On Thursday, October 31. 2024, Tansy McNulty and Emmanuel Moforlo of Cameroon American
Council’s (CAC ) African Immigrant Media Network were invited to a private White House Press
Room tour by Rodericka Applewhaite, Director of Black Media in the Biden Administration. This
action was a fulfilled promise by Rodericka and Yemisi Egbewole, Chief of Staff of the White House
Press Office during the Fall 2024 White House CAC Media Tour. Additionally the White House
hosted a roundtable with African immigrant media aimed at increasing the Biden Harris
Administration’s visibility to the diaspora ahead of President Biden December trip to Angola.
During the press room tour, Tansy and Emmanuel accessed behind-the-scenes details of the
current Administration’s media operations. They also inquired about President Biden’s upcoming
trip to Angola. Each CAC journalist anticipates additional information about the National Law
Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD), which has increased transparency in policing
complaints at the Federal level. NLEAD is a major positive step in reducing law enforcement’s
excessive force and building trust with African immigrant and African American communities. On
October 28th, CAC journalists attended the White House informational sharing details of the
statistical impact of NLEAD. Facilitated by Rodericka Applewhaite, Director of Black Media, Neera
Tanden, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden and Stephen K. Benjamin, Assistant to the
President, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Public Engagement, the White House
addressed media concerns and tasked attendees with sharing NLEAD details with their respective
communities.
Rodericka Applewhaite, White House Director of Black
Media (left)
Sylvie Qwasinwi Ngassa Bello, CAC’s African Immigrant
Media Network, Founder and CEO (right)
Emmanuel Moforlo, CAC’s African Immigrant Media Network, Journalist, (left)
Tansy McNulty, CAC’s African Immigrant Media Network, Journalist, (right)
