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Journalism in Practice
Assignment One
By Hilda Walusimo
Student ID: S14125063
Portfolio of 8 Articles
WITJ Tour in 2015 Birmingham: ‘Help us make it happen!’
Natural Hair YouTube vlogger and
blogger, Wunmi Akinlagun, also
known as Woman in the Jungle has
announced that her annual hair show
which is usually located is coming to
Birmingham in 2015.
There has not been an exact date,
time or location given for the event
that is set to take place next year
however, the UK vlogger is excited about the event to happen in Birmingham for the very
first time. ‘I am more than excited and I’m doing all I can to make it a Midlands expo you
will not forget!’ says Wunmi.
Wunmi Akinlagun is doing everything possible to make this event happen and bring the
natural hair community in Birmingham together to make sure the WITJ hair show is a
success. ‘Share with all your friends, heck share with all brown beauties that you stumble
across. Help us make it happen!’ says Wunmi.
Wunmi is also calling all exhibitors who may have natural hair and skin products to register
for the chance to display their products at the hair show and to do so or to contact her for
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further details about the WITJ 2015 Birmingham Hair Show, contact Wunmi at:
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‘BCU Open Day Was Amazing!’
On Saturday 15th November, Birmingham City University opened its doors to visitors and
held yet another successful open day- being the biggest BCU open day to date, thus far.
Across the different campuses- City Centre, City North, City South campus- Birmingham
City University showcased its variety of accredited courses and the staff as well as current
students answered questions of prospective students.
A variety of talks were held by the different lecturers of BCU’s courses and other staff
members, giving more detailed information about the courses- and many were on hand at the
different stands during the day to answer more questions.
Moreover, free drinks were offered to the visitors as well as that welcome packs were given-
which contained free goodies and extra information about the university for both future
students and the parents to read.
The potential BCU students and parents were very happy on the day and impressed with all
that BCU has to offer. Here are what some of the visitors had to say about Birmingham City
University and the open day:
https://twitter.com/ArianaFeels/status/533631980374867969
https://twitter.com/Katie_JT/status/533627437704577028
https://twitter.com/LW_Fro/status/533614574331629568
https://twitter.com/HPulfer/status/533607730570092544
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https://twitter.com/xmeganharrison/status/533595881485135872
https://twitter.com/Bethmurphy1996/status/533591800758681600
BCU proved to have had another popular open day and Birmingham City University is
excited to welcome new students onto their courses next year and also for another incredible
open day next year.
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‘More choice for the Local people’ says Head of Retail
On Thursday 27th November, the launch of the first St Giles Boutique Charity Shop is set is
underway. The boutique shop, located in Sutton Coldfield, will sell collections of existing
and new items such as shoes, bags, jewellery, gifts and much more. There will be plenty of
refreshments for shoppers and St Giles supporters to enjoy on the night of the launch.
‘We’re inviting everyone to this special launch event to celebrate this exciting new venture
for St Giles Hospice shops.’ says Lynwen Truesdale, Head of Retail for St Giles Hospice.
‘We felt it was an ideal opportunity to transform one (of our St Giles Hospice shops) into our
very first specialist boutique Charity shop to offer even more choice for local people’.
At the launch of the boutique, local shoppers can expect to be ‘among the first tow browse
out superb selection of gorgeous items’ says Truesdale.
The launch of the boutique shop will be held at the former St Giles Shop at 28 Boldmere
Road in Sutton Coldfield, from 5-7pm.
For more details about the event on Thursday 27th November or about St Giles Shops in
general, this is available by visiting the website at www.stgileshospice.com/shops .
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‘ Time is Illmatic’ comes to Birmingham
After taking the US by storm and screening
dates being announced in London, hip hop
legend Nas’ documentary film Time is
Illmatic is set to screen in Birmingham at the
Electric Cinema.
The film is based on the making of Nas’ debut
album ’Illmatic’, in celebration of its release
just over twenty years ago. The movie follows
Nas and introduces his fans and those who are
not familiar with the man behind the booth
and welcomes them into the world he lived in
growing up and which influenced the classic
album that we know as Illmatic.
The documentary follows his family including his father, renowned Jazz musician Olu Dara
and his brother Jabari ‘Jungle’ Jones where exclusive memories are shared of Nas’ late
mother, Ann Jones which allows fans to have more of an insight into his surroundings and
how different social issues impacted Nas’ early lyricism.
Featuring interviews from music industry peers such as producers of Illmatic (Large
Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and DJ Premier) and artists such as Pharrell Williams
and Alicia Keys, this documentary film is sure to live up to its expectations and people are
sure know Mr Jones a lot more.
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Excitement for this movie rises as it finally hits Birmingham, with fans saying:
https://twitter.com/TheCorrieMartin/status/531122750682066944. Another fan recommends
the film saying: https://twitter.com/KomalSense/status/531123771235905538.
Screenings of the movie at to be shown for two days only in Birmingham on Saturday 8th and
Sunday 9th of November at the Electric Cinema, tickets for the documentary are available
online on the Electric Cinema website.
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Natural Hair Week presents: Curls for a Cause
Natural Hair Week- the first and only event to do a series of events across the UK to celebrate
and educate women about natural hair and beauty now presents an event called Curls for a
Cause.
This event which is an extension of the annual Natural Hair Week events is for women to
come together and relax whilst discussing all things natural hair and beauty proceeds from the
tickets sold goes towards helping with medical bills for popular US Natural hair YouTube
vlogger, Meechy Monroe who is currently recovering from cancer.
Curls for a Cause will be taking place in three cities: London, Manchester and will be coming
to Birmingham on Friday 28th November 2014 at Stirlings Bar & Lounge at 7pm. Tickets are
on sale from £23.99 and it is an over 18s event.
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For more information about what is happening on the day and to purchase tickets, go to:
https://www.naturalhairweek.com/uk-natural-hair-and-beauty-event-birmingham-
masquerade-night-2014/
Time is Illmatic: ‘Made me love Hip-Hop all over again’
On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of November, hip hop legend- Nasir Jones’- documentary
film ‘Time is Illmatic’ hit the screens at Birmingham’s Electric Cinema exclusively for that
weekend only.
The documentary took an in-depth look at all the personal, musical, social and political issues
that influenced Nas’ hip-hop classic and 1994 debut ‘Illmatic’, with commentary from well-
known faces from in the music business.
Fans of Nas and of Hip-Hop in general left the Electric Cinema very satisfied with the
documentary film. ‘Time is Illmatic was an awesome film’ says Olivia Gombi, who travelled
all the way from London to see the documentary-despite having watched it already. ‘The
documentary just made me love Nas and love hip-hop all over again- would definitely
recommend it and it was well worth the almost 2 hour travel!’
‘I’ve had a great time’ says hip-hop fan, Kiran Garcha ‘I came here thinking I knew
everything about Nas, Illmatic and hip-hop overall, but left learning new things which I
didn’t know. Two thumbs up from me- if you love Nas or just a fan of hip-hop definitely go
see it. You’ll leave feeling inspired, for real’
Time is Illmatic only screened for that weekend in Birmingham only, but it is available for
purchase on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/nas-time-is-illmatic/id932487271
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'Black People vs N****as: Race, Class and the N-word' event:
The Drum Arts Centre in Birmingham was packed out on Thursday 20th November for the
‘Black People vs N****as: Race, Class and the N-word’ event which was held, with students
from Birmingham City University, other Birmingham universities as well as the local and
other communities attending the event.
‘I expected that there would be a range of opinions; it’s a controversial subject that brings up
a range of emotions’ explains Dr Kehinde Andrews, Senior Lecturer of Sociology at
Birmingham City University. ‘That is why I put the event on, to use the topic to raise issues
of class in the Black community.’
The event was also put on to discuss the complicated history behind the N-word and modern
representations of the ‘N***a’ and backlash against it. Andrews states that there was a very
‘heated debate’ surrounding the topic and explains how it was due to generational issues.
‘The younger generation has a very different relationship to the word than the older
generation.’
‘I've been called a Nigger by a White person and these weren't serious situations. However
the generations before me would have received serious racial abuse by people using the
word- there’s a different emotional connection to the word’ says Andrews.
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At the event, hip hop artists XYM and Juice were part of the panel to discuss the use of the
N-word in their music. There were the regular disagreements from several who believe and
view the word as negative. An interview of rapper, Immortal Technique was shown
discussing the issue surrounding the N-Word as well.
The ‘Black People vs N****as: Race, Class and the N-word’ event went ‘better I than
expected’ said Andrews. ‘a big turn out and a heated debate. People were calling for a part 2
at the end, so it must have gone well.’
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‘It’s Time for Black Schools!’- Challenging Racism in the
Education System
On Wednesday 3rd December, the
‘It’s Time for Black Schools’ event will be held at Birmingham City University’s City North
Campus in Perry Barr. The event will be held to raise awareness about the need for Black
schools to be created.
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Senior Lecturer in Sociology at BCU, also the founding member of the Organisation of Black
Unity, Dr Kehinde Andrews who will be holding the event states that he hopes the event will:
‘open up debates about alternatives to challenge racism in the education system’ and that the
Organisation of Black Unity are ‘committed to creating a Black school’.
Dr Kehinde Andrews will also be speaking about his book, 'Resisting Racism: Race,
Inequality and the Black Supplementary School Movement’ at the event, in which the aim of
the book, Andrews claims, was to: ‘show that there are alternatives outside of the mainstream
system’ as well as to ‘highlight the (Black supplementary school) movement as a blueprint
for Black education’.
‘There is a lack of writing on the contribution of Black British communities to society, so the
aim was to shed a little light on the struggles for equality’ says Andrews ‘The book was
written to shed light on the history of the movement and also the politics behind it, that are
equally necessary today as they ever were’.
The ‘It’s Time for Black Schools’ hopes to not only spread the awareness for the need of
Black Schools and racism in the Education System but to also place urgency on the ‘need to
radically rethink how we address the problem’ as Andrews suggests.
The event is free and open to anyone who is interested in attending, and for more information
about the event, you can email:
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The Logbook
During the publication days, my role in the editorial team was mainly being one of the
Journalists. In regards to finding and following up my own stories, majority of the stories
found were from searching for news updates in Birmingham and to follow those stories up I
would figure out who were the most appropriate people to call and I would find their contact
details. I would then contact the relevant people to ask them questions about issues raised in
the news story to get quotes and to bring life to the article.
However, there were some problems I encountered in doing this. One of the problems I
encountered the most was that sometimes the people contacted would have to refer me to
another appropriate person to answer my questions then the people I was referred to would
take a period of time to respond to me only to update me and tell me they could not give me a
response. Another problem I faced was people I had got into contact with not wanted to be
quoted in the stories that I was working on.
My personal contributions towards group projects was standard, I was able to publish articles
before the morning and afternoon deadline on the publication days except during the second
news week which was a result of me not being prepared. Therefore, I would definitely adjust
my behaviour in future projects in making sure that I am more prepared in similar future
projects.
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Logbook Contact Details:
Individual Editorial Calendar
Nubian Book Readers Club
The Drum
Friday 26th September- Friday 28th November 2014
(Last Friday of every month, 7.30pm)
Outspoken Open Mic Event
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The Drum
Tuesday 7th October 2014
7pm
The English Defence League Birmingham Demo
Various parts of Birmingham
Saturday 11th October 2014
A Tribute to Stuart Hall
Kajans Catering and Studio College
Saturday 11th October 2014
1-6pm
Mary Seacole- Film
Balsall Heath Library
Thursday 16th October 2014
5.30pm
Untangling the Politics of Black Hair
The Drum
Thursday 16th October 2014
7-9pm
International Recorder and Early Music Festival
Birmingham Conservatoire
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Friday 31st October- Sunday 2nd November 2014
10am-10pm
ESRC Festival of Social Science: Hate Crime and Islamophobia in Birmingham
Various venues
Monday 3rd- Friday 7th November 2014
5.30-7pm
‘Mind your head’ does Dyslexia Awareness Week
Birmingham City University, City South Campus- Seacole Building Foyer
Wednesday 5th November 2014
11am-3pm
Nas: Time is Illmatic- Film
The Electric Cinema
Saturday 8th November 2014- 2.30pm
Sunday 9th November 2014- 12.30pm
Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Market 2014
Victoria Square
Thursday 13th November- Monday 22nd December 2014
10am-9pm
Birmingham City University- Open Day
Birmingham City University (All campuses)
Saturday 15th November 2014
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9am-3pm
‘Black people vs. N****as: Race, Class and the N-word
The Drum
Thursday 20th November 2014
7-9pm
Anti-Bullying Event
The Hexagon
Friday 21st November 2014
12.30-5pm
‘Fired Up’ Ceramics Exhibition
Woodbridge Gallery
Wednesday 26th- Thursday 27th November 2015
10am-5pm
Talk Cancer workshop by Cancer Research UK
Carrs Lane Church Centre
Wednesday 26th November 2014
9.15am- 4pm
Launch of first St Giles Boutique Charity Shop
Former St Giles Shop at 28 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield
Thursday 27th November 2014
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5-7pm
Natural Hair Week Presents: Curls for a Cause
Stirlings Bar & Lounge
Friday 28th November 2014
7pm
Christmas Light Switch On in Chelmsley Wood
Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre
Saturday 29th November 2014
11.30am-4.15pm
‘African Dream- The Chronicles of Albinism of the Black Race’ Book Launch
Birmingham City University, City North Campus, Perry Barr
Monday 1st December 2014
6.30-8.30pm
‘It’s Time for Black Schools!’
Birmingham City University, City North Campus, Perry Barr, Edge Building- Room 523
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
3-4.30pm
Nereus Joseph with Friends
The Drum
Saturday 27th December 2014
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7pm
Individual Contacts Book
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Professionalism Assessment
In the publication days, I believe I did a standard job as operating within the news team each
week. However, there is definitely room for improvement and things I would do differently if
I were to do the publication days again.
In the last week of the publication days, communication was good between the editor and I,
she knew what stories I was working on for both the morning and afternoon deadlines,
whether I had published my news stories before the given deadline. However, in the
publication days prior to that, if I were to do things differently, I would make sure there was
more communication between myself and the chosen editors.
Moreover, I also change my approach in regards to the preparation for the publication days.
Majority of the time, I would come to news conferences unprepared and would have to search
the latest news that morning or afternoon to find a story to pitch at the news conference. If I
were to do things differently, I would definitely make sure I had news stories with the
relevant quotes from the relevant people prepared beforehand so that time would not be
wasted, especially with certain organisations that would take quite a bit of time to respond
and then later are not able to answer questions.
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Additionally, there was a legal or ethical issue that I did face during the publication weeks.
For example, prior to one of the news I had attended an event and spoke to some people but
they were adamant and finally did not give me permission to quote them in one of my
articles. This was an issue as I needed quotes and names for the piece that I was working on,
so I decided to use Twitter to find screenshots of people who had attended the event and
voiced their opinions that way. Consequently this created an issue surrounding privacy and
lack of permission as the users’ consent was not given to screenshot their tweets. Therefore,
if I were to do things differently, I would make sure there were other people to interview who
were willing to give their permission for me to quote them in an article. In addition, I would
make sure I had other back up stories to that if I absolutely could not get any quotes for a
particular story there would be another story to go back to.
Moreover, an article I was working on was regarding race and the use of the N-word, and the
person interviewed had used the N-word in his responses. There was an uncertainty on
whether to use the full word or use asterisks to bleep out the word, in the end I used the
asterisks so that it would be less offensive to audiences therefore this shows I was aware of
different audiences that may be reading my work.
In conclusion, the publication days went well but as discussed, there are things that I would
go back and change.
Word Count: 496 words
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Rewrite of a given news story
Knife surrender bins to be launched in Wolverhampton and
Birmingham
Knife surrender bins are to be launched in Wolverhampton and Birmingham this week
as both cities take a stand against knife crime.
‘Get a life, bin that knife’ is the campaign and events to support this and to also launch the
Knife surrender bins will be held on the 9th July at Whitmore Reans in Wolverhampton and
10th July in Edgbaston in Birmingham and will be hosted by international reggae artist Roach
Killa.
In Wolverhampton, the surrender bin will be unveiled by the widow of Commissioner Bob
Jones, Sarah Edmondson and his stepdaughter Frances Harrison. ‘It is a great to be able to
represent Bob. He cared about making life safer for within our communities and I hope this
knife bin will help towards doing that’ says Edmondson.
A purple knife bin at Edgbaston will be unveiled by Kathleen Harris, mother of Christina
Edkins, who was tragically killed in a knife attack in March last year. Everybody attending
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the event has been asked to wear something purple in Christina’s honour, as it was her
favourite colour. ‘We can never have our Christina back’ says Harris ‘But if this bin can help
one person get rid of one knife and save one life, then it will be worthwhile.’
Host of the event, Roach Killa, has been carrying out extensive work in West Midlands
schools to spread the awareness of knife crime stating: ‘those who want to dispose of a knife
in a safe place should have the opportunity and the facility to do so.’
‘We are asking all young people to encourage others to use the bins, making it clear that
things need to and can change’ says Sohian Hussain, Youth Commissioner for Birmingham.
‘It is in our hands, we are the ones that hold the power to make change happen’
Word Count: 300 words
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Declaration of Original Work
I can confirm that the work within the portfolio is all my original work.
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