MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy was recognized by WJLA- TV-7 (ABC) as the top student-educational media program in the DMV. MJT-TV appeared on the Good Morning DC broadcast to discuss the academy and the importance of creating spaces for youth to grow and learn the media industry. The MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy brought two matriculating students on the show to speak about their experiences with the host Roxanne Strouk.
MJT-TV Excel Broadcasting Academy is a company that trains DC Area high school students to work in the media and communication industry. Founded by William Maurice Johnson and William Marshall Jr. in 2010, students learn how to use cameras, light, sound, audio, write scripts, co-produce, and direct entire town halls. The topics include voting, financial literacy, and mental health.
“Students run everything. They develop topics for poems and commercials with segments on the effects, causes, and solutions,” Mr. Johnson stated, when asked about the reasoning for creating the special program.
“This is one of the many issues that MJT-TV Excel confronts, getting young people out of sheltered uninspiring environments, it changes their whole sense of economics and they understand that they can be in professional careers that they enjoy,” he said.
“A unique program like MJT-TV Excel prepares DC youth students to flourish and excel, especially once you put them in the middle of the broadcast industry. You are truly building their confidence and skills so they can become leaders in the field,” Mr. Marshall said.
Micheala Steknee, (a rising First-year at Northwestern University student) and Isaiah Fields, (a rising third year at George Mason University student), both spoke about their experience with the Academy. Micheala has been with the program for 8 weeks, she was assigned by the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program and Isaiah has been with the program for 4 years, starting as a student at McKinley Tech High School.
During the interview with the host Roxanne Strouk, the teens discussed the importance of having a program that allows them to experience various careers in the media.
“My favorite part of MJT is the people I got to work with and building a community. It is really something special and something that deserves to be seen,” Micheala reflected on her time with the program.
“Being given a chance to have all these new industry experiences and go to a television broadcast is something I would have never imagined myself doing–even in 10 weeks,” Micheala stated.
“Memory of a lifetime,” Isaiah said when reflecting on this MJT-TV Excel experience.
MJT-TV Excel invited two special guests to meet the students. Department of Employment Services Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program community based liaison, Myra Deloatch and the Office of Deputy Mayor for Education–Office of Out-of-School Learn 24 Program Public Affairs Associate Shaleyah McDowell, a native Washingtonian. The invited guests expressed their appreciation for the program and want to continue to support this program and all the youth of DC.
“Being able to witness and be a part of change for the youth, it is a full circle moment. I enjoy now being the person responsible for highlighting these types of programs that make a great effort for the youth,” McDowell said.
As she illuminated her excitement, she continued, “I am looking forward to continuing to inspire and be a part of great change for the city,” she said.
Sloane Holder is a media acquisition assistant for MJT-TV Excel and a Columbia University student.
