Adrienne Roark And Akili Franklin Join Kneeland Project Board

The Carole Kneeland Project announced that Adrienne Roark, president of content development and integration for CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures, and Akili Franklin, director of news management recruitment for Hearst Television, were elected to and will join the Kneeland Project board of directors. Both executives are former Kneeland fellows and will bring their unique experiences to the nonprofit’s board.

The Carole Kneeland Project — named after a legendary Austin, Texas, news director who exemplified ethical leadership and responsible journalism — marked its 25th anniversary last year.

Adrienne Roark

Adrienne Roark leads content strategy and integration for CBS News and Stations, and CBS Media Ventures, while overseeing several East Coast CBS-owned stations and the CBS Local News Innovation Lab. She brings a special connection to Kneeland as this is a homecoming for her; she attended the first conference in 1998.

“I was fortunate to attend the first seminar 26 years ago, and it was an inspiring hands-on learning experience,” Roark said. “Numerous takeaways served as building blocks throughout my career in news, such as the fundamental importance of balance, and what it means to be an empathetic and collaborative leader. It is an honor to return to Kneeland and join this incredible board, which continues to guide the direction, future, and success of the Kneeland Project.”

Akili Franklin

Akili Franklin attended Kneeland in 2016, when she was news director for Hearst Television’s WDSU New Orleans. In her current role, she oversees the Fred Young Hearst Television Producing Fellowship program and identifies top managers for all of Heart Television’s news operations with an eye toward building newsroom leaders of the future.

“I am excited to join the board of this extraordinary organization,” Franklin said. “When I attended Kneeland, I thought it was by far the best training and experience I could have received as a news director. The insight and knowledge I gained have benefited me and my newsrooms every year since.”

“We elected board members who share our passion for the Kneeland Project and who will help us instill in local TV news leaders the values, ethics, and fundamentals that are so key to Carole’s legacy,” said Board President and 2006 fellow Michael Fabac. “We are thrilled to welcome Akili and Adrienne to the team, and appreciate Hearst Television and CBS News and Stations for its help ensuring a bright future for the nonprofit.”