Playbill: A Mass Media Arts Production

On April 20th, the Mass Media Arts Department will hold its third annual Royal Court Pageant in Davage Auditorium. The reigning 2025-2026 MMA royal court at Clark Atlanta University will present the new rising creatives and influential minds in a promising production. 

Born from the vision of Devyn Bullock, a 2024 CAU graduate and remarkable Miss National Association of Black Journalism (2023–2024). This celebration stands as both a legacy and a living story, showcasing the four pillars of MMA: NABJ, WSTU, PRSSA, and The Panther Newspaper. 

With my quiet hum of anticipation, I decided to attend one of their rehearsals and gather stories from the future and present crown holder, starting with the future. Here are their answers. 

What motivated you to run for this position?

Evin Goodwin, Mister Panther Candidate- “Network opportunities and proximity I get to mass media that I normally don’t get in the B school”.

Ariana Ervin, Miss Panther Candidate-” I was motivated by Mr. Panther (2025-2026) at the org fair–knowing his character– I just wanted to give it a chance.”

Keyontae Rozier, Mister NABJ Candidate- “My E-board, NABJ, motivated me to run for this position. They gave me the confidence.”

Julian Roberts, Mister Panther Candidate- “I wanted to use every aspect of mass media arts to push out stories that are being made on campus.”

What are your goals for your position within the organization/MMA?

Evin Goodwin, Mister Panther Candidate-” I plan to create a space filled with opportunities for creatives of all different types.”

Ida Allen, Miss NABJ Candidate-” I want to use my platform to bring a spotlight to creators around campus”.

Ariana Ervin, Miss Panther Candidate- “To give mass media arts students the recognition that we deserve – really within ourselves, just knowing that our creativity is a gift.”

Keyontae Rozier, Mister NABJ Candidate- “To host three events, at least one writing workshop, a photography workshop, and more fundraisers within the community as well.”

Julian Roberts, Mister Panther Candidate- “I am going to use storytelling to tell stories of the entire AUC and I will branch out throughout the whole city of Atlanta.”

What has been exciting about this experience?  

Evin Goodwin, Mister Panther Candidate- “Learning new skills, none of the things that I am learning is hurting me. No matter how embarrassing it is- getting out of my comfort zone, becoming a more evolved, better version of myself.”

Can you leave the people with a quote?

Evin Goodwin, Mister Panther Candidate- “Just stay true to who you are and you’ll be okay.”

Ida Allen, Miss NABJ Candidate- “It's not a bad life, it's just a bad day.”

Ariana Ervin, Miss Panther Candidate- “Everything happens in God’s timing.”

Keyontae Rozier, Mister NABJ Candidate- “Be great or be forgotten.”

Julian Roberts, Mister Panther Candidate- “What is your greatest fear? My biggest fear is not that I am inadequate, but it’s that I am more powerful beyond measure.”

Productions of this scale cannot be done without a solid team. Here are some stories from the current crown holders that have been an excellent example of how to represent a department in unity and propriety. Here are the stories from the current court.

How much intention has gone into planning this event?

Micah Jackson, Mister WSTU- “Long nights, we worked diligently with the contestants to make sure that they are perfect and stage ready”.

Christina Childress, Miss WSTU- “Wanting it to be better for the future crown holders. We're just so ambitious about it because we want their experience to be ten times better”.

Kierstyn Alysse Pryor, Miss PRSSA- “Down to the creativity- logistics. We're planning the design and what it should look like. Everybody has their strong suit, and everybody brings intentions in a different way, which is good”.

What can the audience expect from the show?

Micah Jackson, Mister WSTU- “Greatness.”

Christina Childress, Miss WSTU- “Expect the unexpected."

Kierstyn Alysse Pryor, Miss PRSSA- “Don’t come looking for just any regular pageant.”

What has been enjoyable about this experience?

Micah Jackson, Mister WSTU- “Just being around people that want to come to one goal. I think that’s beautiful."

Christina Childress, Miss WSTU- “Watching people grow in confidence, bringing it out of them has been a great time."

Even through the interviews, their fatigue was present, but so was their determination. Every late night and careful detail speaks to a shared commitment to a show that they will deliver. As Mr. Panther, I’ll be front and center, proudly cheering on my fellow court members as they step into their moment. I invite the royal family of CAU to join in this celebration of excellence, unity, and the Mass Media Arts Department's power. The stage is set! Meet us on Monday, April 20th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Davage Auditorium, and witness the reign unfold.