June 8, 2020
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Leaders, Workers, and Entrepreneurs!
 
MMTC President's Message  
Dear Friends,
 
I am so proud of the next generation of leaders who boldly risked their lives and defied curfews -- in the midst of a pandemic -- to state unequivocally that "enough is enough." I joined them this weekend at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC, and for the first time in a many months: I felt hope.

Like the video of Mr. Floyd's life being taken before our very eyes, the COVID-19 pandemic ripped the sheet off the injustices and inhumanities that have existed in our country and in everything we say and do - in healthcare, in education, in wealth creation, in employment, and in technology and communications.  

Thanks to technology and communications, we know about George Floyd's death. Thanks to technology and communications, we know about the continued excessive use of force by law enforcement officers against peaceful protesters and members of the press. Thanks to technology and communications, we can mobilize and spread important public safety and health information. Thanks to technology and communications, we can advocate for change in ways unlike any other time in history.

Some say this moment marks the beginning of the end of "the American experiment." I believe it marks transformative moment in which we can address the root causes of systemic inequities that prevent us from being truly great.

What we at MMTC do every day as advocates and builders of the next generation of communications leaders, professionals, and workers is critical to healing the nation.

And in order to heal, it is morally imperative that we use our voices and resources to uplift the people we are assigned to serve. We must commit to building a society where everyone has full, first-class access to, proficiency with, and diverse representation at all levels of leadership in technology and communications.
 
In the words of civil rights leader and activist, Ella Baker: "Until the death of a Black woman's son is as important as the death of a White woman's son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest." 

Sincerely.
Maurita K. Coley
President and CEO, MMTC


Photo Credit (top photo): Actipedia.org 
What's in This Newsletter 
In this newsletter, we share with you some of the things we are engaged with to help ensure diverse leaders, workers, and owners in technology and communications:
  • MMTC Summer Fellows:  In April, we welcomed six summer legal fellows! Learn more about our next generation (see below).
  • FCBA Summer Law Seminar: Starting tonight at 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m, MMTC partners with the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) in its launch of a FREE Summer Communications Law Seminar. Register for the series here.
  • Read NAACP DC's new "COVID-19 Black Owned Business Directory here.
  • Read MMTC's Tech Career Guide and MMTC's Tech Business Guide and share them with your friends who need help navigating their next move (see below).
Meet MMTC 2020 Summer Fellows
Oscar Draughn  is a rising second-year student at Florida A&M University College of Law. Prior to law school, Draughn was employed with the Arizona Department of Health Services as an enforcement specialist. He earned earned a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. 

Amber Edney is  a rising second-year student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Edney received the Ethos of Excellence Scholarship and serves as the Director of Communications for the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. She is also active in Art Law Society and Black Law Students Association. 

Robert Gallinar  is a rising second-year student at Florida International University (FIU) College of Law. Gallinar received the  Dean's Merit Scholarship, He serves on the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Executive Board; FIU Law Negotiation and Mediation Team; International Law Students Association; and Business Law Society Executive Board.

Ashton Hampton  is a third-year student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Hampton is also a Master of Arts in Mass Communication at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. She has co-authored two law review articles as a Graduate Research Fellow for the Marion B. Brechner First Amendment Project. As a graduate research assistant at the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information, she also investigated First Amendment issues of public access and analyzed developments in media law and policy. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Association and Vice President for Entertainment of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.

Nick Owen  is a rising third-year student at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Owen was awarded the Governor's Scholarship and is a member of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy.

Marissa Zink  is a rising second-year student at the Florida International University College of Law. Zink was awarded the Dean's Scholarship and the CALI Award of Excellence, Legal Skills and Values.  She is a member of the Women's Law Society and the Business Law Society.  
 10  Things Every 3L Should Do  When 
Seeking A Job in Communications Law
By David Honig, Erwin Krasnow & Ananda Leeke
You've now spent two years in law school, taking the required courses and a few electives.  Now is the time to focus on how to get the right job after you graduate and take the bar exam.

Communications Law is sometimes is referred to as "FCC Practice."  The FCC - that formerly sleepy federal agency - today presides over 1/6th of the economy.  Its direct reach includes radio, television, cable, mobile communications and satellites; it also exercises regulatory influence over newspapers, broadband, and the internet.  Together these industries produce our largest exports and make possible our democracy.  The FCC is charged with the honor of being the cradle of the First Amendment. [1]

But the field of communications law is larger by far than the FCC's wide footprint.  Communications practice includes advocacy before state public service commissions, the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA"), the federal courts of appeals and, increasingly, the U.S. Supreme Court. 

In addition to jobs at law firms and federal or state agencies, communications practitioners can be found working at trade associations, in-house at media and telecom corporations, and at public interest, civil rights, consumer groups, and other non-governmental organizations ("NGOs").

The nation's 3,500 communications lawyers are among the smartest and the most socially conscious and compassionate practitioners in the world.  In our opinion, nowhere in the legal profession can a more satisfying career be launched than in communications practice.  You will come home from work every day thinking "THIS was why I went to law school."

We appreciate the opportunity given us by MMTC to channel our inner David Letterman by presenting our Top 10 List  of things to do when seeking to enter the practice of  communications law:
  1. Join the Federal Communications Bar Association ("FCBA") here and serve on one or two of its committees as a law student member.  It's a great way to network!
  2. In your upcoming third year of law school, take Administrative Law and earn an "A." "Ad Law" usually is a prerequisite for the courses in item #8 below. Speaking of grades, endeavor to get good grades in your courses -- a high class ranking will set you apart from other job applicants.  
  3. Take electives that are relevant to FCC Practice - especially Telecommunications Law, Media Law, Copyright Law and Internet Law. 
  4. Go on MMTC's website here  and consider applying to its Mentorship and Pipeline  Committee to be assigned to a communications lawyer who will serve as your mentor. MMTC's fellowship, internship, pipeline and mentorship programs have trained and mentored students and professionals for careers in media, telecom and tech. 
  5. Make sure your resume sets out your undergraduate and law school GPAs (if 3.3 or more) and class standing (if at least in the top third of the class).  Keep in mind that law firms have few ways to distinguish applicants except by the quality of their law school and their grades or class rankings -  the selection process is often based on a "numbers game." And contrary to the well-intentioned advice of most career counselors, we recommend that you list in your resume two or three strong references, provided that they are dignitaries or very well-known practitioners who are willing to extol your virtues. Include your LinkedIn profile link on your resume.  
  6. In your cover letter and resume, emphasize the richness of your employment and educational background as well as evidence of your longstanding interest in communications law and policy. Make sure that your resume and cover letter are "letter-perfect." Both your cover letter and your interview should be tailored to emphasize the skills and experiences that would be beneficial to your prospective employer.  
  7. Is there a Member of Congress or other dignitary who would be willing to call trade associations, government agencies or law firms to inquire about a job for you? Although a long shot, it  may result in your gaining legal employment in the media and telecom world.  
  8. If you're applying "cold" to a law firm, address your cover letter to a senior name partner or the chair of the firm's communications group. Your letter will then get routed to the head of the firm's hiring committee. Also, research partners and associates who are alumni of your college, university, and law school. Use this connection to set up an informational interview (video or phone call) with the partner and associate. Use the informational interview to begin to build a relationship with the firm. Apply the same approach to federal agencies and organizations. 
  9. Do an internship, externship, or fellowship with a law firm or one of the subject-matter expert organizations in the field, such as MMTC, the National Urban League, Public Knowledge, Common Sense Media, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc, or the National Council of Negro Women.  If you can't get academic or pro bono credit from your law school, do it anyway as a volunteer.  You likely will gain extraordinary value for the investment of your time.
  10. Join LinkedIn and Twitter to stay updated on communications law issues and network with communications law professionals. Use your legal name as your user profile name. Keep your LinkedIn profile updated with a professional photo, law school publications and activities, and employment and volunteer experience. In your Twitter profile, include your law school's Twitter handle and year of study (3L @HowardLawSchool), one accomplishment, and one extracurricular activity (member of the law journal or legal organization). Add your LinkedIn profile link as your website.If you have written an article about communications law that is published online, post and pin the link to your LinkedIn and Twitter. The article demonstrates your writing skills and interest in communications law. Follow the FCC, NTIA, FCBA, MMTC, and other agencies, organizations, media, and firms involved in communications law on social media. Share and comment on content posted by these groups in a responsible and professional manner.  
About the Authors
 
David Honig convened the founding meeting of MMTC in 1986 and served for 24 years as MMTC's CEO.  As President Emeritus and Senior Advisor, he manages MMTC's fellowships.

Erwin Krasnow, the "Dean of the Communications Bar," is Vice Chair of the MMTC Board of Directors, where he also co-chairs the Mentoring Committee.

Ananda Leeke serves as the Chief Social Media Officer of MMTC.

[1] 47 U.S.C. §32 
MMTC  Partners with Federal Communications 
Bar Association on Summer Seminar Series
MMTC has partnered with The Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) to present a Summer Seminar Series offering free summer communications law course online. The series is offered on Mondays, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via Zoom, beginning Monday, June 8 through Monday, July 27. 

Register here.
NAACP DC Branch Publishes 
COVID-19 Black Business Directory
The NAACP DC Branch's COVID-19 Black Business Directory is the most up-to-date listing of Washington, DC's black-owned businesses. This special Directory was produced through one-on-one talks between the NAACP DC Branch and over fifty black-owned business representatives from all over the District. Open it to learn about each business and how they have adapted to safely serve you despite the pandemic. From hand-made Fathers Day cards and socially-distant dance lessons, to law firms and dental services, this Directory has every good and service you need; all black-owned and black made. 

Go here to read the Directory.  
MMTC CEO Addresses  COVID-19 and Communications Disparities with  House  Subcommittee  on Communications Technology Staffers

On June 2, MMTC President and CEO Maurita Coley joined leaders from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Center for Media Justice, and Color of Change for  a virtual presentation on COVID-19 and its impact on our nation's vulnerable communities, delivered to the staffers at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. 

Coley's presentation addressed: 
  • COVID-19's impact on access to education, employment, telehealth, and minority-owned businesses
  • Support for minority broadcasters that are providing essential coverage to their communities, including potential stimulus provisions to facilitate the purchase of airtime on minority-owned media
  • An MMTC-led coalition effort for broadcasting reforms that would permit minority-owned stations to better serve their communities - read the support letter signed by 22 organizations here.
  • Support for the FCC's Keep Americans Connected Pledge, as well as how to address challenges such as informing communities of the benefits and how to obtain them through targeted outreach and FCC-driven public awareness campaigns - learn more at MMTC's COVID-19 portal here.
  • MMTC's joint filings advocating for reforms to the Lifeline program and multilingual emergency communications, as well as an upcoming joint letter advocating for a stimulus-provided connectivity voucher that goes further than the HEROES Act's current provisions, and an upcoming joint op ed by FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, the National Action Network, MMTC, and others.
  • The importance of Registered Apprenticeship (RA) as a means to connect unemployed and underemployed Americans to the growing demand for skilled workers needed to build out, maintain, and update our nation's telecommunications infrastructure - learn more about MMTC's RA work and how to become a partner or RA program sponsor here.
 MMTC Presents at FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee Meeting
On March 27, MMTC's Dr. Rikin Thakker presented the progress report on behalf of "Broadband Deployment Job Skills and Training Opportunities" working group (Dr. Thakker is co-chair), along with working group Chair Leticia Latino-van Splunteren, to the FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee members . Early impacts of COVID-19 on W orkforce  were discussed. The group highlighted the demand of skilled workforce during the pandemic and discussed how the post-COVID-19 era will impact the telecom workforce. Working group members also acknowledged the dedication and hard work of all the staff and Commissioners at the FCC and appreciated FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for his leadership and many vital initiatives, including the "Keep Americans Connected Pledge."

Listen to the audio recording of the virtual meeting here (Dr. Thakker's presentation starts at 1:16:00 and ends at 2:27:00). 
Check Out MMTC's COVID-19 Portal 
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, MMTC created a COVID-19 Portal on our website to track our response, the FCC's response, and the  efforts of the cable, telecommunications, media, and entertainment industries including our partners, AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, CTIA, Motion Picture Association, NCTA - Internet & Television Association, T-Mobile, US Telecom, and Verizon to expand broadband access to and inform Americans. 

The Portal also includes resources created by MMTC, partner organizations, and other groups that address the needs of communities of color, families, and small businesses.

Over the past several weeks, MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers has reached out to radio and television station owners to provide helpful information about small business loan programs and advice on how to apply for the loans to keep their stations on-the-air and serve the public.

MMTC's COVID-19 Portal is available here.  
Longtime Broadcast Friend, Entrepreneur, Hit by Protest in St. Paul
by Suzanne Gougherty

Kongsue Xiong, an immigrant from Laos, an American citizen, and a minority broadcast owner is struggling today.   His building was vandalized during the protest in St. Paul.

MMTC has continued to mentor Kongsue for more than a decade.  Asian American Broadcasting, the format is AM 690 broadcasting to Hmong American community, News Talk and Entertainment 7 days week to one of the largest Hmong populations in the United States.
 
He began working with MMTC when radio station KFXN-AM 690 was donated to MMTC from now iHeart Radio; Kongsue ran the station for many years under an LMA;  in 2014 became the licensee and operator of the station.   Today he is facing a difficult time keeping his station on-the-air and dealing with damage to his building, which is an unexpected expense.  In the past weeks, prior to the protests his equipment began to fail, he now has to invest in restoring his studio building from the protest damage.  More than ever he needs our assistance to replace radio gear so he can continue to keep the Hmong community in St. Paul informed.
 
MMTC is seeking to assist him to get over this hurdle by soliciting on his behalf radio gear to be donated to Asian American Broadcasting.   Please let us know how you might help, reach out to Suzanne Gougherty or David Honig at sgougherty@mmtconline.org or david@davidhonig.org.
 
About the Author

Suzanne Gougherty serves as the Director at  MMTC Broadcasting, LLC and MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers.
MMTC Alumni News
 
Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, former MMTC Vice President and Chief Research & Policy Officer, was recently promoted to senior fellow  in the Brookings Institution's Governance Program's Center for Technology Innovation. Learn more about Dr. Turner Lee's work and publications here.
Calling All MMTC Alumni and Fellows!
We Need Your Help in 2020!
Please share your updated contact information and career news with Dorrissa Griffin, MMTC Chief of Staff, at dgriffin@mmtconline.org.
MMTC 2020 Census Resources 
Participate in the 2020 Census Today!
Participate in the 2020 Census Today!

This year, MMTC is continuing our commitment to close the digital divide by helping communities of color prepare for, understand, and participate in the first-ever digital 2020 Decennial Census, with resources published on our website.

MMTC a nd more than 275 organizations and civic leaders have taken the Census Confidentiality Protection Pledge to work together during the 2020 Census: 1) to monitor for any breach of census data confidentiality; 2) to use our collective power and influence to prevent, block, and/or bring an end to any breach of the currently-established guarantee and understanding of the confidentiality of data collected as part of the 2020 Census; and 3) to emphasize publicly the critical importance of continued Census safety and security. Learn more about the Pledge here.
 
MMTC also joined several other groups to launch the Census Pledge social media campaign, led by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC, and MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund). 

Watch the PSA video here to learn why you should participate in the 2020 Census. 

Go  here  to access MMTC's 2020 Census Resources.
MMTC Partner News
AT&T, Charter,  T-Mobile, and Verizon Named to  
Forbes Corporate Responders Ranking List
AT&T, Charter, T-Mobile, and Verizon were included in the new Forbes Corporate Responders ranking list, which in partnership with JUST Capital, assessed how well the 100 largest employers among U.S. public companies responded to the COVID-19 public health crisis. 

Read the full article here.

Photo Credit: Forbes.com
Download, Share, and Support  MMTC's 
Jumpstart Tech  Career and Business Guides  


MMTC created the  Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide   and Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide to support those who are looking to start or strengthen their careers and businesses in the tech industry. The   MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide   provides a four-step process along with resources to help you develop and execute your tech job search strategy. The four steps include:
  • Step 1: Do relevant work.
  • Step 2: Listen to the buzz.
  • Step 3: Start applying.
  • Step 4: Identify conferences and tech weeks to attend for training, resources, information sharing, and networking.

Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or a mid-level or seasoned professional exploring tech entrepreneurship, the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide provides a five-step process along with resources to help you develop and execute a strategy to launch your business. The five steps include:

  • Step 1: Launch Your Tech Business
  • Step 2: Fund Your Tech Business
  • Step 3: Target Funders Who Support Diversity
  • Step 4: Partner with Corporate Supplier Diversity Programs
  • Step 5: Identify Peer Groups, Continuing Education Opportunities, Conferences and Events 
Download the FREE guides and share then with your network.
  • Go here  to get a copy of the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Career Guide
  • Go here  to get a copy of the MMTC Jumpstart Your Tech Business Guide
Help MMTC expand the guides with a donation. Go here to donate. 
Subscribe to MMTC TV 

Have you seen MMTC TV yet? Go here to watch videos of MMTC's Broadband and Social Justice Summits and Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conferences. 
 
Social Media Highlights 
MMTC's April and May Social Media

Learn more about MMTC's work by visiting our Wakelet Blog:
Invest in MMTC
Help Expand MMTC's Work in Tech, Media & Telecom!

MMTC Staff 2018
With our nonpartisan values of diversity and inclusion, MMTC continues to pursue our work with great determination notwithstanding our modest resources.  We  offer our sincere appreciation for support in helping us deliver our world-class advocacy, convenings, and policy leadership in industries regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
 
TO SUPPORT MMTC, YOU CAN DONATE IN TWO WAYS:
  • Fellowship: Help the next generation of media and telecom lawyers and policy professionals to advocate on behalf of our nation's multicultural, women, and underserved communities by investing in the new Henry M. Rivera Fellowship.  Other fellowships you are invited to support are the Cathy Hughes and Earle K. Moore fellowships. 
  • General: Make a donation to general support.
MMTC is recognized by the IRS under 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.

Your support makes it possible for MMTC to serve as an advocate for diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the nation's most important industries. 
Thank You! 
About MMTC
The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) is a non-partisan, national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving equal opportunity in the tech, media, and telecom industries, and closing the digital divide. MMTC is generally recognized as the nation's leading advocate for multicultural advancement in communications. We strongly believe that the breathtaking changes in communications technology and the new global forms of media partnerships must enhance diversity in the 21st century.

About MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers 
As the nation's only nonprofit media and telecom brokerage, we invest time and effort in training a new generation of media and telecom entrepreneurs. Our brokerage services have expanded to include consulting. So please think of us if you have a client or a friend looking to enter the broadcast business that needs a seasoned brokerage firm. We are dedicated to our cause of promoting diverse broadcast ownership in media, telecom, and tech.
 
Want to learn more about MMTC Media & Telecom Brokers? Contact Suzanne Gougherty at sgougherty@mmtconline.org or David Honig at dhonig@mmtconline.org.