Ernest Owens

Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Ernest Media Empire, LLC. He is the President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is the executive producer and host of the hit podcast “Ernestly Speaking!” and host of “On the Record with Ernest Owens” on WURD Radio. He’s the author of the book “The Case for Cancel Culture” (St. Martin’s Press), and the upcoming book “Divided We Stan” (Beacon Press) slated for release in 2027. As an openly Black gay journalist, he has made headlines for speaking frankly about intersectional issues in society regarding race, LGBTQIA issues, and pop culture. In 2018, he launched his growing media company that specializes in multimedia production, consulting, and communications.

An innovative millennial, Ernest has already become an emerging media mogul in his own right. He received his B.A. in communication from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He’s an adjunct professor at Community College of Philadelphia. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC, NPR, and other prominent media outlets. He serves on the boards of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Mid-Atlantic Chapter), Society of Professional Journalists Foundation, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Rho Chapter), along with also being a member of the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, the Podcast Academy, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the Online News Association.

He has earned countless honors, which includes landing on the 2025 Most Influential African Americans list by The Philadelphia Tribune, the 2023 City & State PA Pride Power 100 list, along with being a two-time Sigma Delta Chi Award winner from the Society of Professional Journalists, and other honors from Forbes, American Society of Magazine Editors, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, Pen & Pencil Club, and City & Regional Magazine Association. In 2022, he was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for his writing at Rolling Stone magazine. 

He can be found on Instagram, X, Threads, and other social media platforms at @MrErnestOwens & ernestowens.com.