Danielle Ricks Productions

04/10/2026

Nothing beats spring in DC, but spring at HU? Unmatched!

This is your Comms Prof giving you a spring semester check in. 🎓

04/05/2026

What happens when there is a monopoly on the media we consume?

Media consolidation not only determines what we watch, and this part is really important, but it also controls what we do NOT see. When ownership gets smaller, the impact gets bigger.

We’re already seeing the headlines:
✔️ Layoffs across newsrooms and studios
✔️ Fewer theatrical releases and more controlled distribution
✔️ Less diversity in the stories being told

As someone who has spent decades in this industry, I can tell you that who owns the media…controls the narrative. One day I’ll share some BET stories from the early years on this very subject. But what is happening right now, is the shrinking of the storytelling narrative. And when that happens, guess who is going to be left out of the stories?

Watch, then tell me, what stories do you feel we are in jeopardy of losing?

03/01/2026

When the world is in chaos, stand in your truth and purpose.

03/01/2026

Did you know that in FY’25, Maryland charged over 1,000 youth as adults? Yeah, neither did I. But attending the “Sentencing Children as Adults—Why it Matters” panel on Saturday was a major awakening for me.

Maryland currently sends more kids (ages 14-17) to adult court automatically, without a judge’s input, than any other state except Alabama.

Hearing the data and learning from experts like Senator Will Smith, Eddie Elli, Prof. Kristin Henning, and moderator Olinda Moyd, completely shifted my perspective.

This Community Education Forum was hosted by the Montgomery County Women’s Democratic Club and cosponsored by Action Youth Media, our “home away from home” while our satellite office is under renovation.

A lot is going on in the world around us. MCM is committed to telling the stories of our youth right here in Montgomery County. Local storytelling matters.

📸 Swipe for photos from the day
🎥 NexGen video recap coming soon.

02/09/2026

This is one of those “this is why I do this” moments. Hearing share her vision for the Center for Journalism & Democracy with our students was powerful.

With she’s creating space for the next generation of Black journalists to be bold, investigative, and honest without apology.

Professor Hannah-Jones shared, “The Black press has always realized that our journalism had to be, in some sense, advocacy.”

Moments like this remind me why being an adjunct at matters so much to me.

Preparing our baby Bison for careers in the media is my greatest joy.

02/07/2026

The year was 2013. We watched from the Newseum (now permanently closed) as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walked the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.

I was filled with so much pride and hope. That pride remains, but with the current administration, hope feels like it’s fading.

He is my forever President, and she is my forever First Lady.

📸: Official White House Photo by , plus my own shots from inside the Newseum.

01/09/2026

HU… you know!

When the culture shows up, so does Howard.

From iconic storylines to subtle nods, The Mecca has been referenced across TV and film for decades. Here are 9 shows and movies that put Howard University in the spotlight.

See the full list on the Dig: https://thedig.howard.edu/all-stories/catch-glimpse-mecca-9-tv-shows-and-films-reference-howard-university

12/20/2025

Fall semester 2025 at Howard University has come to a close! One of my CHSOC students, Jaren Smith—the one who famously told me I was his first Black professor—asked to “exchange digits” to stay in touch. He promised me a shout-out when he “makes it big,” but looking at him now, he’s already there!

So proud to see him stepping confidently into his new role as a weekend meteorologist for NBC4 Washington. Just a warning, Jaren: if I ask you what a broadcast-affiliate station is, you’d better have the right answer this time!

I’ve mostly given up on mainstream media, but I’m definitely tuning in for you. Waiting for that shout-out!

10/31/2025

YouTube TV to Drop Disney's ABC, ESPN and Other Networks After Two Sides Fail to Reach New Deal.

Disney’s networks including ESPN and ABC are going dark on YouTube TV. Google says YouTube TV expects to remove Disney’s networks at the stroke of midnight ET, after the two sides remain far apart on a deal renewal to keep ABC, ESPN and more on the internet TV service. The main sticking point is...

10/31/2025

CBS News to Overhaul Saturday Morning Show After Paramount Layoffs.

CBS News to Overhaul Saturday Morning Show After Paramount Layoffs

10/31/2025

Gayle King Addresses Report She Is Expected To Exit ‘CBS Mornings’: “I Am Here, And Glad To Be Here”

CBS News said the network has had "no discussions" with Gayle King about her contract amid a report she is expected to depart CBS Mornings.