Hannah Joy

Masters of Specialized Journalism graduate from the University of Southern California -- Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism with experience in reporting, anchoring, hosting, media communication, public policy administration, reporting, political analysis, digital content creation, and political commentary

“My role is to bring a voice to people who are voiceless and to shine a light in the darkest corners of the world.”  - Janine di Giovanni  

RECENT STORIES

Annenberg Media •

Opinion: Show USC some love, Rick Caruso

No need to buy chocolates for us this Valentine’s Day. Here’s a more lasting contribution you can make as the USC trustee who helped bring an end to the tortuous reign of ex-campus gynecologist George Tyndall, who stands accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of women over more than three decades at the campus health center.

Go ahead and take the heat from your hyper-secretive colleagues on the university’s governing board. Brave the scorn of university lawyers. Do whatever it takes to release
Annenberg Media •

Opinion: Biden blew it big-time in Philly

I probably would have walked out of President Joe Biden’s save-our-democracy speech in Philadelphia. The backdrop of Independence Hall stood as a painful reminder of the broken promises of our Constitution. Biden’s message to Americans fell short when he failed to highlight the challenges and hardships many Black Americans face. The Constitution I know became a weapon to oppress, depress, and suppress the contributions of Black people, who sacrificed their livelihood for a nation that does not embrace equality.
University of Southern California -- Annenberg Media •

Summer In Perris

TAKE A LOOK - Perris Is Burning

Navy Veteran Ronald Mack Jr. says the heat gets so bad in the Perris Valley, it causes the metal bullet fragments in his legs and back to ache. He doesn’t have a hood on his motorized wheelchair, so he rolls down the sidewalk looking for shade under trees or bus stop awnings. Bus drivers often slow down for him, figuring he needs a ride, but he waves them off. Retiree Elizabeth Derrones spends her summer days at a Perris “cooling center,” set up by Riverside Coun
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Cast Talks Amazon Prime's Newest Series 'DOM' [Video]

Amazon Prime’s first scripted Brazilian original series, Dom, is a crime drama about the true story of a father and son on opposite sides of the war on drugs in Rio de Janeiro. The show follows Victor, a young diver who becomes a military intelligence agent and embraces the war on drugs as his life mission.

Pedro succumbs to cocaine. Pedro turns into an addict as well as the leader of a criminal gang and becomes one of the most wanted criminals in Rio: Pedro Dom.

The Amazon Original series sta
The Louisiana Weekly •

Louisiana Creole Research Association honors photographers for their work in preserving history

Through his camera lens, award-winning photographer Harold F. Baquet documented African-American political and daily life in his native city of New Orleans.

Baquet’s contribution to society was recognized posthumously on October 25 by the Louisiana Creole Research Association, who honored the life and legacy of Baquet as part of the 15th Annual Conference on Louisiana Creole History and Culture. In Baquet’s honor, his widow, Cheron Brylski, accepted the award on his behalf.
The Louisiana Weekly •

Footprints to Fitness charts

From the food to the festivals and the culture, the attitude of laissez les bons temps rouler has been great for the spirit of the city, but not always great for the health of its residents. Local news broadcaster April Dupré said she launched Footprints To Fitness in 2014 to help residents have fun, but also get fit.

“The wellness company is a full on experience. It’s about staying true to the New Orleans culture. My main goal is to create fun and unique fitness and wellness experiences,” said Dupré, who is a traffic anchor for WWL-TV News Channel 4, and who teaches the Fitness Fusion class three days a week.
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Angela & Vanessa Simmons Talk New Season Of 'Growing Up Hip-Hop' [Video]

Television stars Vanessa and Angela Simmons are starring in WETV’s “Growing Up Hip-Hop.”

Vanessa and Angela are best known for starring in MTV’s hit-show Run’s House. Vanessa and Angela are the daughters of rapper Joseph Simmons known as Rev. Run. Run’s house looks at the life of Rev. Run his wife and six children as the show highlights their experiences, love for each other, and building their careers.

In Season 6 Angela Simmons has a new love interest, who packs a punch as a professional box
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Jacob Latimore Discusses Season 4 of Showtime Series 'The Chi' [Video]

Jacob Latimore is starring as Emmett in the Showtime series “The Chi.” Jacob Latimore is best known for his roles in Black Nativity, The Maze Runner, Collateral Beauty, Detroit, and starting his career off as a singer.

THE CHI is a story about a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Season 4 will look at the wide-ranging effects of policing in the Black community and other run-ins with the police. J
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Director David Bohórquez Discusses New Film ‘The Devil’s Child’

The Devil’s Child is a film about an American nurse who is haunted by childhood trauma when she is employed at a remote house to care for a sinister old man with psychic powers.

Director David Bohórquez uses his basic film editing skills to create a horror film that unlocks great suspense for viewers. The Knockturnal spoke with director David Bohórquez about the film and his experiences when creating.

The Knockturnal: In the movie The Devil’s Child, we see the nurse being haunted by childhood
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Robert Ri’chard x Fashion Shoot & Interview [Video]

Ri’chard is a versatile actor who is able to go from comedy to faith-based, and horror movies. In 2020, the actor was in the dark bloody horror film, Alone, with one of the greatest actors of all time Donald Sutherland. He said that Covid-19 helped prepare him for a role along with rock climbing to stay fit.

With the faith-based film, “My Brother’s Keeper”, focuses on mental health and PTSD. Mental health is about becoming resilient with life’s trials and tribulations as many icons, civil-right
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Director Carlos Gutierrez Discusses New Film ‘Locked In’

The film follows a mother (Mena) protecting herself and her daughter during a heist that has gone wrong at a storage facility. The Knockturnal spoke with Carlos Gutierrez about the film “Locked In.”

The Knockturnal: I thought it was interesting to see the relationship between Mena and her teenage daughter. Teenagers are typically “know it alls” and known to have an attitude. When Mena and her daughter faced difficulty with the criminals they both had to fight for each other. Why is it important
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: USA's 'Queen of the South' Co-Showrunner Benjamin Lobato Discusses Final Season

Award-winning triple-threat Benjamin Lobato uses his skills as a producer, director, and writer to create USA’s Queen of the South.

The series is based on Teresa Mendoza, a woman who is forced to run and seek refuge in America after her drug-dealing boyfriend is unexpectedly murdered in Mexico.The Knockturnal spoke with Mexican- American co-showrunner Benjamin Lobato about the fifth and final season of the USA series.

The Knockturnal: How did your education from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Lauren E. Banks discusses Starring In Showtime's 'City on a Hill' [Video]

Actress Lauren E. Banks is starring in Showtime’s “City on a Hill.” Banks is best known as a racial equality activist which has helped her play the role of Siobhan Quays in the Showtime series.

In Season 2 of “City on a Hill” the federal housing project in Boston is experiencing drug violence, racial discrimination, and distrust in local law enforcement. Actress Lauren E. Banks sees the parallel between our country experiencing civil unrest and playing a private attorney. She was honored to hav
The Knockturnal •

Vanessa Baden-Kelly Discusses New Book 'Far Away from Close to Home: A Black Millennial Woman in Progress'

Vanessa Baden-Kelly is an Emmy winning actress and nominated writer who has written a book called, Far Away from Close to Home: A Black Millennial Woman in Progress.

In the book, she examines what the idea of “home” means to a Black millennial woman. The book will be released on May 4th, published by Three Rooms Press and will be sold in major bookstores and Amazon/Kindle. The Knockturnal spoke with Vanessa about her new book.

The Knockturnal: Can you tell us about your new book “Far Away from
The Knockturnal •

Film Director Kyle Thomas Discusses 'Range Roads'

Director Kyle Thomas created a Canadian Film Range Roads to show grief, forgiveness, and the beautiful complexities of what it means to be a family. Range Roads will make its World Premiere at Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California. Range Roads will be available to US audiences from March 20th-30th, 2021 to highlight creativity and technological innovations. The Knockturnal spoke with Kyle about the film.

The Knockturnal: In the film, we see Frankie struggle in the relationship with he
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Charlie Farley Discusses New Music & Career

Singer and songwriter Charlie Farley has been striving for success as he releases new music with a country and hip-hop sound to impact all people. The Knockturnal spoke with Charlie about his music and his career.

The Knockturnal: What inspired you to create “Quotable”? What’s your favorite Quote and why?

Charlie Farley: I was inspired to create Quotable by accident to be honest, lol. I just started by posting some inspirational and uplifting quotes on Facebook. I was tired of seeing nothing b
The Knockturnal •

Katie Chonacas Discusses 'A Lover's Fairytale' Book Release

Katie Chonacas aka KYRIAKI is releasing her very first poetry book entitled “A Lover’s Fairytale” on 21st of March, on World Poetry Day. In the poems, Katie discusses the experience of what love means to her while traveling the globe. The Knockturnal spoke with Katie about her new book.

The Knockturnal: How did you get your start in acting?

Katie Chonacas: First of all, thank you so much for having me on The Knockturnal! Shout out to Adam Swig from Value Culture for introducing us. I am so gra
The Knockturnal •

Exclusive: Tilke Hill Discusses Amazon Prime Micro Series 'Why I Murdered My Roommate'

Actress and producer Tilke Hill created the micro-series “Why I Murdered My Roommate” to unify people with dark comedy, but also show how laughter comes in many forms. Along with Tilke’s many other projects, she has created a digital short easy called “Queer Suffragist” for the Toronto/ Buffalo PBS affiliate. The Knockturnal spoke with Tilke Hill about her career and Amazon Prime micro-series.

The Knockturnal: Why was it significant to create a dark comedy micro-series? How did you create the s
The Knockturnal •

Highlights From The 3rd Annual Celebration of Black Cinema

On Tuesday, February 2nd The Critics Choice Association hosted the 3rd Annual Celebration of Black Cinema, via a virtual ceremony, to honor 10 visionary films and 15 actors, producers, and directors of the season.

The Critics Choice Association presented the 3rd Annual Celebration of Black Cinema award ceremony for black directors, actors, and producers who are dedicated to telling Black Stories on film. The goal of the ceremony was to recognize those individuals who have worked to create diver
Data News Weekly •

Climate Activists urge Small and Big Actions to Address Environmental Change

Climate change and environmental
degradation have become an existential
problem for communities,
advocates said, yet the topic of climate
change is overlooked because
people still remain uninformed.
Citizens automatically think that
when the weather is too cold or too
hot, it is a normal environmental
occurrence. Residents, activists,
and young people participated in
climate change awareness activities
from hosting a community forum
on Sept. 16, 2019, to joining in on
the global climate strike on Sept.
20th. South African Activist Desmond
D’Sa spoke in solidarity with
New Orleans activists on changing
the narrative about debates on the
environment as part of a Justice &
Beyond Climate Change Forum at
Café Istanbul.
Data News Weekly •

Festival Heats Up America’s Favorite Southern Dish: Fried Chicken – New Orleans Data News Weekly

The tender, juicy, crunchy, and sometimes salty endulgence of fried chicken is an integral part of the culinary culture of African Americans across the south. In New Orleans, the love of fried chicken brought people from all around the world together to experience America’s favorite Southern dish. At the fourth annual National Fried Chicken Festival held three days this year from Sept. 20 to 22, at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park, over 100 vendors and food trucks participated in this event to sho
Data News Weekly •

Femme Fatale Rolled Through Uptown With Female Empowerment – New Orleans Data News Weekly

Residents turned out to see Grammy Award-Winner Irma Thomas who served as the Grand Marshall this year for the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale’s Parade along the Uptown route on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. The primarily African-American all-women krewe was established in 2013 for women of all racial backgrounds to come together during the Mardi Gras Season and bring social awareness through the community.

“Growing up, Femme Fatale has always been about meeting new people, having fun, the community comi