GRADUATION SEASON: My first Commencement as a Professor at Community College of Philadelphia 🖤💙💛
It has been a vigorous academic year of opportunity, persistence, and resilience. I started the Fall as an adjunct professor and got promoted to Visiting Lecturer Fellow in the Spring. Educating these diverse students has been a rewarding experience in ways that are bigger than I expected. As one of the few Black male educators within the faculty, I hold this role with great honor and privilege. I learn so much from them and to be able to instantly impart wisdom and expertise on their lives in real time has been touching.
I’ll never forget how many times I was mistaken as a student on my first days on CCP’s campus or how I had to remind my students that even though I wasn’t yet an “unc” – I was still a “big bro” they had to listen to.
Next week, my younger brother graduates from Temple in the same building hosting this very commencement. It’s touching to know that he’s not the only young graduate that I’ve inspired this season. 🎓
40 UNDER 40! I’m honored and touched to share that I’ve been named a 40 Under 40 Honoree for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc! Words can’t describe this inexplicable experience. There are literally thousands of outstanding brothers in this fraternity who are innovators, trailblazers, and inspirations within their community — to be in that number with these incomparable Black men is truly an honor.
It is during these special times when I’m reminded that continuing to challenge myself – along with the systems and institutions I cover often – is the answer to ongoing success. I’m so grateful to be seen and recognized in this way, and appreciative of the Mighty Rho Chapter I hail from and the great mentors I’ve made along the way!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! When you’re in Cleveland to film a pilot episode of a new TV series inspired by the topic of your book with the legendary Chris Hansen!
“Cancelled” coming soon to a screen near you! 🎬✨😉
I’M DEBATING IN OXFORD, ENGLAND! UNITED KINGDOM, HERE I COME! 🇬🇧
This week marks the 2-year anniversary of my debut book “The Case for Cancel Culture” and it’s being celebrated in the most extraordinary way.
I’ve had the honor and privilege to be invited to participate in a historic debate on cancel culture hosted by the prestigious Oxford Union in England on Thursday! 🔥
Founded in 1823, The Oxford Union is the largest society at the University of Oxford and one of the most prestigious debating societies in the world. In the past, they’ve hosted visits from American Presidents Reagan, Nixon, and Carter, as well as notable figures including Queen Elizabeth II, Morgan Freeman, Malcolm X, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Bernie Sanders, Tom Hanks, Malala, and the Dalai Lama, to name but a few.
I’ll be debating in favor of cancel culture alongside a team of prestigious thought leaders from around the world – and yes, we’re ready to take on the opposition who wants to “cancel” cancel culture. The debate will be held in front of a live audience at Oxford, and filmed for everyone to later watch via their official YouTube channel.
Words can’t describe how all of this feels right now. I’ve gotten to the point where even the lofty goals I’ve personally set for myself have been succumbed by inexplicable opportunities such as these. For this book to continue to find itself in the most unique spaces and places since the tour has been remarkable. I’m super grateful and excited all at the same damn time!
What I can now share is that in the Union’s over 200 year history – the debate was a tie, a historic first.
From my position, that was a win for the opposition (my side).
The Union’s position was in favor of “Cancelling Cancel Culture,” and my team presumed that no matter how well we debated – that room was going to still go against our points.
Going into that room of nearly 300 attendees (and yes, the vast majority of that crowd were white men), something told me that it was possible to change minds.
We did, and we moved that audience straight to the middle.
On February 18th, 1965, James Baldwin debated William Buckley on racism at The Cambridge Union Society.
On February 20th, 2025 – 60 years later – I’m debating Dave Rubin on Cancel Culture.
What a coincidence that six decades later a Black queer writer is engaging in such a prestigious debate in England on a timely issue?
As you can see in this picture, so much has changed since 1965 and so much has not.
But what remains consistent is the power of the voices who come from the experiences that I share – and the need for the work to continue. ✨
ST. LOUIS, I’M COMING TO YOUR CITY THIS SUMMER!
I’m proud to announce that I’m the keynote speaker for the Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center’s (DDNRC) 2025 Conference at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri this July!
This year’s theme is “The Weight of Words: Navigating the Evolving Role of Dialogue in Polarized Times,” and I can’t wait to share some thoughts with several clinicians, researchers, advocates, and professionals across the country!
TUNE IN! Next Monday, January 20th at 9 pm ET, I’ll be making my debut on TV One’s hit crime docuseries “Fatal Attraction.” 🔥
Set your DVRs for next week’s new episode (Season 16, Episode 04 – “Unmasking a Monster”).
I’ll be unpacking this very wild love affair gone deadly. For all my true crime fans, this is covering the Sean Macklin case in Fulton county.
See you all very soon on your cable TV screens 😉
NEW YEAR. NEW SEASON. SAME ENERGY. ✨
An all-new season of Philadelphia City Council Live on WURD Radio returns on Thursday, January 23rd at 10 am! Clearly, we have a lot to catch up on.🔥
I’m proud to formally share that I’ve been officially appointed as a Diversity Visiting Lecturer Fellow at Community College of Philadelphia!
In this new and exciting role, I will continue serving as a professor in CCP’s English department (Communication Studies/Mass Media) but will now be able to impact media course/program assessment and development, student mentoring, and retention. Furthermore, I’ll be helping to advise the academic life of CCP, which includes participating in graduation, recruitment events, general assemblies, student life activities and other cross-functional teams. I’ll also be spearheading large-scale journalism and diversity outreach programming of my own through collaborations with some incredible organizations that I’m a part of!
In other words, I’m getting a great opportunity to not only enrich my own experience – but more importantly, the quality of education these outstanding students will have on campus! At a time when some institutions are scaling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, I’m even more grateful that CCP has not only continued to embrace it, but champion it. Stay tuned for some great things in store next year and beyond!
Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. He is the Political Writer at Large for Philadelphia Magazine, President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and Regional Vice President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Mid-Atlantic Chapter). He is a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the executive producer and host of the hit podcast “Ernestly Speaking!” and host of Philadelphia City Council Live on WURD Radio. He’s the author of the book “The Case for Cancel Culture” that’s published by St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers. As an openly Black gay journalist, he has made headlines for speaking frankly about intersectional issues in society regarding race, LGBTQIA, and pop culture. In 2018, he launched his growing media company that specializes in multimedia production, consulting, and communications.
In June 2016, he made a viral post on Twitter that called out superstar Justin Timberlake during the BET Awards. The tweet got a response from Timberlake that prompted a national discussion on cultural appropriation. For several years, his extensive reporting on racism in the LGBTQ community received national attention as he revealed acts of racial discrimination in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood. His coverage was cited by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations as reviving a decades long issue in the community that finally led to local government intervention, an anti-discrimination bill being unanimously passed, and the city’s pride rainbow flag to now include black and brown stripes to acknowledge racial inclusion. His versatile talent has taken him from Ghana to the White House, where he’s interviewed countless political leaders (such as Vice President Kamala Harris) to Hollywood where he’s interviewed industry heavyweights (such as Oprah Winfrey and Academy Award winning screenwriter Tarell Alvin McCraney).
An innovative millennial, Ernest has already become an emerging media mogul in his own right. He received his B.A. in communication from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He’s an adjunct professor at Community College of Philadelphia. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, CNN, NBC, Dr. Phil Primetime, and other prominent media outlets. He’s also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and the Online News Association.
He has earned countless honors, which includes landing on the 2024 Most Influential African Americans list by The Philadelphia Tribune, the 2023 City & State PA Pride Power 100 list, winning the 2020 Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, and other honors from Forbes, American Society of Magazine Editors, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, Pen & Pencil Club, and City & Regional Magazine Association. In 2022, he was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for his writing at Rolling Stone magazine.
He can be found on Twitter and other social media platforms at @MrErnestOwens & ernestowens.com.
For Virtual and In-Person Speaking Inquiries:
Sean Lawton
Collective Speakers
720-778-2776
sean@collectivespeakers.com
New headshots by photographer Charlotte Tatum.
To be clear, I knew what I was walking into when I decided to go on the show – which was why I was poised and ready to engage in the kind of debate that aired. In the end, my point was made clear and I’m glad so many people are recognizing how cancel culture has been weaponized as a scapegoat for people to divorce themselves from accountability.
For those who missed the premiere, you can now watch it for FREE at www.meritplus.com without any ads!
WOAH!! MY PODCAST IS NOMINATED!!! I’m proud to share that my podcast #ErnestlySpeaking is nominated for Best News & Politics Podcast at the 2024 Black Podcasting Awards! Thank you so much BPA for this national recognition and all of my fellow nominees across America celebrating right now!
This is the first award nomination my podcast has ever received and to be honest, it’s truly touching as this has been an independent endeavor of mine that was birthed from a desire to experiment during the pandemic.
For years, my followers wanted me to create a podcast because it was trendy. I was stubborn at the time because I don’t pursue things that I can’t fully envision myself doing well and consistently.
At the end of 2020, I finally had the concept and didn’t want to wait to “pitch” it to anyone. I fully funded the equipment with my own money. I independently produce, edit, and own the rights of the show through my media company. My best friend Jamarcus Henderson produced the title track music and I committed myself to airing an episode every week (except twice a year).
Nearly 4 years and over 175 episodes later, I’m still doing it on my own terms – and that’s not changing.
I want to thank the thousands of loyal listeners who tune in every week. I don’t take it for granted that you’re giving me a few hours of your week to hear the political and social views of a Black queer millennial journalist navigating these unprecedented times just like you. Thank you for affirming that voices like mine deserve to not just be heard, but amplified. I don’t filter or censor shit on my podcast and I appreciate y'all for appreciating that.
We’ll find out who wins next week. But I’m already declaring this nomination as a victory within itself – anything else is just a huge cherry on top (that I would still like) lol.
May this inspire someone out there to just pursue things that sincerely interest you and let the rest of the world catch up.
Thank you African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ, and DE for recognizing me in the inaugural Impact 10: Leaders & Legacy Honorees!
Last night was a fabulous time to be along some equally impressive peers, and I appreciate the designation of being an industry leader and executive.
For the past decade, I’ve unlearned and reimagined what that role looked like for me. It takes a lot of resilience in rejecting dated “advice” from skeptics, being at peace with taking a lot of risks alone, and embracing what’s pouring into you more than what’s not worthy.
My three reworked pieces of advice I give to those in my sphere for what it’s worth is:
1) Don’t let anyone tell you when it’s “your” turn, because it’s “your turn” whenever YOU decide it is. Period.
2) Burn bridges that are no longer holding you because they’ve lost the entire point of what a bridge is supposed to be.
3) Lead with conviction and compassion because what’s the point of being a leader if you don’t stand on business with love.
Bonus points: Show up, dress up, and win awards in front of some of the folks who once gave you bad advice so you can inspire them to rethink such as well.
Proud to be a Life Member Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc!
ΑΦΑ | Rho Chapter | SP 24 | #10 | Da’ Scribe
LIMITLESSNESS: I’m honored to finally announce that I’m a Proud Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – the first Black intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity in America!
Entering the fold by way of the Mighty Rho Chapter – the only single-letter alumni chapter in Alpha Phi Alpha and first to become “mighty” – makes all of this even more incredible.
Being initiated with these 12 incredible men – we’re the 13 Pharaohs of Fire & Ice – was a journey well taken. We each possess and have gained even more unique qualities and gifts that made us all better line brothers and men of distinction. I look forward to what we will all contribute to Alphaland, the Divine 9, and the world!
To my Phrozen Dean, ADPs, Sponsor, Recommender, and Rho Brothers – thank you all for leading us towards the light and showing us the spirit of brotherhood.
And lastly, for those who know my story, you know why all of this is full circle for me.
I’ll say this for anyone who can relate: Don’t let anyone tell you when, how, and where a chapter in your story begins, continues, and ends. You can be who you truly are, stay true to your principles, and arrive at where you’re supposed to be on your own terms. Some things are debatable, while others are a birthright.
This is my birthright.
“Standing strong, standing bold, for the Mighty BLACK & GOLD!”
I did it.