2026 Philadelphia Creators Summit

The conversation kicks off with remarks from:

• Jim Friedlich, the Executive Director and CEO of The Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
• Shawn Mooring, Head of Philadelphia Programs at The Lenfest Institute, where he leads grantmaking and programs for publishers across the city, including the Philadelphia News Creators Network.
• Will Toms, co-founder of REC Philly and co-director of the Philadelphia News Creators Network. 
• Jos Duncan-Ase, founder, executive producer, and publisher of Love Now Media and co-director of the Philadelphia News Creators Network. She has led the Philadelphia Media Founders Exchange since its inception and serves as the host for the 2026 Philadelphia Creators Summit.

The summit opens with the public debut of work from four 2026 Philadelphia News Creators Network fellow teams, each of which spent four months building and testing a creator-newsroom collaboration rooted in their community:

• Green Philly (Brou Quinn and Terrill Haigler) engaged younger Philadelphia audiences through relatable sustainability stories rooted in the city’s food scene and everyday waste management challenges.
• Technical.ly (Stephanie Humphrey and Chelsea Cox) examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping work, governance, and daily life in Philadelphia.
• Resolve Philly (Elaine Johnson and Alisha Miranda) distributed essential civic information through trusted community networks, including mothers and hospitality workers, ensuring critical news reaches people through channels where trust already exists.
• Inti Media (Miguel Dalmau and Debora Reaves Charmelus) reached younger BIPOC audiences through social media and community-centered storytelling focused on civic participation, elections, and Afro Latine culture.

Featured presentation from Dave Silver, the co-founder of REC Philly, Philadelphia’s premier creative hub and music incubator for emerging artists and entrepreneurs. A Temple University alumnus, Silver has spent more than a decade building the kind of brand partnerships, community infrastructure, and sponsorship relationships that have made REC Philly one of the most respected creative institutions in the region. He is also the founder of Amplify Philly, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting Philadelphia’s creative community.

A panel discussion featuring:

• Portia Fullard, Executive Director of the Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust and the founder of MOV Solutions, a strategic consulting firm supporting mission-driven organizations. A lifelong Philadelphian and Temple University alumna, Fullard is also the community engagement consultant for the Lenfest Institute’s Every Voice, Every Vote initiative, one of the largest collaborative journalism and civic engagement efforts ever launched in Philadelphia.
• Jacen Bowman, Associate Director of Digital Communications and Creative Strategy at Human Rights Campaign and Executive Director of Philadelphia Black Pride.
• Chelsea Cox, Every Voice, Every Vote social media ambassador and Philadelphia News Creator Network member
• Elaine Johnson, Every Voice, Every Vote social media ambassador and Philadelphia News Creator Network member

Attendees will be able to choose two of the following breakout sessions:

• Leveling up with AI with Kris Krug, digital media strategist, photographer, and AI workflow specialist who has worked at the intersection of technology and storytelling for more than two decades. He serves as the AI coach for the 2026 Philadelphia News Creators Network, helping news creators build ethical, efficient, and effective AI-assisted workflows.
• Biz Dev 101 with DelDelp Medina, a business development strategist who will equip creators with the foundational business skills and deal-making frameworks needed to grow their organizations and revenue.
• The Art of Grant Writing with Marissa Lewis, a grant writing and fiscal sponsorship expert whose workshops help participants successfully secure foundation funding and institutional grants.
• Data and Analytics for Creators with Antionette Minor Talley, a digital strategy and analytics expert who serves as the data and analytics advisor for the 2026 Philadelphia News Creators Network. Her work helps news creators understand and act on audience data to build stronger, more sustainable content strategies.
• YouTube Monetization with Krishna Mahtani, YouTube’s News Partnerships Manager, who will present an overview of YouTube monetization options, including specific examples for news partners and creators.
• Ask an Attorney with Douglas Panzer, a media and entertainment attorney who will provide attendees with direct access to legal guidance on contracts, intellectual property, business structure, and creator rights.

Featured presentation from David Shands, an entrepreneur, podcaster, and community builder best known as the founder of The Morning Meetup, a membership-driven entrepreneurship community that convenes hundreds of founders daily, and the Social Proof Podcast, one of the country’s most listened-to business podcasts. He is also the founder of the Podcast Summit, which has grown from 750 attendees in its debut year to projections of 2,500 to 3,000 in 2026.

Closing keynote featuring:

Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT and Offscript Worldwide, one of the most prominent and influential figures in Black media and the creator economy. Under his leadership, REVOLT has grown to reach more than 50 million Millennial and Gen Z viewers. Named TV Executive of the Year by Digiday and a Trailblazer in Media by 100 Black Men of New York, Samuels is also an Amazon best-selling author and a Stanford and Duke University alumnus.

Will Toms, co-founder of REC Philly and co-director of the Philadelphia News Creators Network. 

Close out the day with your fellow attendees with a networking session from 5-7!