The inaugural Wells Fargo Endowed Chair Master Class at North Carolina Central University is an exciting new series that showcases Black leaders who are making significant contributions to the fields of communication and journalism through innovative strategies and compelling storytelling. This initiative aims to provide a platform for these accomplished individuals to share their insights, experiences, and expertise with students, faculty, and the broader community.
This series is hosted by Aerial Ellis, Ed.D, NCCU's Wells Fargo Endowed Chair/Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mass Communications.
The first guest in the series is Kelley L. Carter, senior entertainment reporter, ABC News contributor and ESPN Andscape. Kelley joined the Undefeated from Buzzfeed, where she was a senior editor for entertainment from September 2014 to December 2015. Prior to Buzzfeed, she served as entertainment editor at Ebony magazine from 2012 to 2014, where she helped shape the entertainment and celebrity content for the African American general-interest magazine.
Kelley has interviewed many of Hollywood’s elite, including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Jada Pinkett Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Drew Barrymore, Jamie Foxx, Mark Wahlberg, Katie Holmes, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Ben Stiller, Bradley Cooper, Courteney Cox, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Aniston, Ryan Reynolds, Sandra Bullock, Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr.
A native of Detroit, Mich., Kelley graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. She is one of the leading entertainment journalists in the country and serves as chair of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Arts and Entertainment Task Force.
In August 2019, Kelley received the special NABJ President’s Award for her contributions to the organization and the craft of journalism.
By featuring Black leaders who are at the forefront of driving change and innovation in the communication and journalism space, the Master Class series seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of communicators and journalists.
