Since summer 2010, HRBMP has deployed its members to challenged schools and communities to inspire children, from elementary through high school age, to stay in school. During the sessions, HRBMP members talk about their media careers in hopes of also inspiring children to one day consider entering the media profession.

* November 2010 – HRBMP worked as a partner with the Urban League of Hampton Roads in the production of the Urban League’s Empowerment event featuring journalist Roland Martin. The event, held at the Raddison Hotel in downtown Norfolk, drew about 300 people, including politicians, educators, media luminaries, ordinary citizens and others. The event challenged participants to make positive changes in their communities.

* November 2010 -  HRBMP welcomed a delegation from Tema, Ghana at a dinner function hosted by Norfolk State University. Tema became Norfolk’s official twin city last year. HRBMP members gave the delegates an insight into Hampton Roads’ local media and Tema delegates shared information about their media at home.

* February 2011 – HRBMP hosted an education town hall in Newport News at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. The event drew more than 80 people and featured education leaders, community activists, parents and others from around Hampton Roads. Participants spoke on the topic of children dropping out of school and sought solutions to the problem.

* April 2011 -  HRBMP members participated as extras, with lines!, in the Virginia Stage Company’s production of August Wilson’s Radio Golf. This was a professional theater production.

* May 2011 -  HRBMP hosted a celebration at a local California Pizza Kitchen for its college scholarship winners this year.

* November 2011 – HRBMP hosted a media coverage town hall in Norfolk at Nauticus. Called, “Let’s Talk: The Media, Diverse Coverage and You,” the event drew about 70 participants who shared their concerns about diversity in local media coverage. A panel of HRBMP members gave them tips on how to contact the media to get their stories told.

In addition to the special events, HRBMP has held many monthly meetings featuring professional development sessions and great guest speakers. At the meetings, members have learned how to get a freelance career going, have received insight into the workings of the black press and learned how to work their smartphones, among many other things.