Black Men in the Media: Sean Yoes
 As a newspaper journalist, a radio show host and an aspiring filmmaker Sean Yoes represents a media triple threat and a major threat to all negative sterotypes of Black men.
His first professional writing job came in 1989 when he was hired as a
reporter for the Baltimore AFRO-American Newspaper, one of the oldest
and most prestigious Black newspapers in the United States. He would
leave the AFRO after one year only to return 10 years later (he is
currently employed at the AFRO as a Senior Reporter).
During the ten years between his first and current stint with the
historic publication Yoes was employed as a freelance journalist for the
Detroit News, a television writer for WDIV-TV (NBC affiliate in
Detroit), WJZ-TV in Baltimore and a television producer for WMAR-TV in
Baltimore.
While working as a journalist Yoes also played an important role in
Baltimore's cultural community as one of the city's premier
poets/performance artists. And later he became co-owner of one of the
most important cultural hubs in the city, the infamous "Last Cafe."
In 1997 Yoes established his production company "Black River
Productions," Inc. when he completed his first screenplay, "The
Defender." In 1998 he wrote, produced and directed a documentary about
the making of the movie the Defender (a novel and/or unique approach
since the movie has not been made yet, and plans to release it in the
Summer of 2000).
And Yoes returned to his "AFRO roots" in 1999 where he currently works.
In conjunction with his role as Senior Reporter he is the host of the
very popular radio show, "WEAA/AFRO First Edition News."
Although his professional persuits and aspirations are very important to
Yoes, his commitment to his community, specifically children is just as
important.
He mentors young men on an ongoing basis who have entered the Department
of Juevenille Justice and frequently speaks to children in the Baltimore
City Public School System.
Yoes also plans to establish a summer camp for middle school age
children called, "Keep it Reel Film Academy" which will teach kids how
to make movies. And Yoes also has a children's book in the works done in
conjunction with the children of the New Mark of Excellence School in
Baltimore County.
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