, from 6-9PM. The program is free; dinner and refreshments will be provided each week. 

The free program includes media entrepreneurship training, mentoring and connections to resources.   We take a broad lens on media, including news, information, marketing/advertising, and all kinds of entertainment: sports, music, film, etc.                                                  

The program will include:                                                         

Training: Our digital media entrepreneurship training will examine the history, disruptions and opportunities in the media industry and offer frameworks, learnings, and inspiration to start a media venture. Training will be filled with action-oriented information, case studies, exercises and a variety of speakers.  We’ll cover topics like how entrepreneurs REALLY think and act, how to productize media and how to prepare for starting a new venture.  

Mentoring: We’ll bring mentors to New Life Temple of Praise to allow founders (participants) one-on-one time with local entrepreneurs, business and media professionals. During this time, founders can get feedback on their ideas and build a network.

Resources: We’ll hold an “entrepreneurship resource fair” with a variety of local minority and business-focused organizations and services. These organizations and services will be vital in getting media ventures off the ground and will present an opportunity to share ideas.

Training will be led by Sean Branagan, Director of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship. Sean is a serial entrepreneur, interactive marketer, startup investor, and educator. At Newhouse since 2011, Sean teaches media and entertainment innovation and entrepreneurship and has created and taught courses and professional seminars on interactive marketing, media technology trends, innovation, digital retailing, entrepreneurship, digital media and “leadership in uncertainty.” Guest speakers, from Syracuse and beyond, will join each week to allow founders to hear a variety of perspectives.
It’s our goal to provide a roadmap, skills and community to foster Black media ownership in Syracuse, in effect bridging the digital divide, creating generational wealth and diversifying the stories that shape culture.