The year 2025 centered on media literacy, advocacy and creativity for Nicki Mayo News LLC multimedia company.
Clients this year included TV One, The White Dress Project, George Washington University, Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness, Oikos Institute for Social Impact, The Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives and more.
While the EQUITY theme from 2020 – 2024 continued, the major themes of 2025 were MEDIA LITERACY and EDUCATION.
Nicki Mayo News 2025 By the Numbers
- 2 workshops
- 2 advocacy projects
- 4 school career day visits
- 6 multimedia projects
- 6 panels
- 14 news writing guest speakers
The year 2025 was marred by multiple personal, physical and business challenges, but Nicki persevered to the best of her ability. She embarked on a local beach tour to support her healing and wellness. This included exploring and enjoying several Maryland, Delaware and Virginia ocean and freshwater destinations. Check out Nicki’s Local Beach Tour and Reviews.
Nicki focused on new multimedia clients and expanded her graphic design services in 2025. She designed infographics, flyers, magazine pages, social media promotional materials, graduation cards and more for clients.
Her part-time lecturer position at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs continued as she taught “Introduction to News Writing and Reporting” courses.
Nicki devoted a lot of time participating on panels, podcasts and volunteering with schools in an effort to help teach media literacy and a better understanding of careers in journalism. Her work and service touched four colleges and multiple Maryland schools in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.
Here are a few 2025 #YearInReview highlights.
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION
Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DLX1D7rRQ0M
Nicki directed, produced and edited 18 “CRREST Challenge” video training modules featuring Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness Founder and Executive Director Dr. Tisa Silver Canady. The CRREST Challenge promotes financial literacy for teens and young adults navigating higher education. The 2025 project focused on Towson University.
Oikos Institute for Social Impact
Nicki was the publication and graphic designer for the Oikos Institute for Social Impact’s 2025 community impact report on Emory United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. The 24-page magazine layout featured photos, infographics and engaging designs.
Graduation Card Designer
Nicki designed graduation and college acceptance cards for a University of Michigan rising first-year engineering student.
The Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives Podcast Series
Nicki edited the “Echoes of Silence” podcast series for The Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives at the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism & Communication. “Echoes of Silence” is a six-part series examining the effects of news deserts on two predominantly Black communities—Park Heights in Baltimore, Maryland, and Brixton in London, England. The series explores how the absence of credible local news shapes these neighborhoods and highlights the ways residents are pushing back and reclaiming their narratives.
https://www.weaa.org/echoes-of-silence
Echoes of Silence – Episode 2: Word of Mouth
Echoes of Silence – Episode 3: Cost of Controlling the Narrative
Echoes of Silence – Episode 4: Art as Activism
Echoes of Silence Episode 5: Preakness, Politics and Potential
Echoes of Silence – Episode 6: From Silence to Signal
NYABJ First Take
Nicki designed promotional materials for the New York Association of Black Journalists’ First Take youth program. First Take provides free hands-on journalism training to teens in the New York metro area.
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
Nicki produced and edited multiple video, slideshow and social media projects in 2025 for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) and the Black Public Defenders Association. Here are a few social media campaign examples:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJjluhQMzpf
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ1yLCyq1LT
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKASixqNQP2
ADVOCACY
07/26/2025 The White Dress Project’s 2025 Blossom Awards
The White Dress Project hosted the Empowerment Experience and honored several fibroid advocates with their Blossom Awards. Nicki produced the following award vignettes.
NMN Social Media Summer Internship (Client: The White Dress Project)
NMN social media summer internship continued for a second year. The NMN intern produced social media videos and copy for NMN client The White Dress Project. TWDP testimonials amplified the voices of fibroid warriors and their journeys. The NMN intern researched, wrote copy, edited videos using Premiere Pro and designed thumbnail images using Canva for more than 20 social media posts over the course of a four week summer internship.
MEDIA LITERACY
NABJ Wellness Task Force Guest Speaker
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEh1SdTxWmR
Nicki was the January guest speaker for the NABJ Wellness Task Force. She shared her inspiring wellness journey and her advocacy efforts for Black women’s reproductive health, including her work with The White Dress Project.
TRILLVISION Film Festival! Panelist
https://www.instagram.com/p/DH14fz5R8AQ/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/DH_xxO9TjYf
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbEim_R3fE
Nicki participated in two TRILLVISION Film Festivals. The spring panel “Urban Films” focused on hood movies from the 1990s and 2000s. The summer panel “Hip Hop and Cinema” talked about the impact of the musical genre on the film industry. The Los Angeles based TRILLVISION Film Festival is an innovative, digital film festival designed to bring together short filmmakers, critics, and audiences from around the globe.
The People’s Show with Mark J. Wallace
Nicki joined “The People’s Show with Mark J. Wallace” to discuss Black Press Day, a celebration of the March 16, 1827 founding of the Freedom’s Journal, the first African American owned and operated newspaper in the United States. She focused on the importance of the Black Press, Black journalists and equity.
The People’s Show with Mark J. Wallace: How do we consume news and where are the Black voices?
The People’s Show with Mark J. Wallace: I’ve seen A LOT in this #JournoLife
Parlé Endeavors Inc. Youth emPOWERment Weekend
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIbp11qRzbr
Nicki presented a workshop and participated on a panel at the Parlé Endeavors Inc. Youth emPOWERment Weekend at Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City. Her “Level Up: Elevate Your Graphic Design Knowledge” workshop showed teens and young adults ways to use Canva and Google slides to enhance their academic work. The “Fact or Fiction: Navigating Misinformation” panel tackled media literacy for all ages.
Reading & Writing Matters Series
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMdGLFhOpeF
Nicki participated in the “Reading & Writing Matters” series at Coppin State University in Baltimore. The series is a specially curated series of panel discussions where professional writers of different genres present their work to Coppin State University incoming first-year students taking a summer ENGL 101 course. This program is supported in part by Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice, Inc. which cultivates a community of writers, educators and artists who utilize their craft to advance equity, peace and justice.
NABJ 2025 Convention
Nicki returned to the National Association of Black Journalists “Innovation Bubble” with a workshop and panel at the 2025 convention in Cleveland. Her “Yes, You Can Canva” workshop walked journalists through methods, tips and tricks to enhance online news coverage. Nicki also shared her mobile video production experiences and offered insight on the “Maximizing Your Videos for the Web” panel.
“Yes, You Can Canva” workshop
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNEe-sASi5j
“Maximizing Your Videos for the Web” panel
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNBy8JqypSE
EDUCATION
CAREER DAY: Sinclair Lane Elementary School (Baltimore City Public Schools)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGT79LLv-R3
PGCPS Teen Writers’ Conference
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGqQzLDxcM8
YouthWorks Academy (Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRLHxZRDSO
CAREER DAY: Liberty Elementary (Baltimore City Public Schools)
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJWtgNdRSp0
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs
Nicki’s part-time lecturer position at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs continued as she taught “Introduction to News Writing and Reporting” in the spring and fall semesters.
The following are several highlights from the guest speakers featured in Nicki’s 2005 news writing courses.
GWU SMPA Guest Amanda Barrett on AP Stylebooks and Word Choice
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Associated Press VP of Standards and Inclusion Amanda Barrett about the importance of stylebooks and word choice in journalism. She shares some of the major grammar, punctuation and spelling debates that go into updating the AP Stylebook.
GWU SMPA Guest Gigi Barnett on Three Tips for Covering Speeches
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with WTOP Anchor/Reporter Gigi Barnett about covering speeches. She shares the importance of identifying the main point, audience and call to action.
GWU SMPA Guest Molette Green on Covering Washington, D.C. Beyond Capitol Hill
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with NBC Washington Weekend Anchor and In the Community Reporter Molette Green about covering local news in and around the DMV. The native Washingtonian centers residents and neighborhoods in her people-driven stories.
GWU SMPA Guest Donnell Suggs on Localizing Campaign 2024 Coverage
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with The Atlanta Voice Editor-in-Chief Donnell Suggs about being on the 2024 presidential campaign trail and localizing stories for a battleground state audience.
GWU SMPA Guest Carolina Cruz on Covering Consumer Investigation Stories
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Telemundo 44 Responde Investigative Reporter Carolina Cruz about beat reporting. She shares how she covers consumer investigative stories using interviews, complaints, public records and more.
GWU SMPA Guest Aisha Al-Muslim on Multimedia Journalism and Versatility
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with The Wall Street Journal Audio Development Producer Aisha Al-Muslim about covering news across various mediums and methods. The former WSJ senior editor for newsroom internships, bankruptcy reporter and breaking news business reporter shares the importance of understanding the pros and cons of the various mediums.
GWU SMPA Guest Angela Greiling Keane on Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS)
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) President Angela Greiling Keane and the importance of professional memberships and mentorships. Greiling Keane is also news director for Bloomberg Government and has more than 15 years experience covering the nation’s highest elected office and transportation for wire-services, daily and weekly publications.
GWU SMPA Guest Tyler Englander on Building Trust with Contacts
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with WRIC-TV 8News Virginia Capitol Bureau Reporter Tyler Englander about building trust with story contacts. Englander covered the historic 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
GWU SMPA Guest Deanna Allbrittin on Covering Politics from College to Capitol Hill
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with WRIC-TV 8News about how she built her political journalism career starting in college and how former journalists often make the best political communications professionals. Allbrittin moderated the only televised debate in the historic 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race between Republican Winsome Earle-Sears and Democrat Abigail Spanberger.
GWU SMPA Guest Darreonna Davis on Learning Your Coverage Area
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Baltimore Banner Express Desk reporter about the importance of self-editing in breaking news situations. The Howard University alumna and New Orleans transplant also shares how she researched and reached out to community leaders and veteran journalists to learn more about Baltimore beyond the surface.
GWU SMPA Guest Micah Gelman on Independent Journalism
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Local News International a.k.a. LNI Media Co-founder Micah Gelman about making the leap into independent journalism. LNI Media is a creator-led journalism company that delivers news and information to audiences underserved by legacy and hyperpartisan media.
GWU SMPA Guest Lauren Saks on Media Literacy
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs Adjunct Professor Nicki Mayo talks with Local News International a.k.a. LNI Media Co-founder Lauren Saks about the importance of sourcing and media literacy. LNI Media is a creator-led journalism company that delivers news and information to audiences underserved by legacy and hyperpartisan media.
Additional class guest speakers include CNN Political Correspondent Eva McKend and Prince George’s County Public School System’s Associate Superintendent of Communications & Community Engagement Denise Douglas.
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