Fox News anchor Arthel Neville and Japanese percussionist and recording artist Taku Hirano — who also happen to be husband and wife — visited Moody College in September 2022, each sharing their own experience of working in media. Neville, who graduated from Moody College, was the first high-profile Black female entertainment reporter as host and producer of “Extreme Closeup” on E! Entertainment Television and the first Black woman to host her own daily show on CNN. Hirano graduated from Berklee College of Music and is one of the most in-demand percussionists of his generation. He has worked with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre and Stevie Nicks.

Bob Iger was instrumental in turning Disney into a media powerhouse with several key acquisitions, including Pixar, Marvel and 21st Century Fox. In September 2022, Radio-Television-Film students were invited to his lecture, where he talked about his career path and discussed the overall media industry.

David Bacon, who is one of the country’s foremost photo documentarians of the labor movement and immigration issues on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, visited Moody College in January 2023. He was the inaugural artist at the new School of Journalism and Media Photo Gallery, with work spanning his 30-year career. Bacon spoke to students about social justice photography, making a career in the industry and the importance of slowing down in our busy world to notice what’s around you.

Neal Moritz has produced more than 60 major motion pictures, including the “Fast and Furious” franchise, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Cruel Intentions.” His films have earned more than $11 billion at box offices worldwide. At a visit in February 2023, he shared about his career trajectory, his roles and responsibilities as a prolific media producer and his views on the current state of the media industry.

Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer Mike Jackson has spent his career elevating Black voices through his production company Get Lifted Film Co., which he co-founded in 2012 with music superstar John Legend. He’s known for such titles as “La La Land” and HBO’s “Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children.” Jackson made several visits to Moody College in 2022-23 as part of a lecture series he started called “Moody Media Diversity Conversation: Why Not Me?” He invited fellow producers, actors, comedians and friends to talk with students about diversity in the media and how to make a name for yourself in the industry.

Moody Media Diversity Conversation guests included actor Jay Ellis from the HBO show “Insecure,” comedian Robin Thede, creator of the “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” Diallo Riddle, creator of HBO’s “South Side,” and Stephen A. Smith, featured commentator and executive producer of ESPN’s “First Take” and analyst on NBA Countdown.