NBASLH Resound))) Summer 2023 Edition

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OCT 14 2023

The Cultural Humility/Responsiveness Task Force is launching The Cultural Humility Ambassador’s Program this Fall 2023, with the first annual “Cultural Humility Virtual Conference” on Saturday, October 14th. Please consult our website for more information!

APR 11-13

2024

NBASLH 46th Annual Convention Raleigh, NC

Note from the Editor

With this second issue of RESOUND))), for which I have the honor and privilege of serving as Editor, while basking in the reflected glory of my esteemed predecessor and magnanimous mentor, Jamila Harley, I wish to invite each NBASLH member to join in celebration of the record-breaking 45th Annual NBASLH Convention in Arlington, Virginia. Those among us who attended can reminisce about the momentous series of events that we enjoyed together at the 2023 Convention. Those of us who could not attend can explore the recollections shared in this issue of RESOUND))).

This was my inaugural attendance at an NBASLH Convention, during which I was blessed by epic in-person encounters with colleagues to whom I had never been introduced in person, or with whom I had not reunited since pre-pandemic times. The highlight was my profoundly moving face-to-face meeting of the minds, hearts, and souls with our valiant Copy Editor Linda Redmond Taylor, to whom full credit is owed for ensuring the success of this Summer RESOUND))) issue. Gracing this note is a pictorial souvenir from our in-person introduction. During my relocation from St.

Louis to Chicago in May, Linda graciously, generously, and super-heroically assumed responsibility for shepherding this issue through its final stages towards publication. I am forever in my noble colleague Linda’s debt.

And speaking of our RESOUND))) Committee…, we are growing! Please welcome Fontbonne University Assistant Professor, MaShyllia Minor, and Worcester State University graduate student, Christina Bartley, as the newest members of our RESOUND))) Committee, alongside our noble colleague Jonet Artis, as well as Linda and me. We are here to ensure that each and every NBASLH member, from students to life members, feels welcome to contribute to RESOUND))). Remember, RESOUND))) is *your* publication– See yourself in it by submitting your own original content! We eagerly await your submissions to our future issues; so, be alert for our announcements calling for them!

Finally, this Editor’s note cannot end without an overt expression of an infinite debt of gratitude to THEE ingenious web designer and developer Elvis Agard, whose elevation of our Spring 2023 RESOUND))) Publication to a glorious flipbook platform bedazzled

NBASLH’s members! We are certain that you will be equally impressed with Elvis’ masterful artistry in this Summer 2023 RESOUND))) issue.

Yours in 2023 NBASLH Convention and RESOUND))) celebration,

Dr. Whitney Anne Postman, Ph.D./CCC-SLP

Note of Sympathy & Tribute to Chair of the Board, Dr. Kia Noelle Johnson

ZIt is with sympathy that we have written these “notes” in the space that has been reserved for the Chair of the Board of NBASLH

For the past four years, that Chair was Dr. Kia Noelle Johnson. Currently, NBASLH is like a family of over 1000 people. Even with that many members, when one of us hurts, we all hurt. Our distinguished and cherished Chair, Dr. Johnson (known, simply, as Kia to many of our members), recently experienced the passing of her mother, Charlene Delain Wells. The “Homegoing Celebration of Life” was held on June 13, 2023 at the True Vine of Holiness MBC,400 East 111th Street, Chicago, IL.

We continue to send our heartfelt condolences as a body, and we encourage each member to continue their individual support through prayers and direct offers of

kindness to Kia. This is our time to be there for her family and her. To Kia, we say, “Be encouraged! God’s got you and your family! We support you!”

Then, secondly, the RESOUND))) staff wishes to pay special tribute to Kia for serving NBASLH so dutifully, excitedly, faithfully, and gallantly during the last four years. We say to Kia:

“Yes, in your final message to us after the 2023 Convention Gala you beat us to the punch in using this closing phrase: ‘Leaving NBASLH better than I found it’. Your pioneer-like vision has made it possible for NBALSH to be sustained for years to come by the new ideas you introduced to our organization. (You are ‘leaving NBASLH better than you found it’.) To name two:

1. The five initiatives you activated and solidified will make NBASLH a better organization, i.e., the way you helped to create NBASLH Funded Scholarships with its “Community of Black Excellence in Scholarship” was a phenomenal act.

2. The management company changeover to a new firm that better serves NBASLH’s vision, mission, and purpose was a priceless leadership feat. For these changes and many more, NBASLH thanks you. You actually did ‘leave NBASLH better than you found it’.

Godspeed on your journey.“

Appreciative Words from the Co-Chairpersons

by Joy Lennon, M.A., CCC-SLP (top) & Shauntelle Cannon-Williams, Au.D., CCC-A

Thank you, NBASLH Family, for making the 2023 Convention a monumental success! We are glad that you were “in that number” to celebrate NBASLH’s 45th anniversary! We especially hope that you were able to CRT–Connect with NBASLH’s roots and with one another; Re-energize fervor for your work; and Transform your mindset and how you show up for your patients, clients, and students!

We give much gratitude to our OUTSTANDING Convention Planning Team for all of the hard work, from the chairs and their subcommittee members: Derek Daniels, Proposals Chair, Nia Johnson, Volunteers Chair, Garvin Romane, CEU Administrator, David Frazier, Student Representative for Audiology, Kiera Simmons, Student Representative for Speech-Language Pathology, Teaunah Moulden, Photography Chair, Lauren Hastings, Exhibitors and Sponsors, and Lauren Prather, Public Relations. A special thank you is extended to a few of our faithful Convention planning team members who always showed up and stepped up: Yaminah Ali, Ephraim Hill, Jr., and Pamela Fowler-Greene! And we especially give a multitude of flowers and the sincerest gratitude to Cathy Runnels and Linda Redmond Taylor, the curators of the NBASLH History Timeline in the Convention program.

The 45th annual Convention was full of FIRSTS, including record numbers as follows:

531 Attendees, 35 Exhibitors, and 17 Sponsors. Further analyses showed the following number of attendees: 173 Students, 8 Life Members, and 246 Professionals, including

22 Audiologists, 429 SLPs, 19 SLPAs, 222 Clinicians, 103 Professors, and 300 first-time Attendees! Amazingly, there were over 180 proposal submissions received, which culminated into over 70 actual oral sessions and 50 poster presentations, all eligible for CEUs (with 17 being audiology-related presentations and posters, securing that “H” in NBASLH!).

Important notes:

1. Over $9,800 was awarded in student scholarships;

2. There was live ASL interpretation during our Opening Session and Awards Gala;

3. Real-time feedback was encouraged and available to be received from the attendees;

4. Three official photographers volunteered to capture and memorialize this historic occasion; and

5. There was recognition and celebration of our annual Convention with several social media posts in full operation by an internationally-known educator, activist, and entertainer, Sunn m’Cheaux

All in all, the historic success of the 2023 Convention was a team effort! Y’ALL gave this year’s Homecoming so much LIFE, and we are forever grateful for your presence, positive energy, and support! Thank you for coming home to NBASLH! Cheers to 45 years!

With gratitude,

Joy Lennon, M.A., CCC-SLP and Shauntelle Cannon-Williams, Au.D., CCC-A

2023 NBASLH Convention Co-Chairs

BIG-UPS to our Convention organizers, Joy and Shauntelle!

The Takeaways from Sunn m’Cheaux’s Two Messages

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

Part I

This was the title of this hour-long, Donn F. Bailey Lecture that left a lifetime mark on the audience. How can a writer share a “takeaway” in a few lines of such a memorable lecture by Sunn m’Cheaux, the speaker. Who? Sunn m’Cheaux (hereinafter, m’Cheaux). You know that man, the one who ends all of his Instagram posts with his personal

“But You Don’t Hear Me, Though: Code-Switching in Culturally Competent Curricula”

mantra, “#WEOUTCHEA”. Oh, that man?

Yes, the man who is known to be a true Gullah/Geechee “binyah”(native), and who has traveled the world, advocating for the freedom of people to just “be” who they are in the present, and for other people to accept those people in their present states of being. During this lecture, m’Cheaux pulled out his “lens” of sociolinguistics, and, seemingly, held it up to each participant’s eyes to help them see the importance of a “culturally competent curriculum” in today’s classroom. ‘m’Cheaux stressed how “normalizing ‘codeswitching’ in classrooms” is a step in the right direction, but that the ‘active destigmatization’ of Black English in education is also imperative.’

The participants saw how beneficial his concept has proven to be or could be from the real ‘case studies and personalized testimonials’ he shared. m’Cheaux suggested that Black SLPs and AuDs need to develop an acceptance

for their natural tongue that many try to suppress and hide, but they fail to quench that natural outpouring of their unique and culturally sound speech and language. What is needed? Well, “Students whose language has been subject to stigmatization benefit greatly from social and linguistics knowledge of how both, their language features and the stigmatization against them, came to be. NBASLH’s Convention participants left this session with a better understanding of Black language, and with a familiar but oft ignored rallying summons to begin listening to the Black language that’s all around them to realize that it is here to stay.

So, this writer’s summation is, thusly: Since “progress” is desired in all that SLP’s and AuD’s do, “progress” will show up, stand at attention, salute, and shout, “Forward march!”, if a therapist or teacher practices m’Cheaux’s concept of “active destigmatization”. Professor Donn F. Bailey would have been proud.

STATS

103 PROFESSORS

300 ST-TIME ATTENDEES

A Personal Recap of Sunn m’Cheaux’s Opening Session

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

Part Ii

If Sunn m’Cheaux’s first session, Part I, would be viewed as an item on a menu of sessions, it would have been a favorite entree: His second lecture session, a segment of the “Opening Session Pep Rally”, did as any delectable dessert menu item would have done; it filled us to the brim. m’Cheaux is a fine specimen of a Black man to look at,

and his inviting style and rallying words, mixed with that aspect of his being who he is, left us wanting to over-indulge in his wisdom and experience: He was GOOD!!

We were hungry for his words and his wisdom, and he fed us!! All in all, the NBASLH members left this session with

even more of a better understanding of Black language and what steps are needed to use this approach discussed earlier in the educational setting.

He culminated his presentation with this scenario: ‘A person who steps out thinking he/she is dressed nicely encounters a person who says to him: “You know what? One of these days, you really goan dress nice – you got the potential to wear somethin really nice.“ Now, m’Cheaux did not dwell on the one who had been slam-dunked; everybody empathized with that person. He dealt with the speaker: Almost in a chastising tone, he said, ‘Stop looking past who a person is and where a person is now! Speak life into him now! Stop telling him what he has the potential to be. Exhort the person to believe ‘he IS great’– right now! m’Cheaux advised the Conventiongoers to “just BE” –encouraging all to believe they ARE great, and to “manifest

their greatness NOW.

This writer believes that m’Cheaux probably says that in his sleep. His purpose seems to be to uplift and empower all folks, but, particularly, NBASLH members that night, to “just BE”. His message to all was to “ just BE”. Yes, that night, he so cared about us enough to end his rallying call with the embodiment of this, reportedly, Gullah proverb: “Muss tek kyeh de root fa heal de tree”, translated: “Must take care of the root to nourish the tree”. He ended the session by asking: “What happens if you embody that thing that you think is going to validate you, and you no longer have to reach outwardly, but inwardly? Just be who you are! Manifest it, and what’s for you will be drawn to you: And after m’Cheaux’s inquisitorial-like call of “Amen”? The people of NBASLH responded this back to him: “Amen!”

Transforming a Communication Sciences and Disorders Program through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Student Perspectives

by R. Danielle Scott, Ph.D, CCC-SLP, rdaniellescott@gmail.com

"To me, we are the most beautiful creatures in the whole world. Black people. And I mean that in every sense, outside and inside. And to me, we have a culture that is surpassed by no other civilization" —Nina Simone.

NBASLH member Dr. Dani Scott presented a poster with her Graduate Assistant/Diversity & Inclusion Fellow, Nicole Shelton, at the 2023 NBASLH Convention.

The intention of the poster was to provide student perspectives of a Racial Equity Action Assessment implemented to evaluate program-specific outcomes related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the CSD graduate program at Minnesota State University Mankato. This was Ms. Shelton’s first research poster presentation, along with Shelton, N., Bygd, G., Scott, R. D. and Mahowald, M. (2023, April).

(Author contact information: rdaniellescott@gmail.com)

Session – CLD09: ‘Bilingualism and Cultural/Linguistic Professionalism in NBASLH’

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

During NBASLH’s 45th Anniversary Convention, this presenter addressed a full house of attendees. However, Her sensitivematerial planned lecture session turned into a rap session, where the attendees lost all inhibitions and engaged in conversations that were uncomfortable, but necessary.

Many questioned the plight of

Blacks, where a lack of an Afrocentric understanding and acceptance of the origin and historical development of the language of Blacks (who are the descendants of enslaved West and Niger-Congo/Bantu Africans in diaspora in America) has, seemingly, resulted in the chaotic failure of Blacks to gain proficiency in the use, reading and writing of English in the classroom. However, many of the attendees appeared to

leave the session with a newfound pride/ respect for the “home language” of most American Blacks.

The session’s takeaways included:

1. Empirical evidence shows that English is a German-based language that uses, mainly, Latin and French words, . . .;

2. Empirical evidence shows, further, that most Blacks in America speak a primary language that is not Englishbased, but is African-based, created out of necessity by enslaved West, Niger/Congo and Bantu Africans: They, ingeniously, put the English language’s words/lexicon that they heard “on top of” their African grammar through relexification, . . .;

3. Ebonics was never intended to be propagated as a mere synonym for Black English or African American English, but an antonym; and

4. Black SLPs who speak this Africanbased tongue as a primary language are bilingual, having learned English

as a second language; once they, as the professionals they are, recognize/ accept their own cultural/linguistic heritage, they will, in turn, be more willing and able to advocate for the equal service/educational rights of Blacks, as, even the Founding Fathers and Visionaries of NBASLH at its inception sought.

Note: Ebonics (two words combined to make one, Ebony [Black] + phonics [sounds]} is the term that many people call the language of Blacks, thanks to the one who coined the term in 1973, Dr. Robert L. Williams, psychologist. This session was dedicated to his memory. There is, presently, a recognized need to name the language a more acceptable term, one that, still, however, rejects the premise that the English language is its foundation, ‘cause aine no rule-governed way that Ebonics is English’: No time! No place! Nowhere! No WAY!! However, "It's time to make a change, and NBASLH is the organization that [should] do it!"

The Legacy Project: Passing of the Torch – with a Commentary by Dr. Ronald Jones

During the 45th Anniversary Welcome Home NBASLH Convention 2023, the tradition of “Passing the Torch” was, as always, a highlight of the Opening Ceremony. This year, this Legacy Project of passing the torch holds a significant changing of the guard in respect to the Board of Directors: The most important torch that will be passed after the Convention will be the one that Torch Bearer, Chair of the Board, Kia Johnson will pass to the new Chair of the Board, Brittani Hightower, whose term will begin in September. (They are featured on our RESOUND)))

cover.) The RESOUND))) staff thanks Kia for her service, and wishes her well on her journey. The staff further welcomes Brittani to her new position of leadership, and looks forward to working closely with her to continue being an important entity that enlightens the entire NBASLH family about member business and member news.

By way of a remote, pre-taped presentation, Dr. Ronald Jones, a “seasoned, life member of NBASLH”, shared a brief history of this Convention ritual of the last 16 years: The following is

the transcription of his oration: Transcript: The Legacy Project

I’ve been asked to give a brief description of the “Legacy Project”.

In 2008, at its 30th Anniversary of the Convention, NBASLH convened a panel of the Association’s Founders, and asked them to describe the origins of the Association, and to discuss their concerns about the future of NBASLH.

Many of the Founders were troubled by the fact that, after 30 years, NBASLH was still unknown to far too many African American students enrolled in speech and hearing training programs across the country, particularly those programs at predominantly white universities.

Dr. Ron Jones PhD, CCC-AUD

Those students didn’t know, and wouldn’t know, that NBASLH was founded at a time when the communication needs of Black Americans were being widely ignored by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Those students didn’t know, and wouldn’t know, that, historically, the academic research and clinical interests of Black speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists have been systematically dismissed in deference to the interests of

white clinicians and white researchers.

African-American students enrolled in predominantly white training programs were not being informed that they could get mentoring and the academic support they might need by participating in an Association that was founded for them, and run by individuals who had their best interests at heart.

Each of the founders at the 30th Anniversary Convention agreed that, in order for the Association to grow, more was needed to be done to ensure that new members would be imbued with the founding Spirit of the Association, that they learn its history, and that they be supported, professionally, throughout their training and careers.

The panel session ended with each faculty member writing a short message to be given to a new member attending the Convention for the first time. The messages were to encourage each new member to do [his/her] best and to find a mentor within the Association. They would then record the progress they made and return the following year to relay their message to yet another new member. It was with that intent that the “Legacy Project” was started.

Since 2008, 28 student members have

been selected to relay the Founders’ messages. They have added their own insights and experiences, and passed the messages on to new members at the next year’s NBASLH Convention. When selected, Legacy recipients are expected to learn the history of the Association and to comply with and promote the highest standards of the Association. It is, indeed, an honor to be selected as a Legacy recipient.

Above was a pictorial representation of the segment of the 45th Convention’s Opening Session called “Passing the Torch”.

DO YOUR THING in 2024, Convention organizers Lauren Hastings and Chrystal Ingram Williams (not pictured here)!

About the Convention’s Life Member Attendees

The Unbroken Circle of Life Members

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

During NBASLH’s 45th Anniversary Convention, all of 430-odd registrants gathered to “connect, re-energize, and transform” – together, under one roof!

There was a lot of fervor as they all met: the young student fledglings met up with everyone, including the seasoned retirees: the speech-language pathologists met up with the audiologists; the southerners-northerners met up with the easternerswesterners; the medical-based experts met up with their education field colleagues: Just like the first Convention, when the pre-registration was only $10.00 (although inflation has forced cost increases), the reason for communing together continues to be the same: to “Step to the Music that We Hear”, enjoying the experience of being together and learning how to continue being the great clinicians and educators for which NBASLH is known: The latter was highly accomplished by each attendee who could choose to obtain CEU’s from the, reported, “70 oral sessions and 50 poster presentations” that were offered during the Convention.

This year, twelve extraordinary members were among the participants: namely, Karen Bevery-Ducker, Arnell Brady, Sheila Bridges-Bond, Patricia Cole, Elise Davis-McFarland, Soloris Greene, Ann Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, Joe Melcher, Cathy Runnels, Diatra Stearn, Linda Redmond Taylor and Gwendolyn Wilson. Who are they? These are they who have made NBASLH their choice with which to connect for a LIFETIME: They are the life members who count it all joy and a privilege to honor and cherish their memberships in NBASLH. (Note: Cathy Runnels has faithfully attended 45 out of 45 conventions: Congratulations, Cathy!)

RESOUND))) salutes all of the life members who attended. Please, all others who are qualified to be life members, or who wish to learn how to become life members, feel free to contact the Life Member Coordinator, Linda Redmond Taylor at lindaredtaylor@ aol.com, or the National Office at NBASLH@NBASLH.org. NBASLH needs you to join this unbroken circle of members!

SHEILA BRIDGES BOND PH.D., CCC-SLP

JOE A. MELCHER PH.D., CCC-A, ASHA FELLOW, FAAA

PATRICIA COLE PH.D., CCC-SLP-L

LINDA REDMOND TAYLOR M.A., CCC-SLP-L

DIATRA W. STEARN B.A.

CATHY RUNNELS M.S., CCC-SLP

KAREN BEVERLY-DUCKER M.A., CCC-A, CAE

GWENDOLYN WILSON PH.D.

BERNADETTE MAYFIELD-CLARKE PH.D., CCC-SLP, FASHA

ELISE DAVIS-MCFARLAND PH.D., CCC-SLP

ARNELL BRADY M.A., CCC-SLP-L

SOLORIS GREENE M.A., CCC-SLP-L

The Vision Has been Realized: Words of Encouragement from Dr. Orlando Taylor, a 1968 Visionary

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

Iam honored to present this message to our members, transcribed from a phone text from Dr. Orlando Taylor, ‘of the five Visionaries who conceptualized an organization as NBASLH that would provide a new arena for the development and sustaining of Blacks in the field in perpetuity’. This message was read by Dr. Kia Johnson, out-going Chair, during the closing session of the 45th NBASLH Convention. Dr. Taylor wrote:

Congratulations, NBASLH, for your continued growth and organizational successes on the road to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels within the professions of communication sciences and disorders. NBASLH has advanced light years beyond its beginnings in the 1970’s. I know. I was there at the very first organizational meeting at Howard University, and also at the first national meeting convened by the organization.

I can clearly remember when we thought that we had achieved remarkable success when we could count 50 people on our membership roll, and certainly that number for a national meeting. As you look forward to the days ahead, it is imperative for you to be mindful of the fact that, despite the great progress of advancing people of color in the professions, underrepresentation continues, and under-service continues for many communities of color throughout the nation that need your services.

I urge you to recommit to changing those realities, and continue to do the scholarly work required to provide the theoretical underpinnings for the provision of culturally valid services to our diverse clients and communities. Best wishes for continued success in our annual meeting.

NOTE: Dr. Taylor is still on the battlefield, indicated by his continued scholastic excellence in editing, along with Drs. Nicole Retland and Katherine McGraw, the book, Higher Education in a Changing World, published by Fielding University Press (2023 ). The book “aims to provide knowledge and insight for those seeking to understand and adapt to the rapid pace of change in the twenty-first-century higher education space.” The book can be ordered through Amazon.com.

Special Awards and Scholarship Presentations

A Pictorial Presentation

Who does not like to hear, “I appreciate all that you do for me: Thank you”?

NBASLH’s Awards and Scholarships Committee, led by Chair Joy Lennon, while collaborating with the Board of Directors, was meticulous in its choices for this year’s special awards and scholarship recipients. The members always look forward to applauding the various categorical designees: From the prestigious M. Eugene Wiggins Leadership Award, to the William T. Simpkins Service Award, from the Scholar-Mentor Award, to the Clinicians of the Year Awards, the deserving NBASLH members who were chosen are featured below, along with numerous others who were recognized during the Convention Gala Banquet.

NOTE: RESOUND))) also thanks the Community of Black Excellence in Scholarship donors for “financially investing in students, especially Black students, in audiology and speech-language pathology”.

business matters for us, too!

by Tracy Camille Johnson, M.S., CCC-SLP,

info@buttercuptherapy.org

Buttercup Therapy Services, PLLC, is proud to announce our one year anniversary, May 24th! Established 2022, it has been a humbling experience to learn and grow in such a culture and time as an entrepreneur. It was NBASLH, as an organization, and NBASLH members who empowered me in the risk and leap of faith in myself to become a solo practitioner and form a PLLC in Texas. I am truly appreciative of the representation, coaching, and support from this Community which allows me to thrive. I feel continuously motivated and encouraged to succeed, even through hardships.

While we celebrate BTS’s public birthday, May 24, 2022, we also honor the tragic day when 19 students and two teachers lost their lives during the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. While practicing in a school 175 miles away, we remember and continue to support those in the community who were affected. Our hope is that all people, regardless of trauma, ability, or any marginalized factor, receive the support and access to care that will allow them to share (or continue to share) their voices with the world. We can’t wait to hear what they have to say!

“What’s up Buttercup!? It’s our 1st Birthday!”

Reaching Students Who Are Often Overlooked

by Amy S. Nordness, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, asnordness@unmc.edu

In an effort to promote the field of speechlanguage pathology and audiology to those students who have often been overlooked and failed to have knowledge of what a speech-language pathologist (SLP) does, the SLP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, presented an overview of the professions to diverse high school students at Blackburn Alternative High School in Omaha Public Schools (OPS).

Members of the team provided an educational presentation, and engaged the students in hands-on learning activities, including “decoding” familiar words in phonetics, preparing and tasting thickened liquids, and programming and communicating with the TD Snap software on augmentative and alternative communication devices. They partnered with the school’s SLP and the career exploration team to reach a group of students actively exploring careers after high school. One goal was met: to promote these professions in both an educational and medical setting. To ensure they were crafting an ideal message and actively reaching the students, the Committee invited their DEI mentor, Dr. Kia Johnson, to join them in observing and providing feedback to help craft their presentation even further.

The students were actively engaged, participated in all the activities, asked thoughtful questions, and even inquired about how to obtain speech devices to help members of their families. The MMI SLP DEI Committee is taking feedback from the presentation back to their team to revise the content, and prepare to roll out a year-long promotion about a career in speech-language pathology and audiology to high school students at the most diverse high schools in OPS. Photo:

Left to right: Dr. Kia Johnson, Dr. Amy Nordness, Sidni Trotter, Brittany Steinfeld, and Blackburn SLP, Savanna Hobza.

NEW! NBASLH Medical SLP Committee

by Amy S. Nordness, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, asnordness@unmc.edu

Are you a medical speech language pathologist? Are you interested in becoming a medical speech pathologist? We want you to join NBASLH’s new Medical SLP Committee! NBASLH recognizes the disparities and systemic barriers for the advancement of Black SLPs in the medical setting, and the need for broader medical SLP content within the Organization.

The Medical SLP Committee, led by Marilouise E. Nichols, M.S., CCC-SLP, DCS-S, CBIS,, provides mentorship, advocacy, networking, and continuing education for professionals in all settings of medical-based speech language pathology, as well as students and/ or professionals interested in expanding their knowledge of medical speech language pathology topics. This committee seeks to increase access to evidence-based practice information and high-quality resources among professionals, students, and members of the community. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Medical SLP Committee, visit https://NBASLH.memberclicks.net/medslp to receive further information about upcoming meetings, events, and committee news.

NBASLH Cares Day, 2023

by Brittani Hightower, M.A., CCC-SLP, britthightower@gmail.com

NBASLH Cares was excited to celebrate NBASLH’s 45th Convention by visiting with the students and faculty at Montgomery Blair High School on NBASLH Cares Day. There, we raised awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology, and what steps need to be taken in order to become part of these two fields. We ended the week by visiting AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School where our NBASLH members, collectively, donated 102 school supplies.

We want to thank each and every donor for their generous contributions in supporting this year’s NBASLH Cares outreach initiative. We also want to congratulate our top donors, Jerrold Jackson and Pamela Rowe! They will receive designated seating at the 2024 Awards Gala. We would like to thank the NBASLH Cares Committee members for volunteering their time, efforts, and connections. Because of them we were able to transform our ideas into actions.

Congratulations are also due to our Committee co-chair, Nastassia Horn, as she will be stepping into the role of NBASLH Cares chair this September. This message is to our NBASLH members at-large: If supporting Black communities through outreach, and recruiting future Black speech language pathologists and audiologists are efforts you are passionate about, consider joining the NBASLH Cares Committee. We look forward to serving with you!

With Love, Brittani Hightower & Nastassia Horn, NBASLH Cares Committee Co-Chairs

Welcome To Our RESOUND))) Committee!

by Whitney Postman, Ph.D./CCC-SLP, WPOSTMAN@depaul.edu

As mentioned above in the Editor’s Note, our RESOUND))) committee is growing! We are overjoyed to welcome Christina Bartley and MaShyllia Minor as our newest members.

Christina Bartley is a graduate student in speech-language pathology at Worcester State University. She was a recipient of the 2023 Student Conference Scholarship to attend the NBASLH Convention in Arlington, Virginia! As a proud mother of two, Christina is always aiming towards setting the bar for her children to show them that anything is possible with faith and dedication. Graduating in May 2024, Christina anticipates working with the adult population. In her “free” time, she enjoys singing and writing.

MaShyllia Gunn Minor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and Deaf Education at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri where her research highlights the significance of equitable frameworks and instructional practices for students from communities that have been marginalized and students with unique learning needs. She is a champion for lessening special education disproportionality rates among Black students, and infuses the necessity of cultural humility into her undergraduate and graduate coursework.

MaShyllia specializes in K-12 interprofessional diagnostics, and seeks to support families who might not otherwise have access to speech and language services. MaShyllia stated this: “Joining the RESOUND))) Committee affords me an opportunity to humbly aid in archiving the scholarly work and achievements of the body of remarkable NBASLH members in the official voice of the organization- our beloved RESOUND))).”

AFFILIATE News

AR-NBASLH, Empowering Arkansas!

by Jessica Lynn Danley, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, info@AR–NBASLH.org

As a newly formed chapter, the Arkansas Affiliate of the National Black Association for Speech- Language and Hearing (ARNBASLH) has hit the ground running with a variety of networking, educational and donationbased activities since the group’s inauguration.

Founded in February 2022, AR-NBASLH has remained focused on a mission to:

1. promote and support the quality of service delivery to Back individuals with communication disorders;

2. provide financial support for the training of Black students pursuing speech-language and hearing professions in Arkansas; and

3. support Black speech-language and hearing professionals in the state.

The Association is actively working to fulfill its mission through a range of initiatives, past and future, such as:

• Summer 2022: AR-NBASLH collaborated with the University of Central Arkansas Communication Sciences and Disorders program to hold its first inperson orientation and recruitment networking event. Attendees participated in focus groups to provide the Association with feedback on goals, collaborative opportunities and events.

• Fall 2022: Board members of the AR-NBASLH presented “Expanding Racial Diversity in Communication Sciences and Disorders” at the 2022 Arkansas SpeechLanguage and Hearing Association annual convention. Presenters included ARNBASLH President, Angela Anderson, AR-NBASLH Vice President, Dr. Portia Carr and AR-NBASLH Mentor, Dr. Andi Toliver-Smith. The presentation included strategies to recruit and retain students/professionals from racially diverse

backgrounds in Communication Sciences and Disorders, **with an emphasis on progression from cultural competence to cultural humility and cultural responsiveness.

• Winter 2022: AR-NBASLH student members collaborated with the Communication Sciences and Disorders program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to collect donations of school supplies for middle school students in urban districts.

• Winter 2022: AR-NBASLH Mentor, Dr. Andi Toliver Smith, was accompanied by two second-year graduate students (AR-NBASLH Student Community Outreach Coordinator JaVonnica Smith of University of Arkansas Medical Sciences and Destiny Harris of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) to speak to a business education class at Little Rock Central High School. Afterwards, several students wrote essays to share that they’d never heard of speech-language pathology, and are now interested in the profession.

• Spring 2023: AR-NBASLH is sponsoring its first student award, The Fresh Start Award. The Fresh Start Award recognizes a graduate student member of ARNBASLH. The award supplies financial support towards clinically relevant materials or licensing fees.

• Spring 2023 and ongoing: Dr. Andi Toliver-Smith leads/will lead a monthly BIPOC check-in meeting at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The meetings are/will be a safe place for BIPOC students to talk about graduate school experiences, racism within the culture, the needs of BIPOC students in CSD, current trends and topics in CSD, and UAMS audiology and speech-language pathology support for BIPOC students. AR-NBASLH will continue to advocate for the needs of the Black community of Arkansas by organizing events and initiatives that promote culturally responsive practices and raise awareness of the complex needs and challenges for Black individuals with communication disorders. Looking ahead, ARNBASLH has more exciting plans for the future, including expanding its outreach efforts and providing resources and support to Black speech, language and hearing professionals in Arkansas. We invite you to follow AR-NBASLH on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

Memphis Area Affiliate Chapter (the MAAC) and Members Receive Awards during the 45th Convention

by Daphne McDonald, M.S., CCC-SLP, dmcdonald@speakinglifehealthcare.com

In Memphis, TN, the MAAC continues to be a light in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology, as it exemplifies service and advocacy for all people, in general, but Blacks, specifically. During NBASLH’s 45th Annual Convention, the MAAC garnered support to receive two awards for its diligence, advocacy and service during 2022: The Affiliate Advocate of the Year Award, and the Affiliate of the Year Award. Also, one of its members, Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, was awarded the Professional Advocate of the Year, and another member, Autumn Barron, Ph.D. Aud., was awarded the Student Advocate of the Year. So, this is the MAAC’s message to all other NBASLH Affiliates: “Consider yourselves warned: We plan to be selected for those same awards next year. The question is, will you let us?”

MeMBER News

S. C. State University Professor, Dr. Tanya T. Wilson, Appointed to Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)

by Tanya Wilson, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, wilsontanyat@gmail.com

Dr. Tanya Wilson, a graduate of South Carolina State University and Nova Southeastern University, has been appointed to serve as a site visitor for the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA) in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology which accredits eligible speech-language pathology master’s degree programs. She is one of six site visitors from South Carolina, only the fourth speech department member to serve, and only the second to serve on both the CAA and S.C. Board of Examiners.

Link: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/SC-State-speech-pathologyand-audiology-faculty-member-to-serve-as-accreditation-site-visitor. html?soid=1120691165267&aid=q0QSXgmMJTo

Dr. Dani Scott Awarded Presidential Coin at Minnesota State University Mankato

R. Danielle Scott, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, rdaniellescott@gmail.com

NBASLH member, Dr. Dani Scott, was awarded a Presidential Mav Coin by the President of Minnesota State University Mankato, Dr. Edward Inch. Dr. Scott was nominated by the Provost, Dr. David Hood, and Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Dr. Henry Morris. The coin represents the current presidential challenge recognizing students, faculty and staff for exemplary displays of Inclusion, Cooperative, Innovation and Maverick Spirit. Dr. Scott is an Assistant Professor at Minnesota State University Mankato in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, leading the efforts in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In her role, she mentors the Diversity & Inclusion Fellows, programming created to recruit and retain SLP graduate students from historically marginalized racial/ethnic backgrounds. She teaches courses such as Culturally Responsive Practices, DEI Seminar, and Cultural Humility.

Documentary produced and directed by Minga and Pearce, Plus a Whole Lot More. . .

by Jamilla Minga, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, jamila.minga@duke.edu

Dr. Jamila Minga, Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Medicine and Michael Pearce, Assistant Professor at North Carolina Central University, produced and directed a documentary entitled, “RHD Hidden Diagnosis.” The documentary explores the impact of right-hemisphere brain damage (RHD) on stroke survivors by chronicling their struggles and achievements, and by following a group of graduate speech-language pathologists at North Carolina Central University as they navigate the COVID pandemic, and lead online RHD stroke survivor communication treatment groups. The documentary was featured as part of the Long Leaf Film Festival in North Carolina https:// calendar.duke.edu/show?fq=id%3ACAL-8a0182b3-870a191e-0187-9534e540000061dbdemobedework%40mysite.edu. In addition, Dr. Minga was awarded a K23 NIH-NIDCD (1K23-DC020236-01A1) grant, “Neuroanatomic Correlates of Language Production after Right Hemisphere Stroke’’, that expands her behavioral based discourse production work to include voxel-lesion symptom mapping. Finally, Dr. Minga led a study examining the Intersectionality of race on question-asking, which is the first study in the RHD literature to specifically examine race in a group of women stroke survivors.

A copy of the article is linked below:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36626232/

Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S)

by Marilouise E. Nichols, M.S., CCC-SLP, DCS-S, CBIS, me.nichols@outlook.com

Marilouise E. Nichols, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CBIS, recently earned Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) from the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (ABSSD). Achieving BCS-S distinction is a rigorous process, and is one of the highest recognitions in the field for those who demonstrate advanced leadership, research, scholarship, mentorship, and clinical skills in dysphagia practice. Marilouise is a medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) and senior clinician with extensive experience in acute care and long-term acute care. Marilouise is passionate about advancing growth opportunities for Black SLPs in the medical setting, and recently contributed to a ABSSD continuing education course, “How they do it: Experiences of dysphagia clinicians and researchers in leadership roles”, where she provided tips on how early-career professionals can navigate a leadership trajectory in dysphagia practice.

Link for CEU course is as following:

https://www.swallowingdisorders.org/page/ HowtheydoitExperiencesofdysphagiaclinicians

Link for more information on BCS-S:

https://www.swallowingdisorders.org/

STATS 8 LIFE MEMBERS

246 PROFESSIONALS

Darius Thomas Named to NSBA Leadership Council!

by Darius Thomas, M.S., CCC-SLP, darius@welovedynamictherapy.com

Breaking News: Darius Thomas (Chief Executive Officer, Dynamic Therapy) was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis. Darius is a recognized leader in the small business community, and joins the NSBA Leadership Council, alongside other small-business advocates from across the country, as they work to promote the interests of small businesses to policy-makers in Washington, D.C. Darius joined the NSBA Leadership Council as part of his efforts to tackle the many critical issues facing small businesses, including tax reform, regulatory restraint, health care costs, and how access to capital will impact small businesses. The NSBA Leadership Council is focused on providing valuable networking between small business advocates from across the country, while ensuring small businesses have a seat at the table, as Congress and regulators take up key small business proposals.

“I am proud to have Mr. Thomas as part of our Leadership Council,” stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “He came to us highly recommended, and I look forward to our coordinated efforts for years to come.”

For more on the NSBA Leadership Council, please visit www.nsba.biz

Dr. Kyomi Gregory-Martin, Board member, Jets to Fulfill Numerous Speaking Engagements in

March 2023

by Kyomi Gregory-Martin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, kgregory@pace.edu

March 2023 was a busy month for Dr. Kyomi Gregory-Martin, a NBASLH Board member. Her speaking itinerary began on March 9 when she spoke for the NewPaltz Women’s Leadership Summit. See the link at https://www.newpaltz.edu/summit/2023-speakers/kyomigregory-martin-05-/ She spoke on March 23, 2023, online, to the NBASLH affiliate and the student group, Bilingual Language and Literacy Investigative and Networking Group (BLLiNGG) at NYU on “Empowering Clinicians: Supporting Clients Who Speak African American English”. She also presented at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst on March 31st, 2023, on the topic “Let’s Talk About Microaggressions in Clinical and Educational Encounters”. In addition, she presented at the 2023 Professional Development Conference. Other March news included that Dr. Gregory-Martin became a professional member of the National Academies of Practice. In May, she was the international keynote speaker for Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) 2023. This is the national conference for Australia. Her address was entitled “Utilizing a Cultural Humility Lens: Reflect, Respect, and Respond.”

See the link: https://www.conference.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/speechpathology-australia-2023-national-conference/speakers

Like Mother, Like Daughter: Moving and Shaking in the Down Syndrome World

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

On May 18, 2023, NaTasha Davis, M.A., CCC-SLP, was a featured mother on “Courageous Conversations for Action”, a podcast by Shunqetta Cunningham that features mothers of children born with special needs who discuss their birth stories, their experiences ‘maneuvering through the biases of medical/healthcare . . ., and their journeys as advocates’.) NaTasha shared her personal journey as the mother of Phoenix R. Davis, who, at 19 months, has the diagnosis of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), but there is nothing “down” about Phoenix who marches to an upbeat tempo, ‘rocking her extra chromosome with style, grace, and sass’ as an up-and-coming model for online clothing and shoe boutiques; she has been featured on billboards in Time Square (NYC) and, locally, in Memphis, TN. NaTasha is on the move as the Parliamentarian for the Memphis Area Affiliate Chapter (The MAAC), and she serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis and the Mid-South, while being employed as a SLP at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

Spreading the Good News about Appropriate Language and Behavior

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

The Memphis Area Affiliate Chapter (The MAAC) of NBASLH boasts that one other member has been busy serving her community. On May 1, 2023, Membership Chairperson of the Memphis Area Affiliate Chapter (The MAAC) of NBASLH, Daphne McDonald, M.A., CCC-SLP, and the Director of Therapy Service with Speaking Life Healthcare, Memphis, TN, conducted a self-advocacy class at the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis & the Mid-South. She led the members in learning all about “appropriate language and behavior while at work, in the public and in the dating world”. Thank you for your service, Daphne!!

Arnell Brady Featured in University of Chicago

Student Documentary Film “The Heart of Hyde Park: Stories of Small Business”

by Arnell A. Brady, M.A., CCC-SLP/L, aaarnell@aol.com

The University of Chicago student documentary film, “The Heart of Hyde Park: Stories of Small Businesses” featuring an interview with Arnell Brady of Brady Speech-Language Pathology, premiered on May 8th at Doc Films. It explores the relationships and conflicts between small businesses, neighbors and the University of Chicago in Hyde Park.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/05/04/student-documentaryexplores-relationships-conflicts-between-small-businesses-neighborsand-uchicago-in-hyde-park/?fbclid=IwAR1XR0ddfuJXAXaii_ pGIKT9h8CrSpbHzAhrF75n4SOkT0SeHedt7hhPBwM

GRATITUDE

A Personalized Note of Gratitude to Karen Miles and Capitol Hill Management Services (CHMS)

NOTE: This short article is written in the first person, purposely personalized for the NBASLH members:

We, the entire body of NBASLH, wish to thank Karen Miles, our Chief Operations Director, and the staff of CHMS, our overall management partner, for being a great guiding force in NBASLH’s success, and, especially, in the success of our 2023 Convention. Currently, each day, we are worry-free because we know “Ms. Karen’s” expertise will continue to boost our Association upward. Before, during, and after the 2023 NBASLH 45th Anniversary “Welcome Home’’ Convention, we realized the depth of CHMS’s expertise: The affair was orchestrated like clockwork: To Ms. Karen and CHMS we say, “Thank you for your service! Without your leadership in “strategic planning, budget development, conference and program planning, and marketing and membership retention goals”, we would fail. We look forward to even more success in Raleigh, NC in 2024, where we know we are in for a winning Conference again because we will be on your home court!”

Tribute to Mr. M. Eugene Wiggins: He Helped Make

NBASLH What It Is 45 Years Later

by Linda Redmond Taylor, M.A., CCC-SLP-L, lindaredtaylor@aol.com

The RESOUND))) staff will end this issue of the Summer Publication with the following information extracted from History of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH): The First Twenty Years 1978 - 1998 (by M. Eugene Wiggins, 2014) in honor of the author himself, Mr. M. Eugene Wiggins, a Founding member of NBASLH without whom this Association would not be the stellar organization that it is today. On pages 51-52, Mr. Wiggins ‘paid tribute to the distinguished pioneers in the professions, including, namely, Dr. Madge Hibler Allen, Dr. Robert Martin Screen, Dr. Oscar Mitchell, Jr., Mr. Samuel P. Geralds, and Dr. Harold Powell’. Mr. Wiggins, further, ‘introduced and saluted NBASLH’s visionaries: Drs. Ronald Williams, Vernon Stroud, Ernest Moore, Charles Hurst and Dr. Orlando Taylor’.

It is only befitting that RESOUND))) allows what Mr. Wiggins wrote as a closing paragraph on page 52 to others to be used as a mirror, reflecting back to who he, too, is to NBASLH. He wrote:

These visionaries, along with the pioneers, were the courageous professionals who opened the doors for the many African Americans that followed them. NBASLH would not be the viable organization that it is were it not for the leadership of these exceptional, daring professionals. It is on their shoulders that most NBASLH members stand, and for that reason, we are forever indebted to them for their untiring commitment to the cause of advancing the presence of African Americans in the speech and language pathology and [a]udiology professions.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Wiggins. We “humbly pay our respect and gratitude” to the above-mentioned men and woman, and to you for your wisdom, foresight, strength, patience, creativity and leadership that helped to make NBASLH, under God, the powerful Association that it is today - in 2023 - 45 years later. Amen? Amen!!

SHOUT OUT to our Public Relations Chair Lauren Prather and our Treasurer Darius Thomas!

THE “MOVERS AND SHAKERS” OF THE NBASLH 2023 CONVENTION

These are the people who worked behind the scenes and in front of the scenes, using their influence, wisdom, and energetic powers to bring to life the historically unique and successful production of the NBASLH 2023 Convention. They were overcomers against all barriers or roadblocks. . . Remember their names, because they are not going anywhere (far away), and NBASLH’s members are glad about that!

The NBASLH Board of Directors

Kia Johnson Chairperson

Karen Miles and the Capitol Hill Management Services (CHMS) Staff

Joy Lennon & Shauntelle Cannon-Williams Chairperson & Co-chairperson, respectively

Shauntelle Cannon-Williams Co-chairperson

Nia Johnson Volunteers Chair

David Frazier Student Representative Audiology

Kierra Simmons Student Representative Speech-Language Pathology

Teaunah Moulden

Photography Chair

Lauren Hastings

Exhibitors and Sponsorships

Lauren Prather Public Relations

Yaminah Ali, Ephraim Hill, Jr. & Pamela Fowler-Greene

Planning Team Members

Cathy Runnels and Linda Redmond Taylor

Curators of the NBASLH Historical Timeline in the Program

Iris Johnson-Arnold

Gala Banquet MC

Derek Daniels Proposals Chair

NewlyMarketingInitiated Channel

Advertise through

HOT OFF THE RESOUND))) PRESS!!!

NBASLH’s RESOUND))) publication is offering a new marketing channel to assist businesses and corporations in their marketing endeavors. Our engaged RESOUND))) readership of over 1,000 NBASLH members will be reached with these freshly launched advertising opportunities. Information about our deadlines, rates, and guidelines can be accessed here.

News from RESOUND)))

Would you like to contribute to RESOUND)))?

We are actively and eagerly seeking your content contributions and member news! What’s going on with your affiliate, your organization, or your profession? NBASLH would love to know! Or perhaps you have an idea for an article that you would like to write? NBASLH would love to read your work! To submit your article, please click the “Submit Article” below.

To contact the editor, please email the NBASLH Editors at: RESOUND@NBASLH.org 

The next issue of RESOUND))): Fall/Winter 2023

Is scheduled for: December 2023

Submission Deadline:

11:59 PM EST, October 30, 2023

RESOUND))) Committee Members

EDITOR

Whitney Postman

IMMEDIATE PAST EDITOR

Jamila Harley

COPY EDITOR

Linda Redmond Taylor

OTHER MEMBERS

Jonet Artis

Mashyllia Minor

Christina Bartley

About RESOUND)))

RESOUND))) is the official Publication of the Association. During the September 2021 Board of Directors retreat, a motion was put forth and affirmed to change the name RESOUND))) to RESOUND))): AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL BLACK ASSOCIATION FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE-AND HEARING. Prior to this, RESOUND))) was the official newsletter of the Association, and is as old as the organization. The first publication was in 1979. The newsletter, originally, combined both member information and research articles, until it was decided to separate the research section into a formal journal. Originally, it was called ECHO. Now it is known as the Journal of the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (JNBASLH).

RESOUND))) highlights member, Affiliate, and Association news, as well as calendar events. To make sure all segments of the Association are included, the Student, Seasoned Member, Affiliates and Audiology Corners highlight news and information, specifically, for those various groups. Association members, such as family members, are also frequently highlighted, since NBASLH has strong support of members’ families. The goals are:

1. To create a sense of community among all segments of the Association;

PUBLICATION DESIGNER

Elvis Agard

2. To update members on Board news;

3. To keep members involved and engaged;

4. To attract new members; and

5. To attract potential sponsors. Affiliates are encouraged to appoint a person responsible for sending news items to be published in RESOUND))).