The Allison Miner Series is an initiative of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation Archive to highlight research, scholarship, and projects that utilize the historic collection.

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Allison Miner was a dedicated advocate for New Orleans music and culture, known for her significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of the city’s musical heritage. She played a key role in the establishment and development of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and its Archive. Her passion and commitment to supporting local musicians and cultural traditions have left a lasting impact on the community. The Allison Miner Lecture Series was created to underscore the work of recipients of the Jazz & Heritage Fellowship Research Grants.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Creating Identities and Building Reputation: Jazz & Heritage and The Press

In 2016, Dr. Summerall-Jabro conducted an in-depth examination of Jazz Fest’s first decade of press coverage—a pivotal era from 1970 to 1979 when the festival’s rapid rise sparked harmony and discord across New Orleans. During this period, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation evolved from principally serving as Jazz Fest’s fiduciary into a driving force for community engagement. This shift laid the foundation for the very first Community Partnership Grants, marking a new chapter in the Foundation’s mission. Through the lens of PR and marketing, Dr. Summerall-Jabro will uncover how storytelling and strategy shaped Jazz Fest’s early identity and enduring legacy.

This presentation is led by Ann D. Summerall-Jabro, PhD, University Professor of Communication and Organizational Leadership in the School of Communication and Media at Robert Morris University. Her research interests include public relations history, community building, and diversity in media and organizational cultures.  Her publications focus on teaching with technology, enhancement of students’ knowledge and application of artificial intelligence, technical and stackable skills, critical thinking abilities for problem-solving and decision-making to excel in tomorrow’s workforce, leadership in virtual teams, risk and crisis communication practices, and procedures across diverse environments. Recognized for cutting edge pedagogy as a recipient of multiple teaching awards, Dr. Jabro is expert in experiential and problem-based learning and promotes portfolio-based instruction in her graduate and undergraduate courses in theory, research methods, public relations global practices, social media, and reputation management.