Hollywood Comes to Houston: SOC Students Host Annual Red Carpet Media Mixer

By: Briannah Dilworth

On Friday, April 11, Texas Southern University’s School of Communication students rolled out the red carpet to conclude International Communication Week with the student-led Red Carpet Media Mixer. 

With over 200 attendees, the event aimed to connect students with professionals across media industries to help bridge the gap between classroom learning and career readiness and how to handle the challenges of everyday life.

Students participated in red-carpet interviews, networking sessions, and interactive experiences, leading to a panel discussion and Q&A featuring guest speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. 

I’ve been looking forward to this event during Comm Week because of the red carpet entrance and all of the different news and media vendors piqued my interest.

Jerry LeDoux Broadcast Journalism student

Throughout the mixer, students networked with media outlets and organizations at activation tables, including The Forward Times, The Defender, PVU-KNOW Radio, Hip Hop Streets, Real Toon TV, All Real Radio, The Eli Group, The TSU Herald, and TSU’s Career Pathways Center. 

Complementary hot and iced coffee alongside lemonade refreshers were provided to all attendees through a partnership with Starbucks, fostered by Koran Cooper, as students networked with activation tables and connected with media professionals.

The panel included several School of Communication alumni: Zoria Goodley( Fox 44 MMJ), Paige Hubbard (KPRC2 Producer), Dawn Brooks(CEO Genesis Gemini ENT)occupied by, Shontavia Young (CEO Truth Tuesday), Mike Prince (CEO Rap-A-Lot Records), Jeff Shelley (Comedian) and Marcus Sullivan(KTSU 90.9 FM Operations Manager). 

The panelists shared their predictions of the future of representation in the media and discussed how college students can contribute to this vision in the ever-changing media landscape.

Journalism has changed tremendously since I got in the business at 20

Paige Hubbard KPRC2 News Producer

The spread of news is at an all-time high, and many college students feel overwhelmed by keeping up with current trends and solidifying their stance in the media field. 

“There’s power in the pivot,” she said. 

This year’s theme, “ Narrate. Innovate. Elevate.” focused on the latest trends and advancements in the media, music, and film. As conversations deepened, panelists emphasized the importance of humility and purpose in today’s fast-paced media world.

“I was taught to serve, not to be served; we’ve gotten so far away from that; everyone is about self and wonder why they are not flourishing,” Mike Prince said.

The panel served as a reminder that true success in media and life comes from a mindset rooted in service and collaboration. 

You as an individual —you’re that individual, but we have a greater purpose, and once you discover what that purpose is, you’re supposed to share that with others.

Mike Prince CEO Rap-A-Lot-Records

“You as an individual—you’re that individual, but we have a greater purpose, and once you discover what that purpose is, you’re supposed to share that with others,” he said.

Student representatives and panel moderators Briannah Dilworth and Koran Cooper spearheaded the Media Mixer, uniting their peers and industry leaders in a space designed to empower the next generation of communicators.

Our goal was to create a space where students feel seen, heard, and inspired to own their voice in any room.

Koran Cooper Graduate Student Representative