Spring Break
The Daily OrangeControversial journalist to discuss career
By Helina Kebede
Posted: 2/24/09, 12:56 AM EST Section: News
Hip-hop journalist and author Kim Osorio will discuss her experiences in the magazine industry today at 1 p.m. in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse III.
Osorio, former editor in chief of The Source, a popular Hip-Hop music magazine, was the first woman to lead the publication. She was fired from the magazine in 2005, and then sued it a year later for sexual harassment, gender discrimination and defamation, retaliatory discharge and maintaining a hostile work environment, according to the Washington Post. She collected a $15.5 million settlement.
Osorio's lecture was initially brought to the attention of Lindsay Silberman, president of Ed2010, a campus magazine organization, through the group's advisor, Melissa Chessher. Ed2010 is co-sponsoring the event with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
"I was immediately thrilled about the idea," Silberman said. "I had read a Q&A she did in Vibe Magazine and she sounded like such a powerful and successful woman. When we realized that Ms. Osorio would probably draw a big crowd, it was decided that rather than having only an exclusive Ed2010 event with her, she would give a public talk."
Osorio will talk about her experiences as a journalist, from her career at The Source to general elements of the music magazine genre, Silberman said. Following the talk, she will sign copies of her book, "Straight from the Source: An Expose from the Former Editor in Chief of the Hip-Hop Bible."
"We felt that Kim Osorio would be an amazing person to speak about the music magazine genre," Silberman said, "And, more specifically, what it was like to become the first woman editor in chief of The Source magazine."
Shelly Griffin, organizer of the event, said she believes Osorio will appeal to students of different majors.
"We thought her background would link versatile groups from television, radio and film majors to magazine majors," Griffin said.
Mike Estabrook, a sophomore magazine major, said he looks forward to the talk and thinks it will be interesting to hear from someone who is already in the business. He said he also hopes to get some pointers from Osorio.
Students like Carine Umuhumuza, a sophomore magazine major, said they hope to gain insight from Osorio's experience. Umuhumuza, who is also studying African American studies, said she, like Osorio, aspires to become an editor and perhaps write for a black publication.
Osorio is scheduled to speak to a hip-hop class at 5 p.m. today. She will discuss topics from rap music to record deals, Griffin said, in addition to hosting an exclusive question and answer session for Ed2010 members.
hakebede@syr.edu
Osorio, former editor in chief of The Source, a popular Hip-Hop music magazine, was the first woman to lead the publication. She was fired from the magazine in 2005, and then sued it a year later for sexual harassment, gender discrimination and defamation, retaliatory discharge and maintaining a hostile work environment, according to the Washington Post. She collected a $15.5 million settlement.
Osorio's lecture was initially brought to the attention of Lindsay Silberman, president of Ed2010, a campus magazine organization, through the group's advisor, Melissa Chessher. Ed2010 is co-sponsoring the event with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
"I was immediately thrilled about the idea," Silberman said. "I had read a Q&A she did in Vibe Magazine and she sounded like such a powerful and successful woman. When we realized that Ms. Osorio would probably draw a big crowd, it was decided that rather than having only an exclusive Ed2010 event with her, she would give a public talk."
Osorio will talk about her experiences as a journalist, from her career at The Source to general elements of the music magazine genre, Silberman said. Following the talk, she will sign copies of her book, "Straight from the Source: An Expose from the Former Editor in Chief of the Hip-Hop Bible."
"We felt that Kim Osorio would be an amazing person to speak about the music magazine genre," Silberman said, "And, more specifically, what it was like to become the first woman editor in chief of The Source magazine."
Shelly Griffin, organizer of the event, said she believes Osorio will appeal to students of different majors.
"We thought her background would link versatile groups from television, radio and film majors to magazine majors," Griffin said.
Mike Estabrook, a sophomore magazine major, said he looks forward to the talk and thinks it will be interesting to hear from someone who is already in the business. He said he also hopes to get some pointers from Osorio.
Students like Carine Umuhumuza, a sophomore magazine major, said they hope to gain insight from Osorio's experience. Umuhumuza, who is also studying African American studies, said she, like Osorio, aspires to become an editor and perhaps write for a black publication.
Osorio is scheduled to speak to a hip-hop class at 5 p.m. today. She will discuss topics from rap music to record deals, Griffin said, in addition to hosting an exclusive question and answer session for Ed2010 members.
hakebede@syr.edu
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