The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists hosted the “Finding Your Voice” public speaking workshop with Emmy Award-winning journalist, media personality, international speaker and coach Bofta Yimam February 23, 2019 at Maryland Public Television. Approximately 20 journalists and media-related professionals attended the 90 minute interactive workshop designed to help individuals learn ways to verbally get their messages across.
Public speaking is one of the most popular causes of anxiety for Americans. The National Institute of Mental Health reports nearly 73% of Americans have some form of glossophobia — speech anxiety caused by the fear of public speaking. This means a greater number of people fear public speaking more than death.
No matter your role on your job, in today’s multimedia newsrooms and media-related professions, journalists and public relations professionals are expected to be ready to go on-air at any time. This workshop offered BABJ members and supporters a chance to “find their voices” for those on-air appearances, speeches, panels, talking points, podcasts and more.
Do not shrink your voice. Speak with confidence. #BABJPublicSpeaking. @BABJ_md pic.twitter.com/zsk6HSLsRG
— Nicki Mayo (@nickimayonews) February 23, 2019
With my @SGJCMSU bros! @vanceb_ and I are OGs that don’t know how to act while @Bayoung84 & @Tramon_WBAL remain professional Hahahaha. #BABJPublicSpeaking pic.twitter.com/gAftV2jMHY
— Brian H. Waters 📱💻📸📹🎮 (@brianhwaters) February 23, 2019
Record the wins. @BABJ_md Secretary/Treasure @woo_sha shares how she uses her “Yaasss Queen” file to record her daily public speaking wins during the #BABJPublicSpeaking workshop with @BoftaYimam. #JournoLife pic.twitter.com/P2weKFHbj4
— Nicki Mayo (@nickimayonews) February 23, 2019
“In order to change the thinking, you have to disrupt the pattern,” @BoftaYimam schools @BABJ_md about public speaking #BABJPublicSpeaking pic.twitter.com/kTpz7wkC4u
— Shantee’ Woo. Felix (@woo_sha) February 23, 2019