(cross-posted at Kickin it with CG and Clintonistas for Obama)

Unlike any other election cycle, the issues of race, gender, age, and class have dominated public and private conversations over the course of this election.

That is why on June 17th, The Women's Media Center, along with The White House Project and The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, brought together top national political observers and media professionals for an in-depth conversation about how the media creates and reflects public perceptions on presidential candidates. Speakers included:
-

• Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent, CNN
  
• Susan Carroll, Senior Scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics
  
• Callie Crossley, National Television and Radio Commentator and Program Manager, Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard
  
• William Douglas, White House Correspondent, McClatchy Washington Bureau
  
• Juan Gonzalez, Columnist, New York Daily News
  
• Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Director, Annenberg Public Policy Center
  
• Celinda Lake, Political strategist and President of Lake Research Partners
  
• Courtney Martin, Author and Columnist for The American Prospect Online
  
• Pamela Newkirk, Associate Professor of Journalism, New York University
  
• Geneva Overholser, Director of the School of Journalism at the University of Southern California
  
• Ron Walters, Professor of Government and Politics, University of Maryland
  
• Patricia J. Williams, Columnist, The Nation, and Professor of Law, Columbia University

Held June 17 in New York, "From Soundbites to Solutions" started a conversation that one can hope will continue through this election cycle, as the public, press and candidates grapple with tough issues of bias, identity and language.

Further information is available, including video of the conference.