The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation (PBMF) is gearing up for a new era with the announcement of its newly elected board of directors, following elections held on September 28, 2023.
Deborah Todd, an associate opinion editor at The Hill, a renowned newspaper and digital media company focusing on politics and international affairs, has been elected as PBMF’s President. Todd, a Pittsburgh native and award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Reuters, Forbes, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, expressed her commitment to PBMF’s mission of serving Black communities and journalists.
Anthony Todd Carlisle, a journalism and English professor at Pennsylvania Western University, takes on the role of parliamentarian. With an impressive 11-year career in journalism, including roles at the New Pittsburgh Courier and Pittsburgh Business Times, Carlisle brings a wealth of experience to the board.
Ervin Dyer, currently a senior editor with Pitt Magazine at the University of Pittsburgh, has been elected as treasurer. Dyer previously served as PBMF’s vice president and president and is known for establishing key programs within the organization. His work as a journalist, including reporting from Haiti with a Pulitzer Center grant, has earned him numerous accolades.
Donovan Harrell, a communications specialist at the University of Pittsburgh, is the secretary-elect. An accomplished multimedia journalist, Harrell has written for various digital publications and worked as a congressional reporter for McClatchy D.C. and the Tampa Bay Times.
Founded in 1973, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation is a nonprofit organization composed of journalists, public relations professionals, and journalism professors. The organization champions diversity in newsrooms, offers professional development opportunities, recognizes outstanding media coverage of minority communities, and trains aspiring young media professionals.
PBMF’s dedication to excellence was recognized when it was named the National Association of Black Journalists’ professional chapter of the year in 2017, sharing the honor in 2015.
The new board’s term will commence on October 13, 2023, and extend until December 31, 2025, setting the stage for continued growth and impact in the world of media diversity and excellence.
