BET Sets Special On Kidnapped Nigerian Girls

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

The recent kidnapping of 300 Nigerian school girls will be the focus of a BET Town Hall forum to air this Friday.

The May 23 special, Stolen Innocence: Your Daughters Are Our Daughters will focus on the kidnappings and the global response to the crises, as well as the rising exploration of children around the world, the network said Tuesday. Moderated by Lola Ogunnaike and Marc Lamont Hill, the one-hour special will also feature panelists such as actresses Nicole Ari Parker and Tasha Smith; attorney Ony Nwaohuocha; American Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce Emelia Orubele; singer India Arie and minister Dr. Bernice King.

BET and upstart news and entertainment network Arise Tv will also have reporter Charles Aniagolu on the ground in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, to provide an update on the recent kidnappings.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.