Washington, D.C. – The MJT‑TV Excel Broadcasting Academy, a local nonprofit that equips high‑school students with practical media and communication skills, was highlighted on ABC‑7’s Good Morning DC on August 19. The segment, hosted by Roxanne Strouk, featured two current participants who described how the program prepares them for professional careers in broadcasting.
Program Overview
Founded in 2010 by William Maurice Johnson and William Marshall Jr., MJT‑TV Excel teaches students to operate cameras, manage lighting and sound, write scripts, co‑produce, and direct town‑hall‑style events. Curriculum topics include voting, financial literacy and mental health, giving participants a broad understanding of civic issues while they learn technical trade skills.
Student Voices
Micheala Steknee, a rising freshman at Northwestern University, has been with the academy for eight weeks after being placed there by the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. She said, “My favorite part of MJT is the people I get to work with and the sense of community we build. It’s something special that deserves to be seen.” She added that the chance to appear on a television broadcast was a “memory of a lifetime.”
Isaiah Fields, a rising junior at George Mason University, entered the program four years ago while attending McKinley Tech High School. He reflected, “Being given a chance to have all these new industry experiences and go to a television broadcast is something I would have never imagined even in ten weeks.”
Community Support
The segment also introduced two city officials who support the academy. Myra Deloatch, community‑based liaison for the Department of Employment Services’ Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program, and Shaleyah McDowell, Public Affairs Associate for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education’s Out‑of‑School Learning Program, praised the initiative. McDowell said, “Being able to witness and be part of change for the youth is a full‑circle moment. I look forward to continuing to inspire and support great change for the city.”
Impact on Youth and the Local Media Landscape
Both founders emphasized the broader purpose of the academy. Johnson explained that the program “gets young people out of sheltered, uninspiring environments, changing their sense of economics and showing them they can pursue professional careers they enjoy.” Marshall added that placing students “in the middle of the broadcast industry builds confidence and leadership skills.”
Sloane Holder, a media acquisition assistant for MJT‑TV Excel and a Columbia University student, also contributed to the program’s operations, illustrating how current college students can mentor younger participants.
Looking Ahead
With continued backing from city agencies and a growing roster of student alumni, MJT‑TV Excel Broadcasting Academy aims to expand its reach to more Washington, D.C. schools. The Good Morning DC appearance underscores the program’s role in fostering a new generation of informed, skilled communicators who can contribute to the city’s civic discourse.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
