Meet Three Disney Media Leaders Attending NABJ26
ABC News and ESPN are once again attending the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair to connect with journalism professionals and share what it’s like to work at Disney. Ahead of the conference, we connected with three leaders who will be attending to talk about their experience with NABJ and share advice for attendees.
Name: Eboni
Role: Senior Broadcast Producer, Good Morning America
Years with Disney: 6
Name: Rodney
Role: Coordinating Producer, ESPN
Years with Disney: 11
Name: Air
Role: Producer, SportsCenter
Years with Disney: 4.5
Tell us about yourself! What’s your role and what do you do on a day-to-day basis?
Eboni:
I am a Senior Broadcast producer here at Good Morning America. I manage a team of producers to create content specifically for Robin Roberts. On any given day, I’m working with our Executive Producers to get stories to air, overseeing the production of pieces, revising scripts, producing high profile interviews, managing logistics and budgets for live and tape shoots, fielding requests from other ABC shows, developing promo plans for our content and working closely with the digital and social teams.
I’m sure there are a few things I left off that list, but that is part of the beauty of the job - no two days are alike. The goal, however, is always the same: making sure we have engaging and inclusive content that appeals to the GMA audience.
Rodney:
I’m a television production professional with more than 30 years of experience, and I’ve been with ESPN since 2015. After producing NBA, WNBA, college basketball and Little League World Series broadcasts, I became Coordinating Producer for ESPN’s WNBA coverage in 2025.
My role is much bigger than producing a game. I help shape the entire presentation—from building production teams and assigning talent to collaborating with studio, creative, social and programming. Every broadcast is a chance to tell the story of the league in a way that serves the fans and continues to raise the bar for our coverage.
What I enjoy most is bringing all those pieces together to create an experience that viewers remember, not just a game they watched.
Air:
What’s my role? Well, technically I’m a high-functioning, problem-solving, show-curating, multi-tasking ninja, but the abbreviated version…is simply a SportsCenter Producer.
Day-to-day, it’s my job is to create the blueprint for a show that showcases the best in sports, culture, entertainment and sports news with a bit of comedic relief sprinkled along the way. I have the rare pleasure of producing two completely different shows within the SportsCenter universe. Some days I’m producing for the likes of Matt Barrie, Hannah Storm and Jay Harris on the 2pm SportsCenter. Other days, I’m holding it down in the morning producing everyone’s favorite SportsCenter bro-cast with Gary Striewski and Randy Scott.
How did you get connected with NABJ?
Eboni:
In college, I dreamed of being a news anchor. As a first-generation college student and a young mom, I didn’t have a blueprint for what it would take to succeed in this field. I joined the student chapter at Indiana University hoping to find mentors and gain community that could help me figure it out.
Lucky for me, I was introduced to Cheryl Parker, an anchor at FOX 59 in Indianapolis. She insisted that I needed to attend the NABJ convention in Atlanta in 2005. In fact, she believed in me so much she paid for my hotel to make sure I could attend. That became the first of many NABJ conventions I would attend and really changed the trajectory of my career.
Rodney:
My connection with NABJ has grown through my work at ESPN. What started as attending the convention has turned into serving as an ESPN ambassador and producing the ESPN Summit. Each year I’ve become more invested because it’s an opportunity to connect with people who are passionate about sports media and looking for a path into the industry.
Air:
I “officially” got connected to NABJ when I was an Executive Producer at ABC News in Sacramento, CA during the pandemic. I was tired of hearing how life changing attending NABJ’s annual convention was that I decided to finally see what all the hype was about…and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
The first year I attended was virtual due to the pandemic. At the time, I was looking for a change in career. I was feeling burnt out from the doom and gloom of the current news cycle and wanted to feel that human connection we all were missing. A colleague told me that NABJ would be the perfect opportunity to be among like-minded individuals in our community, re-ignite that fire and explore job opportunities at its career fair. I was blown away by how many major media companies were actively looking to hire black journalists. But there was one company that stood out above the rest…ESPN. I connected with an amazing recruiter and the rest is history!
Tell us about your experience with NABJ. How has the organization helped you grow professionally?
Eboni:
I always tell young journalists that nearly every major professional opportunity I’ve had began with a relationship or connection made at NABJ.
At my very first convention, I met a recruiter from FOX News Channel who helped me land an internship and later, my first full-time job. Then several years later, a connection with a CNN recruiter led to 11 amazing years of my career in Atlanta. In 2019, I casually introduced myself to talent recruiters at the ABC booth, who immediately insisted I meet the Executive Producer of GMA…and the rest is history.
NABJ gave me the connections and the blueprint that I so desperately needed to build a successful career and lasting friendships!
Rodney:
One of the things I appreciate most about NABJ is the opportunity to have real conversations with students, young professionals and people looking to take the next step in their careers. Those conversations remind me why I got into this business in the first place.
Professionally, NABJ has reinforced something I believe strongly: our responsibility isn’t just to produce great television—it’s to reach people, teach what we’ve learned and help create opportunities for those coming behind us.
Air:
My experience with NABJ has been changing life. If it weren’t for becoming an NABJ member in 2021 and attending its convention, I wouldn’t be at ESPN. NABJ created the platform for me to get on ESPN’s radar and connect directly with its recruiters. After joining ESPN a few months later, I made it a priority to get involved with NABJ and help the next generation of black talent blaze their paths. Since then, I’ve attended its convention every year, as a member of NABJ, an ESPN Ambassador and for the past two years as the Producer of ESPN’s Sports Media Summit and NABJ’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
NABJ continues to renew my purpose and passion as a woman of color in this industry and in my evolving role at ESPN.
As a seasoned media professional, how do you help others grow professionally through NABJ?
Eboni:
I am passionate about mentoring students and early career journalists. I know firsthand how important that is. Whether it’s reviewing reels, giving advice or sharing opportunities, I try to make sure I’m paying it forward and helping others envision a path for themselves.
Rodney:
I try to be accessible. Whether someone wants to become an editor, producer, on-air talent or work in live event production, I enjoy sharing the lessons I’ve learned over three decades in the business—the successes, the mistakes and everything in between.
Producing ESPN’s Summit is another extension of that philosophy. We want attendees to see not only the work we do, but also the many different career paths that exist at ESPN. If someone walks away believing they belong in this industry because of a conversation we had, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.
Air:
I show up! Each year since I attended my first convention, I’ve made it a point to return with one goal: give back. I’ve had the pleasure of returning as an ESPN Ambassador to find talented individuals who would be a good fit at ESPN and help create pathways to employment. I also try to pay it forward every year by sponsoring someone to attend NABJ. And through mentorship and networking, I do my best to help the next generation grow and succeed.
Something my family always instilled in me was… “Each one, Teach one!” Meaning, if you’re fortunate enough to learn something, it’s your responsibility (and blessing) to pass it on so our community can grow stronger.
How does it feel to see companies like Disney showing up and representing in spaces like NABJ?
Eboni:
It’s incredibly meaningful for companies to continue to invest in NABJ. When a company like Disney is present and actively participating, it demonstrates a commitment to listening, investing in talent and helping ensure that a wide range of voices and experiences are represented in the rooms where decisions are made and stories are told.
Rodney:
It’s encouraging because it demonstrates that developing the next generation of storytellers matters. I get to see firsthand the preparation that goes into the ESPN Summit and our presence at NABJ. It’s more than attending an event—it’s creating meaningful opportunities to connect, listen and inspire. Those conversations often have a lasting impact on both the attendees and those of us representing ESPN.
Air:
It feels necessary. Black athletes and black culture are such a large part of what we cover at ESPN that it would be a disservice to not seek out black talent to help represent, tell and elevate those stories. Representation matters, not just on camera, but behind the scenes and in the decision-making process, too.
What advice do you have for other journalism professionals and/or NABJ members who are interested in roles at Disney?
Eboni:
Make connections and build the relationships before you need them!
Some of the most important moments in my career began with simply introducing myself, asking a question, or staying in touch with someone I met along the way. Don’t wait until you see a job posting to start building those relationships.
And when the opportunity does come, be prepared. Know what you bring to the table and be able to talk about your work and your goals.
Rodney:
Stay curious, be prepared and don’t limit yourself to one path.
Many people see the on-air personalities, but every great production is built by talented people behind the scenes. Whether your passion is producing, editing, directing, graphics, operations or storytelling, there’s a place for people who are committed to learning and improving.
Most importantly, build relationships. Ask questions. Listen more than you talk. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn, and you never know which one will open the next door in your career.
Air:
My advice is a three-parter:
- Put yourself out there. My grandmother always told me, "Go out on the limb - it's where the fruit is." That couldn't be truer, especially when it comes to chasing your dreams.
- Take every opportunity as a chance to learn. Whether you hear "yes" or "no," whether you win or lose, there's a lesson in both. Learn it... then keep it pushin'.
- ALWAYS BET ON YOU. I often remind myself to dream big, stay on the grind and NEVER count myself out before someone else has the chance to count me in.
ABC News and ESPN recruiters, ambassadors and employees will be at the NABJ Convention & Career Fair in Atlanta Aug. 12-16. Stop by our booth to learn more about journalism and media careers at Disney and visit DisneyCareers.com to explore current openings.
