CEOs, entrepreneurs and entertainers in the independent programming, content and entertainment industries.
 
"They say America is a melting pot of diverse ideas and cultures," said VAA Chairman Julia Johnson. "However, current television programming fails to reflect diversity or opportunity for persons seeking improved variety in television programming."
To correct the situation, the VAA has been very involved in efforts to promote state and federal policies that encourage rapid and ubiquitous deployment and utilization of new and innovative video distribution platforms. These platforms will create new opportunities for minority entrepreneurs and more minority TV shows and channels and lower rates for cable TV consumers.

Johnson, the VAA team and several of the VAA member CEO’s have served as advocates before the United States Congress and state legislatures to pass legislation to bring fairness to the telecommunications industry. The legislative effort has included a variety of educational forums and one-on-one discussions with individual members of Congress and state and local policy makers across the country.  During the 2006 Congressional Session both  Chairman Stevens of the Senate Commerce Committee, as well as  Chairman Barton of the House Energy and Commerce Committee called upon Mrs. Johnson to testify  before their power congressional committees.

"We believe that TV viewers and cable customers should have more choices as to what type of programs they desire to watch.  Regulatory barriers that hinder competition, innovation and consumer choice should be eliminated. The people that pay for cable and other telecommunications services should have more TV and entertainment choices at lower prices.  Additionally, entrepreneurs should have a real opportunity to provide consumers with more quality programming choices,” Johnson explained.

 “At eight and half months pregnant, I continue to work on behalf of our members.  They inspire me with their passion, creativity and dedication.  It is an honor to work with these extraordinary people in our David vs. Goliath fight.  Let me provide you with a few examples: Nicholas Psaltos, the CEO of the Horror Channel is a brilliant entrepreneur who has a passion for providing consumers with extraordinarily exciting and trailblazing programming.  Doron Gorshein, CEO of America Channel, is dedicated to one of a kind family programming that highlights the best of America and Americans. Jose Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of the Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc. has created a national telecommunications network that fills the growing need for educational, instructional, informational and cultural programming for the Hispanic community.  Ken Solomon, Chairman & CEO of the Tennis Channel has created a 24-hour cable television network devoted to tennis and other racket sports.  The Tennis Channel notes there are ninety-one million people playing, watching or purchase of all new tennis players are minorities. It is important to take special note of the fact that CEO Broderick Byers of the Employment and Career Channel and CEO JC Watts, of the Black Television News Network (BTNN) are providing new networks that will empower and truly inform communities, particularly minority communities.

“We are deeply concerned with how we are often underrepresented and misrepresented on television news, said Black Television News Network CEO J.C. Watts. "The evening news often fails to accurately represent the diversity that exists within our communities."  For instances, homicides on African Americans decreased 33% over the past decade, the Pew Research Center found that the television news coverage of these homicides during that same period increased 473%.

At the Black Television News Network, a 24 hour black news channel our goal is to ensure African Americans are fairly and accurately portrayed, Watts continued. “African Americans are an economic powerhouse. We are America’s fastest growing economic community and the BTNN wants to ensure African American spokespersons are not marginalized to only sports and entertainment news coverage. At BTNN, we educate, empower, inform and inspire the African American Community."

African Americans produce 70% of the US increase in purchasing power. By 2015, the African American economy will be the 6th largest in the world. With 36 million people and 12 million households 2 out of every 3 dollars spent are minority dollars.  We have a tremendous buying power.

Congresswoman Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville says her constituents deserve better quality and more choices for their TV and entertainment services.  “Current television programming fails to reflect America’s diversity.  We now have an opportunity to provide a platform that will allow independent, emerging and minority networks the opportunity to provide our minority communities with more diversity and innovative television options.

 I want to ensure my constituents have every available opportunity for increased economic development as well as lower cable prices. Our communities can’t compete in today’s ever changing world if we don’t have the right tools”, said Congresswoman Corrine Brown.   Florida’s Congressional Black Caucus members Congresswoman Brown, Congressman Hastings and Congressman Meek all supported and voted for the congressional legislation. 

One of the main reasons why change in communications industry is necessary is constantly increasing cable TV prices. One way to prevent cable companies from regularly increasing their prices for services would be to increase competition by allowing other content providers to use fiber optics and broadband capabilities to distribute networks, channels and video programs. Competition will save consumers more than 107 billion in the next five years and increase broadband availability to minority and disadvantage communities.  Having affordable access to broadband technologies will give us the educational and entrepreneurial tools needed to overcome the many barriers we face on the path to success.

“In a capitalist economic system, our channel is very important and needs to be available to all Americans,” said Byers. The Employment and Career Channel bridges the gap by providing opportunities that might not otherwise exist. "We give people information and tools to help them find work, develop their careers and manage their working lifestyle.  If the industry would allow our channel to be broadcasted, the whole nation would benefit."
Congressman Bobby Rush, D-Chicago, co- sponsor of the Cope Act of 2006 also known as the Barton-Rush bill said "I am proud to be a part of an opportunity to improve video and television content for African-Americans, create greater consumer choice and increase diversity and ownership for all minorities".

"The passing of this bill will insure that minority communities benefit from economic development and other opportunities in the telecommunications industry, Congressman Bobby Rush, D-Chicago, explained.  In addition, this bill will provide a more even playing field, far TOO long; the industry has treated African American oriented programming with benign neglect.  

VAA Communications Director Paula Hoisington added, “On average, minorities spend more money than other ethnic groups on almost all telecommunications services. Minorities buy more premium TV channels like HBO and Showtime. Minorities, on average, buy more Pay-Per-View events like wrestling, boxing and concerts. Minorities purchase more high-speed Internet connections and minorities purchase more ring-tones and similar telephone services."

If other video distributors are allowed by Congress and state legislatures to distribute television shows, minorities would also benefit by being able to create, produce and view more minority-oriented TV programs.

A strong VAA supporter and advocate for economic empowerment for minorities is Dr. Randal Pinkett, President & CEO of BCT Partners and winner of NBC’s 2005 Donald Trump “The Apprentice”.  He has been a key player in numerous VAA efforts. “I support policies and legislation that will increase competition and opportunities for minorities in television” he said.  He added “I applaud Senator Ted Stevens, Chairman Joe Barton and Congressman Bobby Rush for having the courage to sponsor a bill that will open up cable markets and telephone company video platforms to African Americans and other communities”.

VAA Chairman Johnson emphasized that "There are several other African-American, Hispanic and independent networks that are available to consumers but are not being carried by cable franchises.
 
"If African-Americans and other telecommunications customers unite, we can change the video distribution industry," said Stacey Meaders, VAA Director of Consumer Affairs Programming and Outreach Executive . "Cable companies suggest that minorities need protection. That is far from the truth because we can protect ourselves. We just have to be smart buyers and use our economic television buying power effectively."

The Video Access Alliance has chosen to confront one of the most influential industries in the country about video distribution. The VAA believes that now is the time for video franchise reform.

Increased competition, improved diversity and lower television channel costs can benefit all Americans. Television viewers oftentimes pay more for cable television than they pay for medicine, school tuition or personal care items and this is not desirable.
The Video Access Alliance Team is equipped to address all of the issues related to communications industry improvement. Their diverse educational and professional backgrounds indicate their expertise and abilities to promote telecommunications fairness.

About the Ladies behind the Video Access Alliance Movement:

Julia Johnson serves as the Chairperson of the Video Access Alliance. Mrs. Johnson is a nationally recognized expert in regulatory public policy matters. Johnson’s vast experience includes:

Governor Lawton Chiles’ appointment of Mrs. Johnson to the Florida Public Service Commission for two consecutive terms from 1992-1999. She served as Chairman from 1997-1999. She also served as the State Chair of the Federal/State Joint Board on Universal Service which provided regulatory policy recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission on the deployment of telecommunications and universal service

support mechanisms bringing Internet access to schools and libraries across the nation.

In 1999, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Mrs. Johnson as the Chairperson of Florida ’s Internet Taskforce. In that capacity, she served as key advisor to Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature on issues related to free-market development and beneficial use of advanced communications networks and information technologies. 

In 1999-2001, Mrs. Johnson served as national spokesperson for NETCOMPETE NOW, an advocacy group that successfully focused on preventing government regulation of the deployment of broadband in numerous state and local jurisdictions.

In 2003, Mrs. Johnson was appointed by FCC Chairman Michael Powell as the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission Federal Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communication in the Digital Age.  The Diversity Committee makes reports and recommendations concerning the need for guidelines, incentives, regulations or other policy approaches to promote diversity and participation in the communications sector.  Under her leadership, the Committee held its first national diversity forum that attracted the participation of minority entrepreneurs and companies from across the county.
Mrs. Johnson holds a B.S. degree in Business Management and Juris Doctorate Degree from the University Of Florida College Of Law.  In addition to all of her professional responsibilities and demands, Mrs. Johnson’s greatest love comes from spending quality time with her husband, Joshua High, her stepdaughter Kristal High and successfully raising their two daughters Julia J. High and newborn Gloria J. High.

Ava Parker, a Board Member of the Video Access Alliance. Mrs. Parker is responsible for the oversight and administration of Linking Solutions, an organization that promotes communications connectivity for low income telephone users.  In this context, she developed a community-based campaign to educate low income consumers on the availability of Lifeline Assistance and Link Up Florida. The grass-roots campaign encourages non-profit community based organizations to join the campaign as Alliance Partners, participate in education/training sessions and assist their friends and neighbors with the applications process.

Mrs. Parker serves as the General Counsel for First Born

Church of the Living God, Inc. A Georgia base corporation that has churches in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania.  Additionally she serves as the General Counsel for the Eleventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church as such she represents the District and its 400 member churches in Florida and the Bahamas. Mrs. Parker is the former President of the Virgil Hawkins Bar Association the statewide association for African American lawyers.
She is a graduate of University of Florida School of Journalism and School of Law.  Ava is married to Reverend Victor Cole.

Paula Hoisington is the Communications Director of Video Access Alliance. Ms. Hoisington is a professional spokesperson and former runway model. She currently serves as a spokesperson for Video Access Alliance playing an integral role in developing the platform for dialogue with policy makers.

Ms. Hoisington’s professional career extends to over twenty five years in the field of Criminal Justice. Ms. Hoisington is an advocate of public service. She is known as a doer, visionary and strong independent voice on issues involving equality and social justice.  In the field of Criminal Justice Ms. Hoisington was a top African American Female Executive for the State of

Florida Department of Corrections where she was responsible for the oversight of all inmate services ranging from reception to release, Government/External Affairs and Community Corrections.  She is the recipient of numerous awards and is highly recognized and respected among her peers. She has the ability to see issues from a global perspective and seek solutions for the greater good rather than the individual.

Ms. Hoisington received her Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, from the University of Central Florida and Certification as a Public Manager from Florida State University and a National Auditor of Prisons for the American Correctional Association. She enjoys spending time with her two teenagers, Matthew and Morgan Hoisington and her fiancée Derwin Bradley.

Mrs. Stacey Meaders is the Director of Consumer Affairs Programming and Outreach Executive.  She is responsible for the overall planning and coordinating of the all public policy forums at which policy makers and consumer groups openly express their thoughts, ideas and opinions regarding issues facing the telecommunications and technology industries. She also is responsible for the recruitment of members.
Stacey is a graduate of Florida State University where she majored in Psychology and received a Masters in Consumer Sciences.  She is married to Harlis Meaders.

Shona Gorham is the Director of Human Resources for the Video Access Alliance.  Shona is responsible for the overall management and operations of the offices. She oversees travel arrangements, website maintenance and filing of annual reports.
Shona has extensive experience in both, the private sector and State Government. She worked with the state of Florida for 15 years, where she most recently worked in the Office of General Counsel of the Florida Department of Revenue for approximately three years.   In addition to managing the offices, Shona always looks forward to spending time her husband, Kevin Gorham and her two children, Ashley and Malcolm Atwell. 

Help the Video Access Alliance to pursue public policies to expand diversity in television programming and to educate government leaders on the national, state and local levels about why fairness is important for the future of our country and our community.
African-American and other minority business persons need your support in increasing the opportunities for independent video content providers that would like their channels and networks shown on television.

Visit the Video Access Alliance web site at www.videoaccessalliance.org or call the VAA staff members at 1-800-539-1470 to learn more about how you can get involved in lowering your cable television costs and getting more of the programs that you want to see aired on television.