Mark S. Luckie is a digital strategist, former journalist, and author of “The Digital Journalist's Handbook,” and the novels “DO U.” and “Valley Girls.” Mark currently serves as the Director of Digital Strategy at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He has led media partnerships for some of the most influential social platforms in the world, including Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit. Mark has also led digital initiatives for the Washington Post, the Center for Investigative Reporting, The Los Angeles Times, and Entertainment Weekly. Mark is a GLAAD Media Award nominee, a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and a part of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for Local Reporting. He was named by The Root as one of the most influential African-Americans of 2013 and 2014. Mark is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University and the University of California, Berkeley where he received his master's degree in journalism.
work experience
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Director of Digital Strategy
May 2021 - Present
Digital Strategist
Tech & Diversity Consultant
November 2016 - May 2021
Facebook, Inc.
Manager, Global Influencers
October 2017 - November 2018
Reddit, Inc.
Head of Journalism and Media
February 2016 - October 2016
Twitter, Inc.
Manager of Journalism & News
June 2012 - May 2015
The Washington Post
National Innovations Editor
August 2010 - June 2012
Center for Investigative Reporting
Multimedia Producer
June 2009 - August 2010
Entertainment Weekly
Online Producer
August 2007 - December 2008
Los Angeles Times
Intern/Online Producer
May 2007 - August 2007
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Staff Writer
January 2004 - August 2005
education
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
M.J. Journalism, new media concentration
May 2007
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications
May 2005
Founder/Creator
Valley Girls (2021)
Novel about the questionable mechanics of Silicon Valley and the women who push through them.
Sumeria (2018)
Scripted sci-fi podcast that follows a group of interstellar travelers as they search for a new planet to call home.
Today in #BlackTwitter (2015)
The news stories, #hashtags, and people trending within the network of users.
DO U. (2015)
Novel about three students navigating life at a historically black college (HBCU).
The Digital Journalist’s Handbook (2012)
A guide to the tools necessary to thrive in a digital newsroom
10,000 Words (2007)
A digital resource that explored all things technology and journalism.
awards
• Fast Company “Brands That Matter” (2023)
• Shorty Impact Awards finalist - multiple categories (2022)
• Audio Verse Awards nominee: Writing of a New Audio Play Production; Action Sound Design in a New Production (2019)
• LinkedIn "Next Wave" Top Professionals (2016)
• Juror, Pulitzer Prizes: Breaking News (2015)
• The Root 100 Influential African-Americans (2013, 2014)
• UNCF Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2014)
• Pulitzer Prize finalist team, Local News Reporting (2012)
• The Grio.com's 100 History Makers in the Making (2011)
• "35 Influencers in Social Media," Poynter Institute (2010)
• Design for America Challenge winner, Sunlight Labs (2010)
• GLAAD Media Award nominee - Digital Journalism (2008)
• NLGJA Excellence in Student Journalism Award (2007)