Ernest Owens

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Ernest Owens is an award-winning multimedia journalist and editor for Philadelphia Magazine's G Philly. At 24 years old, he is the youngest weekly columnist for a major American city with his iconoclastic column, The Ernest Opinion for Metro US. A graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, he launched a career in media as a talk radio show host for WQHS Radio and as a video producer and op-ed columnist for The Daily Pennsylvanian. He is currently producing and starring in his own television talk show Ernestly Speaking! at Philadelphia Community Access Media where he is also the youngest television host to have a talk show in Philadelphia. With a diverse production crew and format, his weekly program is part of his ultimate plan to enhance the representation of under-represented groups in the media. In addition to his professional pursuits, Ernests passion for social justice and civic responsibility has empowered him to collaborate with the University of Pennsylvanias Netter Center for Community Partnerships to develop academic media enrichment curriculum for West Philadelphia public schools. Owens spearheaded the project and has devoted himself to mentoring and engaging middle school students to develop professional and personal interactions with journalism in their community. Ernest has interned at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, NBC Philadelphia, and Philadelphia City Council. He is currently a contributing writer for The Huffington Post, where he covers a variety of social issues regarding society, race, and entertainment. His work has been featured on USA Today, Al Jazeera English, The Root, The Advocate, The Oprah Winfrey Network and other media outlets. He is a member of the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists, and the Online News Association. His writing and filmmaking has even been honored with the Gold Circle Award by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and a Finalist Award from the Tribeca Film Festival. He loves chatting with people on Twitter so toss a tweet to @MrErnestOwens and check out more of his multimedia at ernestowens.com.