NBCU Academy’s Next Level Summit: Promoting Diversity & Understanding Audiences

November 02, 2023

NBCU Academy reflects NBCUniversal’s Commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of access and opportunity to people across all genders, races, geographic and socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives.  

Highlights from the Next Level Summit

NBCU Academy, a free, award-winning education program hosted their fourth “Next Level Summit” last week live from NBC News’ Meet the Press studio in Washington, DC. During the all-day training program, offered at no cost, students and early stage professionals had the opportunity to engage with NBCU leadership, attend keynote presentations, breakout panels, and career exposition sessions. Representatives from more than 10 NBCUniversal businesses including Peacock, NBC Sports, and CNBC covered topics like streaming, social media and diverse representation in news.  

Students Attendees heard from legendary veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell, NBC News chief Washington correspondent, chief foreign affairs correspondent and host of MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” on her 45 years of reporting for the network and how she’s become one of the most trusted journalists of our time. Kristen Welker, who was recently named the newest moderator of Meet the Press kicked off the summit in Washington, DC, while NBC News Daily co-anchor Zinhle Essamuah hosted the summit from New York’s 30 Rock.  

The Importance of Knowing Your Audience

Yvette Miley, executive vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, NBCU News Group, said: “The Next Level Summit embodies our commitment to fostering an inclusive and representative future for journalism. This event is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can contribute to the media landscape.” 

No matter the product, platform or person, knowing your audience is critical to success. From the newsroom to the boardroom, audience matters in every aspect of our work in journalism, entertainment, production, marketing, public relations and beyond.  

Watch the panels from NBCU Academy’s fourth “Next Level Summit” here.  

About NBCU Academy and its Vision

NBCU Academy is a free, award-winning education program for developing new skills and advancing careers in journalism, media and technology. Through our multi-platform initiative — video tutorials, best practices articles, virtual summits and in-person panels — NBCU Academy provides tools and resources for journalists, content creators, media innovators, filmmakers and students. This includes partnerships with 45 academic institutions across the country: four-year universities, community colleges, tribal colleges, tech schools, PWIs, HSIs and HBCUs. NBCU Academy is part of Project UP, Comcast NBCUniversal’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.