Book Club I Quoted in "Qualified" by Shari Dunn

I feel honored to be included in this recent, and excellent book by Shari Dunn, an award-winning journalist, CEO, educator and author. It’s about one of my favorite topics: the importance of reality, aka diversity, in all facets of professional and public life.

I could tell that “Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work” (2025) would be deeply insightful with much-needed perspective, just from the questions Dunn asked me during the interview she conducted with me many months ago.

As a longtime media executive and journalist, I usually ask the questions and I was extremely impressed with her research and thoughtful approach. I am but a small part of this journey, but again, excited to be included and hopeful that shared experiences and hard-hitting statistics will prevail during a critical time in our country. Speaking of timing: This book is a must read for anyone in business, and is gratifying for women of color, and me as a Black woman, who all too often find ourselves on the very edge of glass cliffs.

You’ll be struck by Dunn’s engaging and enlightening use of historic and contemporary anecdotes, including a U.S. soldier coming home triumphant to be immediately faced with Jim Crow laws that emboldened a bus driver to call him a “boy” and instigate a devastating, debilitating attack by racist police.

She delves into her own history where she was part of a competency check… at birth. A nurse at the hospital in which she was born misspelled her name on her birth certificate after doubting, and overriding, Dunn’s own mother’s decision.

Sigh.

I can’t do the full work justice with a few sentences. Buy the book HERE and if you want to have a book club discussion, let me know, I’m in.

Article | Why Isn't the Media Celebrating Sinners’ Wunmi Musako as Annie?

“Sinners” is an excellent, beautifully made film starring a plethora of equally beautiful people.

Heartthrob Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers “Smoke” and “Stack”, young men with a penchant for both crime and entrepreneurism. The nuances of each performance are Oscar-worthy, but on a carnal level, it gives audiences double the exposure to the “Creed” star’s dazzling smile and sculpted muscles.

Over on TikTok, they’re understandably thirsting over edits of “Bo,” the Chinese American store owner and an unrepentant ally in the Mississippi town that serves as the setting. Equal attention is emerging for Irish-born vampire and semi-sympathetic villain, Jack O'Connell as “Remmick.” The vamp with an alluring singing voice and a mean jig to go with it gives “Black Panther’s” Killmonger a run for his money with his charismatic approach to “turning” potential victims with talk of racial harmony and unity.

When it comes to the women of “Sinners,” most of the media attention has gone to Hailee Steinfeld, portraying “Mary,” the white-passing love interest of Stack’s. If you were to watch the press tour alone, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume that Steinfeld plays an outsized role in the film as she and Jordan’s smoldering chemistry has been noted during various red carpet moments, as well as a flirty episode of “Hot Ones” (no additional pun intended).

Read the rest on my new substack, I Dream of Screams, HERE

Scary Good | Check Out My New Horror Newsletter

I have been a fan of horror since I was about six years old.

Well, at six, I was terrified having gotten a sneaked glimpse of “The Exorcist,” and spent weeks drawing levitating girls with distended bellies but…let’s just say later I had an appreciation for a good scare.

I’ve read countless horror novels; watched thousands of films and TV series; and even co-produced and co-written an homage to classic characters, including “Carrie” and "The Ring’s” ‘Samara,” in the second season of a buzzy Web series, “Human Resources.”

And when I worked for the Tribune RedEye years ago, one of my annual Halloween traditions was to write a “Kyles Files” column counting down the most frightsome films I’d ever seen, and inviting readers to enter their own “scare dare” candidates. I always enjoyed learning about revisiting ‘70s peak horror or celebrating modern classics, including “The Conjuring,” “It Follows,” and “Terrified,” to name a few.

Most recently, I launched a newsletter on the Substack platform called “I Dream of Screams.” It’s a bi-monthly themed round-up of the best in the genre, across books, series and films. If you, like me, need an escape from the current horrors going on in this country, give it a look and if you like it, I welcome new subscribers.

As I always say, the more, the scarier. See you there.

Pay people, period | Wage equity is racial equity

I am so grateful to the Philanthropy News Digest for a platform to discuss a topic that is very important to me, and hopefully to anyone interested in a workforce centered on equity. Please check out my byline about why, nonprofit or not, we have to find a way to compensate our teams equitably, starting with our students and continuing into those who make what we do possible.

INTERVIEW | FOX SOUL "BOOK OF SEAN": YR MEDIA'S BEHIND OUR MASKS

Thanks to Dr. Sean, host of “Book of Sean” on FOX Soul for inviting YR Media to talk about the “Behind Our Masks” project that our talented youth teams in journalism and interactive completed in partnership with Boyle Heights Beat, Coachella Unincorporated, and The kNOw. The work, which was led by one of YR Media’s allstar alumni staff, Nancy DeVille, shines a bright light on the stories of young people, particularly in the BIPOC community, and how they have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch the segment HERE and please keep reading, watching and sharing the stories that are being told.

Interview | Good Housekeeping

It is 110% clear the #BlackGirlMagic was in plentiful supply during the 2020 Elections. And of course, we’re not a monolith, so Good Housekeeping asked a number of African American women leaders their thoughts on what the Biden-Harris Administration can do to improve the lives of the demographic that showed up and out at the polls and put them into office. You can read the article right HERE, and I must send a shout out to the incredible team at ZM Communications. They are the strategic communications partners for the organization I run at YR Media and are constantly working to make sure that our organization and stakeholders are represented in important conversations like this one. Respect.

Interview | Authority Magazine

Thank you to the team at Authority who offered me a platform to discuss my career, inspirations and the throughline of advocacy for diversity that I’ve been passionate about for my 20-plus years as a journalist and communicator. Please check it out HERE and let’s say this all together now: Diversity = reality.

Interview | Youth Media + 2020 Elections and Racial Reckoning (San Francisco Public Press))

The San Francisco Public Press wanted to get a sense of how youth media dealt with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and the tumultuous 2020 elections, and of course COVID. It was a true pleasure sharing space with one of YR Media’s incredible national correspondents, Erianna Jiles. Listen in to the whole CONVERSATION.

Interview | Millennial Source

When the interviewer becomes the interviewee. I recently got the opportunity to talk with the Millennial Source about issues of racial equity, including #BlackLivesMatter, that must be addressed. With help from my amazing team at YR Media, I also highlighted young activists who will be pivotal to change-making. Check out the article and see what other Black leaders at organizations how to say on these topics HERE.

APPEARANCE | BREAKING THE SONIC "COLOR" LINE AT ADCOLOR

I’m so excited to be part of ADCOLOR’s virtual event, an exploration of how detrimental it is for organizations to ignore diversity. Here’s the description of the overall event, and I get the honor to join a conversation that includes Pandora/Sirius XM Group Creative Director Roger Sho Gehrmann, MC Lyte, and VP of the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences Joan Baker.  

“ADCOLOR Everywhere is our chance to go beyond a physical event. To invite more people, more industries, more countries. We’ll have tough conversations and amplify the voices of our community to create a virtual event that will help us navigate the challenges and emotions of 2020 and keep us strong in our fight. ADCOLOR remains true to our goal of creating a community of diverse professionals who support and celebrate one another. This year will be no different. We will set the bar virtually with innovative content, a live main-stage, cutting-edge breakouts and networking opportunities that will live on long after the conference. Join us as we virtually convene top innovators, experts and thought leaders from multiple creative industries: advertising, marketing, media, entertainment, public relations and tech. “ 

MY WRITING | VOTE OR REPORT? IT'S NOT EVEN A CHOICE FOR BIPOC JOURNALISTS

Throughout my journalism career, I have always been in somebody’s voting booth come November. And despite naysayers (including some close colleagues) who think that we ought to abstain, I say “naw.” Read the ARTICLE in full at Philanthropy News Digest to get a full understanding of why I do my job as a voter and encourage young journalists to do the same.

APPEARANCE | JUNETEENTH, NO LONGER IN THE SHADOWS OF HISTORY (WDET)

One of my favorite editorial colleagues (and people) of all time LaToya “Toi” Cross is doing big things in production at WDET in her native Detroit, and she kindly invited me on air to talk with the amazing Amanda LeClaire. We talked about why Juneteenth needs to be celebrated by everybody, every year and as a holiday. Find out more when you click this LINK.

CAREER NEWS | JOINING YR MEDIA AS CEO

It hardly matters “where” we really are anymore, thanks to this COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place that follows. We’re all virtual. But for those still grappling with geography, if you hadn’t heard, I’ve relocated to the Bay Area, Oakland specifically, for a mighty media mission.

My new role is as CEO as YR Media, a 26-year-old, award-winning nonprofit that provides education and a platform for both journalistic and artistic expression for youth between the ages of 18 to 24. Our creators are mainly of color and living in underrepresented communities so their voices are vital to the national narrative.

Not only does it teach media education, music production and other arts, it offers employment to those who come up through the programs. In fact, compensating our emerging content creators is the cornerstone of our mission.

I have taken the reigns at YR Media at a rather interesting time for this country. I came in eager to meet many of our funders, donors, volunteers, community partners, collaborators and alumni, only to find many in-person meetings turned into Zooms. The awesome downtown Oakland offices that YR Media considers its hub are shuttered for now, and my living room in my new digs is my official office.

Still, regardless of the current situation, I am excited for this opportunity and the impact of working with the powerful, passionate team at this organization. Newsrooms won’t change until the people change. The recording industry too could do with a staff (in front of AND the shot-callers behind the scenes) that better reflects the reality of America. YR Media is at the forefront of this shift.

I hope that those who have been so supportive of my career as I worked in the Chicago market will continue to do the same in the sibling city of Oakland. The latter definitely has a vibe that reminds me of the City of Win, albeit without the hawk that bears down on us every winter.

Read more about YR Media here and please sign up for our newsletter so you can stay in the know and support, whether as volunteers or (if you can) with financial offerings to keep our young storytellers from going silent, especially now.

I look forward to a time when I can get out and about again in my new city and also travel to Chicago, as well as other top media hubs including Atlanta; New York; Jackson, Mississippi; and New Orleans to share more about what Team YR has in the works. Until then, we’ll keep getting the word out virtually and I hope that my Kyles Files fam will support me from the sidelines.

MY WRITING | Saluting the Sci Fi Sisterhood (ZORA)

Anyone who knows me, knows I love sci fi and fantasy. I’ve been a Ray Bradbury, Rod Serling, Piers Anthony fan since I started developing my taste in literature. But those names are rather vanilla and homogeneous if you think about it, and that is why it was such a thrill to accept an assignment from Medium’s ZORA magazine writing about this very subject. The plot twist: African American, Asian, and indigenous female writers are taking over the game, signing lucrative literary and film deals. I got the opportunity to talk to some of them and this is the result.

Take a read HERE if you get a chance, and let me know what you think!

APPEARANCE | Soulless: Critical Conversation about a Pop Pariah

“Soulless” is what happens when entertainment and investigative journalism intersect to shine a light on a horror that impacted young Black girls and women in Chicago and beyond. Earlier this summer, I got the opportunity to interview one of my earliest media mentors Jim DeRogatis, who originally broke the story on allegations that now disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly engaged in a pattern of grooming, sexually abusing and then paying off young girls. Over a decade after Kelly largely beat those accusations, developments in the case and increased attention brought by Lifetime documentary and the #MuteRKelly campaign, Kelly is behind bars awaiting a trial on federal charges and DeRogatis has published a revealing account of his dogged pursuit of the truth and his concern for young Black women and girls who are all too often discarded and disregarded.

 #MuteRKelly co-founders Kenyette Barnes and Oronike Odeleye joined DeRogatis in conversation, sharing their powerful protest of Kelly that has all but eradicated Kelly’s touring potential and placed the attention where it belongs: the young ladies whose lives have been forever impacted by not only Kelly, but by sexual predators all over the country.

If you’ve got some time, check out video from the event, powered by the Chicago Humanities Festival and held at the Chop Shop in Chicago’s Wicker Park. Ignore the comments, ‘cuz…R.Kelly-apologist trolls are in full effect.

Because CHF understands that one cannot care for their community without care for themselves, volunteers from Resilience, Between Friends and OurMusicMyBody will be available throughout the program to offer support. If you are feeling triggered, overwhelmed or just need to take a moment away from the conversation, our volunteers are here for you.

CAREER NEWS | JOINING Field Foundation AS Media & Storytelling PROGRAM OFFICER

Expanding media diversity has been one of my missions throughout my 20-plus year career, so I am so excited to announce a new role I’ve taken on at the Field Foundation. In early April, I became the Media & Storytelling Program Officer for the foundation, joining an amazing, all-star team supporting Justice, the Arts and Leadership Investment in Chicago. You can read more about the program HERE.

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady! Our Field family is feeling complete with Kyra Kyles now officially in the office. #fieldfoundation #fieldfoundationofillinois

19 Likes, 2 Comments - Field Foundation of Illinois (@fieldfoundation) on Instagram: "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady! Our Field family is feeling complete with Kyra Kyles now..."

MY WRITING | ARE DARK-SKINNED WOMEN NOT GETTING MARRIED? (TheGrio)

If we’re being honest, “The Blacks” already have so many things topping our collective agenda there really isn’t much room left for any kind of self-enforced colorism.

Fair housing.
Voters rights.
The prison industrial complex.

You get the picture, hopefully in high def.

Yet, here we sit, somewhat deeply divided by yet another digital discussion of #teamlightskin versus #teamdarkskin.

This latest battle royale comes courtesy of a recent column in The Guardian, one in a series of articles about the color-coded caste system invented by White enslavers. Opinion writer Dream McClinton starts off “Why Black Girls Like Me Aren’t Getting Married” with a raw, honest look at one Black woman’s experience in her self-described “mahogany” skin.

Read the rest of the column HERE.

Feature Image: Caroline Veronez

Interview | "Reel Black List" (Reel Chicago)

As if Black History Month isn’t exciting enough, I am absolutely honored and excited to announce that both I and my partner in screenwriting crime, Kozi Kyles, were profiled by Reel Chicago as part of their commemoration of The Culture. Check out the kind words written about yours truly right HERE and of course, you must learn more about my super sibling HERE.