Think Before You Click: How Teens Can Build a Better Digital World
Top Teens of America: 51st Area V Leadership Conference
Sponsored by Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.
Cleveland, OH
Think Before You Click: How Teens Can Build a Better Digital World focused on helping young people develop the skills they need to use technology responsibly and thoughtfully.
Today’s teens spend much of their time online, where misinformation, harmful stereotypes, and discriminatory content are increasingly common. Many of the social challenges older generations faced in schools, workplaces, and public life are now appearing in digital spaces. As the next generation of leaders, professionals, and decision-makers, teens must learn how to recognize these issues and respond to them wisely.
This session emphasized preparation rather than fear. Instead of warning teens away from technology, it taught them how to think critically, verify information, and make informed choices before sharing or engaging with content online.
Topics included: the power of social media; what media literacy is (and why it matters); how information spreads and gets distorted; evaluating what you see before you click; and ethics, bias, and accountability online.
The State of Media Literacy Education: Empowering Educators & Providing Resources for Effective Media Literacy
OHIO TECH DAY: Welcome to the Future of Education
Cleveland, OH
On September 26, 2025, I presented at Ohio Tech Day: Welcome to the Future of Education at the Cleveland Public Library’s Main Campus. The day kicked off with tours of TechCentral, Studio 525, and the Makerspace—spaces that show what’s possible when technology, creativity, and community come together.
My session, Empowering Educators & Providing Resources for Effective Media Literacy, focused on what educators actually need right now—not theory for theory’s sake, but tools they can use. I walked through key insights from the 2024 NAMLE study and shared practical resources from the News Literacy Project.
The reality is this: 94% of teens believe media literacy should be required, but only 39% say they’re actually learning it. That gap is a problem—and an opportunity.
We got into strategies like the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace) and platforms like Checkology to help students evaluate information without becoming overwhelmed or disengaged. I also addressed the real challenges educators are navigating—from misinformation to access gaps—especially here in Ohio, where literacy disparities are still a concern.
The goal was simple: give educators tools they can walk away and use immediately to build critical thinking, strengthen civic awareness, and better prepare students for the digital world they’re already living in.
I also had the opportunity to moderate the closing panel, Beyond the Classroom: A Community Conversation About Readiness and Resilience in a Tech-Driven World, where we explored how communities—not just schools—play a role in shaping digital readiness.
The Future of Education
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 50th Annual Convention & Career Fair
Cleveland, OH
Presented at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 50th Annual Convention & Career Fair in Cleveland, OH, Monique moderated a critical panel discussion examining news literacy challenges within Black communities. Drawing on the 2024 National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) report, the session explored how media literacy—encompassing news, digital, information, and critical literacy—manifests in news consumption experiences for Black audiences who have historically faced limited access to trusted news sources.
The panel brought together scholars from across Ohio—Dr. Osei Appiah (The Ohio State University), Dr. Tara Conley (Kent State University), Dr. Adrienne J. Gosselin (Cleveland State University), and Dr. Franceska Jones (Jones Consulting Firm)—to address pressing questions about misinformation targeting Black communities, systemic barriers in media literacy education, and the implications of legislative restrictions like Ohio’s Senate Bill 1 on teaching critical inquiry about race and media representation.
Key discussion themes included the challenges educators face in under-resourced Black neighborhoods, the lack of diversity among media literacy educators (over 80% identify as white), strategies for incorporating culturally relevant resources like Black-led journalism, and successful grassroots and digital practices for combating misinformation. The session emphasized the urgent need for sustainable, community-centered approaches to news literacy that empower Black audiences to critically evaluate media while navigating systemic misrepresentation.
“Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Retail Vendors”
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
Virtual
Monique was invited by the Women’s Business Development Center to serve as a Digital Marketing subject matter expert for vendors in the Brookfield and Berwyn Shops retail incubators. This virtual session focused on foundational marketing strategies, with an emphasis on promoting products online, building brand awareness, and engaging customers through digital channels.
Hosted by Maura Mitchell, Managing Director of Entrepreneurial Programs at WBDC, the session offered actionable guidance to help small business owners succeed in today’s digital marketplace.
Through Her Eyes Career Day: Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Greater Cleveland Chapter
Cleveland, OH
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Greater Cleveland Chapter, hosted Through Her Eyes: Career Day, an initiative designed to expose young girls to a range of career paths and leadership opportunities.
The event featured speakers from diverse professional backgrounds, including the judiciary, law, communications, public relations, and ministry. Students had the opportunity to hear directly from women leading in their respective fields and to engage in conversations about education, career journeys, leadership, and personal growth.
The program created space for participants to explore different professional paths while gaining insight into the experiences, challenges, and lessons that shape success across industries. The experience reinforced the value of early exposure and mentorship in helping young people envision their own futures with greater clarity and confidence.
Community Education Forum
“How to Advocate for Excellence in the Education of African American Children”
CLE Pearls – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® Great Lakes Region
Cleveland, OH
This empowering forum equipped community members with strategies and tools to advocate for educational equity among African American children. Co-keynote speaker Monique Wingard discussed models for advocacy, systemic challenges in education, and ways to create meaningful, community-rooted change.
CLE Pearls, an official interest group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., hosted the event at Third Space Action Lab with a focus on collective action and solution-oriented discussion.
Quarterly Social Media Bootcamp
“Rock Your Profile: LinkedIn Edition”
The Founding Moms
Virtual
Do you want to stand out on LinkedIn? An interactive workshop that maximizes your LinkedIn account as an entrepreneur. Attendees learn how to develop a robust LinkedIn profile that will get you noticed!
The Founding Moms® is a global collective of offline masterminds and online resources where mom entrepreneurs can exchange, connect, and learn from one another. Additionally, The Founding Moms® provides the most comprehensive online and offline resources for mom entrepreneurs seeking a deep dive into marketing, branding, and sales to build better businesses.
Spring Work and Life Skills Boot Camp “Technology on a Need to Know Basis”
Associated Colleges of Illinois
Virtual
What are the key programs young professionals should know when they launch their careers? “Technology on a Need to Know Basis” is a review of the most common software and how it’s used on the job.
ACI’s Boot camps help equip students to meet employers’ expectations and build rewarding lives and careers. Offered on ACI campuses, these sessions give students a leg up on successful job searches, networking, interviewing, workplace performance, and personal finance management.
stEMPOWER Panel
The University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
The stEMPOWER Her Festival is a post-show event at Court Theatre, a performing arts company affiliated with the University of Chicago, where both student involvement and the participation of the surrounding South Side community is encouraged. The stEMPOWER HER Panel featured African-American female professionals in STEM in the Chicago area.
Case Western Reserve University
Chicago Alumni Chapter: Women in Leadership
Chicago, IL
Moderated by Hilary Mohs, a panel discussion providing insight into women’s leadership and the issues facing women leaders in the workplace.
Church Organization: Technology and Social Media
McCormick Theological Seminary
Chicago, IL
Under the advisement of Dr. Cheryl L. Price, Monique was invited to guest lecture at McCormick Theological Seminary on the role of digital tools in ministry. This interactive session explored how faith-based organizations can strategically leverage technology and social media to strengthen outreach, engage congregations, and amplify their mission. She shared practical tools and best practices tailored for churches and nonprofit leaders navigating today’s digital landscape.
Ladies That Lead Conference
Google Headquarters
Chicago, IL
The Ladies That Lead Conference is a multi-day event hosted by The BOSS Network, which highlights influential women of color who can inspire other women by sharing their strategies and journey to success. These distinguished women are leaders in their industry and community by setting a standard for what success looks like and owning their power.
R-Ladies: “R-You LinkedIn SAVVY?”
Uptake
Chicago, IL
R-Ladies Chicago was founded in July 2017 with the goal of supporting women and gender minorities who use R. The group includes data scientists, career transitioners, academic researchers, industry experts, students, interested individuals, and others.
Past R-Ladies events have included R workshops, career panels, networking events, and talks from package developers.
“Are You LinkedIn SAVVY” focused on providing actionable steps for job-seekers, career-changers, and entrepreneurs.
FWD Collective Summit–Lightning Talk:
“Becoming a Social Entrepreneur”
mHUB
Chicago, IL
A one-day summit dedicated to discussions on professional inclusion, business development, venture capital, and building teams. FWD Collective is a collective dedicated to professional inclusion, hosting summits internationally featuring women, P.O.C., and other underrepresented communities, and connecting emerging entrepreneurs with established business professionals.
“Becoming a Social Entrepreneur” follows my journey from Ohio to every other city, and the title” acquired along the way. During the presentation, I uncovered every lesson learned along the way, including “There is a difference between any opportunity and the right opportunity.”
Design for America Leadership Studio:
“Ethics of Social Innovation”
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
A panel discussion on “Ethics of Social Innovation” at Design for America’s Leadership Studio. The conference theme focused on student empowerment and challenged students to use human-centered design to help Chicago-area high school students shape their lives and communities. Design for America (DFA) is a grass-roots, student-led network that began at Northwestern in 2009.
Entrepreneurial Journeys:
Black Women Activating Tech
Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation
Chicago, IL
In 2017, Nielsen reported that Black women are not only leading influencers across the economy, media, and politics, but they are also the fastest-growing group of female entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial Journeys: Black Women Activating Tech centered on the personal journeys and pivotal leap of faith required to join the ranks of women founders in tech, while highlighting key pathways for growth within Chicago’s evolving tech ecosystem and beyond.
The conversation was presented as part of a broader speaker series sponsored by Chi Hack Night in collaboration with City Tech, which aimed to elevate the voices and experiences of women shaping the civic technology space.
ACT-W Conference
“Rock Your LinkedIn Profile”
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
A workshop that reviews best practices for utilizing LinkedIn as a job-seeker.
ACT-W events and conferences are powered by ChickTech, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering diversity in the technology workforce and increasing the number of womxn and girls pursuing tech-based careers. ChickTech is the nation’s leading nonprofit in growing and retaining the number of womxn and girls in technology. ACT-W events and conferences bring together talented tech womxn and allies, from beginning programmers to senior developers, to C-suite executives.
The Black Women’s Expo
“Black Women in Tech”
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
The Black Women’s Expo is the nation’s foremost exposition targeting the African American consumer market. It is a weekend that empowers, enlightens and uplifts African American women and their families with informative seminars and panel discussions presented by notable local and national speakers and lecturers, educational exhibits and corporate displays, and rousing entertainment. Historically, the standing-room-only seminars have addressed such issues as health & wellness, racial equality, hair & beauty, travel, career advancement, business/entrepreneurship, the welfare of our children and much more.
Startup Institute:
Alumni Career Panel
1871
Chicago, IL
What is startup culture? What skills are needed to succeed as a “startupreneur” or independent consultant in tech? What should be your first step towards landing a job and ultimately a career you are passionate about? A career panel featuring alumni of Startup Institute who have embarked on the journey of being an entrepreneur, team member, or startup founder.
From Quarters to Semesters to Online: The Organic Digital Evolution of a Production Intensive Undergraduate Course at Ohio University
Broadcast Education Association Annual Convention
Las Vegas, NV
What business does a University in rural Appalachia have in moving a production-intensive course online? As it turns out, quite a lot. This Panel will discuss this revolutionary migration of an undergraduate production course from a large-lecture to a hybrid-digital space using custom video lectures and materials, four former graduate students (and current industry professionals) from across the globe as course facilitators, and a new way of conceptualizing e-learning and student feedback.
Monique Wingard 
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