credit: ashley nguyen
i’m jarrett hill, an artist, professor, and award-winning journalist. i’ve contributed to the new york times, npr, variety, nbc news, and cnn. i’m the co-author of the naacp image award-winning book historically black phrases: from “i ain’t one of your lil’ friends” to “who all gon’ be there?” (penguin random house/ten speed press) written with tre’vell anderson, the book explores and defines one of the most impactful elements of culture: black language; using humor, thoughtful analysis, and style. we embarked on a live game-show tour based on our book in early 2024, having just wrapped four successful seasons and 200 episodes of our hit series, fanti, one of apple podcasts’ first favorite shows of the year.
i’m a renowned host and broadcaster, commanding large stages in front of thousands and masterfully moderating intimate conversations. i’ve hosted live daily nationally syndicated radio, cable and local news, and streaming digital programming for more than 20 years.
until december 2023, i served as president of the national association of black journalists of los angeles (nabjla), a non-profit organization, across six years in leadership, first as vice president and then as president. i, with our all-volunteer team, redesigned the organization’s leadership structure, established a vision for the future, developed strategic partnerships with major media and national brands, while we produced frequent live events, conferences, and workshops strongly focusing on developing a culture of inclusive community, centering black journalists and media professionals. as president, i served as part of the founding of a coalition of leaders of journalist-serving organizations that formed to fight for press freedom legislation, alongside other local advocates and statewide groups. that bill would be signed into california law by governor gavin newsom in 2021, then-called senate bill 98. additionally, i’ve worked on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives advocating for black journalists and media, helping to bring freelance and full-time work for black journalists at some of the largest journalism outlets in the country, and with black and independent media. our los angeles chapter was professional chapter of the year, having doubled in size our years pre-pandemic. and when covid-19 hit us all, we sustained with our community throughout the pandemic and rebounded well returning to larger-scale, in-person community events afterward.
i’ve been an adjunct professor of journalism at the university of southern california (usc) since joining the faculty in december 2021, teaching graduate-level students at the annenberg school of communication and journalism. prior to becoming a professor, i’ve been a guest speaker and lecturer at university of california berkeley, columbia university, and medill, among others.
i’m the founder and chief trblmkr of trblmkng., encompassing my varied work as a multidisciplinary creative artist, entertainer, writer, designer, speaker & host, along with client-based media consulting. named in tribute to ideas about angelic troublemakers and good trouble of bayard rustin and john lewis, respectively. my clients have included, but are not limited to: cbs, starz, showtime, the cw, paramount+, warner bros., own: the oprah winfrey network, and various private and corporate clients.
and one more thing before we go, a little fun history: in 2016, i made global headlines and initiated an unexpected news cycle when i broke the scandal of michelle obama’s 2008 convention speech being plagiarized by melania trump at the 2016 republican national convention. “a media darling” is what the hollywood reporter said, not me. that was them. later that year i was named to the 2016 ebony power 100. and my parents bought all the issues of the magazine they could get.
i’m attending grad school at harvard divinity school in fall 2024, studying in the intersections of the black church, queer & transess. and i recently returned to standup comedy, so i hope to see you when i’m hittin a stage near you.🫶🏽✨