Tuesday, April 28, 2026 – 5pm PT/8pm ET

Join us for a thoughtful discussion of Preschool Clues by Angela Santomero, which lays out eleven research-backed “clues” to promote preschoolers’ social, emotional, and academic success. We’ll explore the book’s core insights on social-emotional learning, intentional storytelling, and the science behind what truly engages preschool audiences. Hosted and moderated by CMA Book Club Coordinator Cathryn Asip.

We’re keeping the conversation going.

After an inspiring Creator Lab with Nick Reid, we’re diving even deeper—this time focusing on the small shifts that can make a big impact.

Join YouTube expert Marley Diazdelvalle for a tactical session designed to uncover the tips and tricks that often go unnoticed—but can seriously elevate your content and reach. From subtle strategy tweaks to under-the-radar best practices, this Creator Lab is all about working smarter, not harder.Because sometimes, it’s the smallest changes that drive the biggest growth.

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MARLEY DIAZDELVALLE BIO

Marley Diazdelvalle is a New York–based creator with experience on both sides of the YouTube industry, having worked behind the scenes at Frederator Networks and Walt Disney Studios, as well as on-camera as part of the creator-owned channel Toonuki Lab. This dual perspective shapes his approach to content creation and community building.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marley-diazdelvalle-b0713178/

Join CMA for an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow members in a more intimate setting centered around tenure and experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there is a group for you! These are casual exploration groups, perfect for finding peers in your career stage.

Mid career: (5+ years) For those with substantial experience who are established in their career and looking to advance or pivot who are not in senior leadership roles.

Join the CMA Bay Area for a moderated discussion on the opportunities and challenges AI presents to the children’s media industry. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already deep in experimentation, we want your voice in the conversation. This event is open to CMA members and students. Refreshments and beverages will be served.

Location
Infinity San Francisco
Club Lounge
333 Main Street
San Francisco

Transportation
The venue is easily accessible via BART, Muni, and the SF Bay Ferry. Street parking is also available. There are also multiple parking lots in the area, if needed. Please allow extra time for potential traffic and parking if you are driving.

Short-form content is changing the game, and the biggest brands in kids media are on board. Join CMA NY and WIANYC on Thursday, April 30, at SVA for Short-Form, Big Impact: How Top Brands Are Navigating Animated Digital Content.

This lively panel brings together creatives and executives behind today’s most successful animated digital content, including Vera Verba (Director of Content & Programming for YouTube Sesame Workshop), Monica Mazel (Production Manager at Cartuna), and Sammi WS Chan (Designer/Animator at Nickelodeon Digital Studio for Preschool).

From adapting long-form IP into short-form hits, to unpacking the production process behind digital-first animation, and to building stories for fast-moving platforms, we’ll explore how this space is evolving—and what it means for the future of animation. 

Please sign up by April 28 to guarantee entry with security, and stick around after the panel to mingle and connect with fellow attendees at a nearby bar.

VERA VERBA is the Director of Child Engagement at Sesame Workshop, where she leads content programming and strategy to connect with young audiences worldwide. Under her leadership the Sesame Street YouTube channel has skyrocketed from 3 million to nearly 30 million subscribers. Vera has forged partnerships with top children’s content creators across the world, expanding the brand’s reach and impact. Outside of work, she loves attending Broadway shows and is currently taking Spanish lessons.

SAMMI WS CHAN is a New York based Designer/ Animator at Nickelodeon Digital Studio for Preschool. She has worked on Nick Jr Youtube properties such as Blue’s Clues & You, Bossy Bear, Dora, Kid Cowboy, and more. Sammi provides graphics support ranging from character designs to motion graphics, to storyboards and animatics. In 2022, her team received the 26th Annual Webby Award for Viral Video on the animated music video “The Blue’s Clues Pride Parade Sing-Along”. In her free time, Sammi enjoys watching anime in Cantonese Dub, working on comics, and spending time with her turtles.

MONICA MAZEL is a Line Producer and Production Manager at Cartuna, where she has spent the past four years leading production on digital-first content for major global IP. Her work focuses on short-form, digital storytelling for platforms and brands including SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and McDonald’s. At Cartuna, she plays a key role in producing and managing projects that reimagine iconic franchises for modern audiences, overseeing production pipelines at every stage from development through delivery.

She began her career in live-action production, working across live broadcast and scripted television, with credits including Hamilton, the Tony Awards, and Orange Is the New Black. She was selected for the highly competitive NBCUniversal Page Program (Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers), before moving into branded content at USA Network and SYFY, where she developed campaigns in partnership with original series. She later transitioned into studio physical production, working as a production coordinator in the feature film departments at Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Studios, respectively. Across roles, her experience spans diverse production work, with a focus on building efficient pipelines, managing budgets and schedules, and fostering supportive team environments, all grounded in a deep appreciation for the collaborative and imaginative world of animation.

Authentic female representation benefits everyone. On May 4th, join CMA’s Research & Insights team for a riveting discussion with Madeline Di Nonno, president and CEO of the Geena Davis Institute, to discuss the power of authentic female representation. Together, we’ll unpack why it matters, explore what’s missing, and share insights to support more empowering and inclusive narratives!

Celebrate the arrival of spring with CMA’s first Drink & Draw! Join us at Lavender Lake in Williamsburg for an evening of mingling, sips, and painting, led by children’s media art director, illustrator, and creative producer, Stephanie Six. In this beginner-friendly and process-driven “Spring Floral Watercolor Workshop,” attendees will learn simple watercolor techniques to capture the rich colors and layered petals of spring flowers. No experience needed. Just come ready to create, connect, and have fun!

Stephanie Six is an art director, picture book illustrator, and creative producer. She’s developed original content for PBS Kids, reimagined the classic Colorforms toy line into a Netflix series, and partnered with brands like Apple+, Amazon, and Little Bee Books to bring thoughtful, beautifully designed stories to life. Her most recent projects include WonderPets: In the City! (Apple+), an unannounced Yoto project, and art for the upcoming book series Princess Penelope’s Purse of Proposterous Things (Loyola Press). You can see more of her work at stephaniesix.com.

Join CMA for an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow members in a more intimate setting centered around tenure and experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there is a group for you! These are casual exploration groups, perfect for finding peers in your career stage.

Senior/Executive: (10+ years) Designed for senior leaders and executive level professionals.

📢 IMPORTANT: Please register via our partner site to secure your spot.

Join us for a fun, relaxed social mixer and presentation celebrating the amazing Asian creators, writers, and producers shaping the world of children’s media! This gathering will connect industry pros (children’s book illustrator and designer Eugenia Yoh of Chronicle Books, storyboard artist Nira Liu of Pixar Animation Studios, and toy entrepreneur Elenor Mak of Jilly Bing) with local community to chat about storytelling, innovation, and Asian representation in kids’ content. 

This event is co-presented by the Children’s Media Association Bay Area Chapter and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. It is free to attend, but registration is requested. Refreshments will be provided.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Eugenia Yoh is a Taiwanese-American author-illustrator in the Bay Area. She is a children’s book designer at Chronicle Books during the day and a children’s book illustrator during the night. Her first book, This Is Not My Home (Little, Brown 2023), is a love letter to Taiwan, and her second book What If We… (Little, Brown 2025), tells the story of two siblings who bond during an imaginative summer. With more picture books lined up, she hopes to continue telling stories with heart and humor. She enjoys soup, Japanese fiction novels, bananagrams, the Chinese yoyo and occasional folk-dancing. You can find her online at www.eugeniayoh.com.

Nira Liu is a filmmaker, comic artist, story lead, and bathroom rapper. He began his career as an intern at Blue Sky studios in 2015, and is now a lead storyboard artist at Pixar Animation Studios. His recent credits include Onward, Turning Red, Elemental (2023), Win or Lose (2025), and Hoppers(2026). Nira spent his early childhood in his great motherland of China and moved to the US as a teenager. In elementary school, he would stare out the window and dream of turning into Ultraman and fighting different alien kaiju. In middle school, he dreamed of becoming an underground rapper who had Jay-Z rapping hooks for him. Fortunately, those two passions didn’t work out, so now he has a career of telling whacky humorous stories with his drawings/writing. He enjoys telling gentle stories that make people feel less alone in this world. You can find Nira on Instagram @niradrawdrawdraaw.

Elenor Mak is the founder and CEO of Jilly Bing, a toy company creating dolls that reflect Asian American children. The idea started when she searched for her daughter’s first doll and didn’t see anything that felt right, so she decided to build it herself. Elenor and Jilly Bing have been featured on the Today Show, Forbes, Entrepreneur, CBS Mornings, and NextShark. Previously, Elenor co-founded Keaton Row, an e-commerce fashion company, and led go-to-market strategy for Target’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence team. She later joined Madison Reed, where she helped expand retail and open flagship locations on both coasts. Elenor holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree in economics from Dartmouth. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and two children. You can find her online at jillybing.com.

Digital-first formats and emerging platforms are changing today’s writing landscape as the industry continues to shift away from traditional long-form storytelling. Join CMA NY and WGAE on Thursday, May 14 for a dynamic panel featuring animation writers at the forefront of this evolution. From podcasts and YouTube to gaming and beyond, learn how they’re adapting, innovating, and thriving in this rapidly changing creative space.

Featuring: Alex Breen, Billy Lopez and Monique D. Hall!

Alex Breen

Alex Breen is an award-winning executive producer, writer and series creator with over 20 years’ industry experience as an innovator in the children’s media space. Since founding Breenscreen LLC in late 2023, his company creates, collaborates, and consults with clients and production partners to deliver high-quality, engaging, and impactful children’s TV, gaming, and digital media experiences, most recently with the popular Phoebe & Jay and City Island games suites on PBS KIDS. As the former VP of Interactive at 9 Story Media Group and digital lead at Out of the Blue Enterprises, he led the creation and distribution of over one hundred interactive games, activities, websites, and apps, including for Rosie’s Rules, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, Let’s Go Luna, Karma’s World, SUPER WHY!, Chuggington and the Colorforms toy brand. On the TV side, Alex is currently a series co-creator and writer for PBS KIDS’ upcoming literacy series Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures (premiering Fall 2026), co-created and developed the hit Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures shorts series, wrote and executive produced Netflix’s 3-part special Charlie’s Colorforms City: Mighty Movie Adventures, developed the Charlie’s Colorforms City series, and wrote the tentpole SUPER WHY! series episode Comic Book: Attack of the Eraser, which went on to play in movie theaters across the U.S. His other TV production credits include the Emmy-winning Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, SUPER WHY!, Charlie’s Colorforms City, Wishenpoof! and Creative Galaxy.

Billy Lopez

Billy Lopez is a three-time Emmy award-winning writer. He created, co-executive produced, wrote, and starred in the animated adventure-comedy Welcome to the Wayne (Nickelodeon), and has written on shows such as South Park, Phineas and Ferb, Sesame Street, Mystery Science Theater 3000. Billy’s also been head writer on award-winning children’s series like City Island, Peg + Cat, and The Wonder Pets, and was most recently series lyricist on the Apple TV show Wonder Pets: In the City. He’s currently adapting a best-selling video game into a musical for the stage. Billy lives in Brooklyn with his family.

Monique D. Hall

Monique D. Hall is an Emmy-winning, Jamaican-American TV writer from New Jersey. As a storyteller for young audiences and families, her words have been brought to life by humans, animated characters, and puppets alike. In addition to writing on Sesame Street, for which she won a 2023 Emmy Award and was nominated for a 2026 NAACP Image Award, Monique currently serves as Executive Producer and Head Writer on the second season of the PBS Kids series Lyla in the Loop.

Monique was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room Fellowship. She has a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and she studied Human Development, along with Film and Creative Writing, at Cornell University.

Finally, a trivia night where knowing every line of Bluey actually pays off.

It’s Children’s Media Trivia Night, and we’ve got a very special host: Creative Producer, Live Experience Designer, and Nerd Nite’s very own Nicholas Peters is running the show. Come for the laughs, stay for the industry connections, and absolutely flex your kids’ media knowledge in a room full of people who will respect you for it.

Join us at our monthly CMA mixer in North Hollywood for a night of connection, conversation, and creative spark with the passionate creators shaping the future of kids and family content.

CMA Members, Volunteers, and Mentors: your first drink is on us. Grab a glass. Let’s get nerdy.

Monday, May 18th, 6:30-9:30 pm.

Lawless Brewing Company

5275 Craner Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Join CMA for an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow members in a more intimate setting centered around tenure and experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there is a group for you! These are casual exploration groups, perfect for finding peers in your career stage.

Early Career (0-5 years) – For those in the first 5 years of their career looking to build foundational skills and experience.

Balancing a creative career in children’s media while showing up for family, caregiving, or the everyday demands of life isn’t easy—and it’s rarely talked about honestly. Creating in the In-Between is a space for CMA writers, producers, and creatives who are building their work in the margins of their day—between school drop-offs, deadlines, caregiving, or simply the realities of life outside the industry.

This session blends light structure with real connection. Come to get insight on your work from fellow creators, share what you’re navigating, and connect with others who understand the rhythm of creating when time and energy aren’t always on your side.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 – 5pm PT/8pm ET

In this revised edition of their 2003 parenting guide, Einstein Never Used Flashcards, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, and Diane Eyer explain the important ways in which play can shape children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. In this month’s book club discussion, we’ll think about these learnings in the context of television, interactive, and other kids’ media – and how we can all encourage meaningful play opportunities for our audiences. Moderated by CMA Book Club Coordinator Cathryn Asip.

Join us for some great networking and light bites! RSVP for entry. Members FREE!

American Whiskey

247 W 30th St

New York, NY 10001