NABJ Roundup Monthly Newsletter – May 2021
CNN Promotes Straight, Russ to VP Roles
05/12/2021
A Statement from the NABJ Board on Mayor Lightfoot’s Message to the Media
05/19/2021
President’s Corner: NABJ Calls for More Media Companies to Publicize Diversity Data
NABJ plays a critical role in this era of racial reckoning. We’ve been both public and private in our demand for more Black managers in decision-making positions. Our efforts have paid off. We’ve seen historic hires in broadcast, digital and print. The number of Black journalists promoted to positions of power also continues to grow across all platforms.
While we are pleased with the progress, we are far from satisfied. Our goal is to address the systemic issues that have led to pay inequity, racism, sexism, homophobia, and a culture that stifles Black voices in the newsroom.
One of the biggest challenges we face in making true change is access to information.
In order to help media managers fulfill their promises “to do better” we need to know the number of Black journalists and media professionals in their newsrooms. Over the years, NABJ has repeatedly asked media companies to publicize their diversity data. While some media companies echoed our sentiments, too often we have been met with obstacles, excuses or rejection.
We recognize it’s not an easy task, so we appreciate those media companies that have released reports, including Reuters and the Austin American-Statesman, and we support their commitment to do more, like Gannett.
Gannett continues to show its commitment to diversifying executive management positions in various newsrooms, including Indianapolis, Kentucky, Mississippi and New York. The Boston Globe has also shown progress.
The list below includes some of those that made their data public.
We applaud their efforts and encourage others to follow suit.
Yours in Service,
Dorothy Tucker/NABJ President/ CBS Chicago Investigative Reporter/@Dorothy4NABJ
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#NABJEduHealth – 2021 Media Institute on Education & Health
Three popular sessions were The Art of the Side Hustle, Teaching Race & Journalism and Engagement Matters. Members who registered for the summit can replay the sessions for a limited time with their login credentials.
Time is Money: The Art of the Side Hustle
Brianna Hamblin, Jarrett Hill, Carmaine Means, and Jesse Washington joined moderator Renita Young to share how they turned their passions into multiple streams of income. They also shared wisdom for others looking to do the same.
Teaching Race & Journalism
Angel Jennings, Alicia Bell, and Dr. Sherri Williams joined Prof. Keonte Coleman in a discussion about reporting while Black and how to make sure the next generation of journalists is ready for the challenge.
Engagement Matters: Newsroom, Classroom & Boardroom
Dr. Syb Brown, professor and visual journalist Jarrad Henderson, Brett Chambers, and Julia Weng discussed best practices for staying engaged on the student, instructor and professional levels.
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#NABJCongrats
Nancy DeVille – Project Manager at The Atlantic
John Yearwood – Global News Editor at Politico
Marlon Walker – Executive Editor at the Clarion Ledger and Mississippi state editor
Nicole Carr – Investigative Reporter at ProPublica
Rod Carter- Evening Anchor at WNCN/CBS 17
Sheila Rayam – Executive Editor at Observer-Dispatch and The Times Telegraph
Andrew Hammond – Assistant Sports Editor at the Detroit Free Press
Janay Kingsberry – Multiplatform Editor at Washington Post’s The Lily
Vickie Thomas – Retired from WWJ
Adrienne Samuels Gibbs – Director of Multicultural Content at Medium and acting Editor-in-Chief at Zora
Walter Smith-Randolph – Investigative Editor at Connecticut Public Broadcasting
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In Memoriam
Marshall Latimore, Exec. Ed. of the Atlanta Voice
Eddie Williams, Exec. Prod./former president of Kansas City chapter
Bill Campbell, Longtime Chicago journalist
Bill McCreary, Longtime New York anchor
John “Rucks” Russell, Former KHOU reporter
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Chapter Updates
Recent Training & Updates
Chapters hosted the following events:
Memphis – COVID-19 One Year Later: Newsrooms Post-Pandemic (March)
Houston – The Evolution of Podcasting (March)
Boston – Repurposing Your Journalism Skills (March)
Washington – Navigating Your Internship or First Job Amid COVID (April)
South Florida – Black Women Journalists Shattering the Glass Ceiling (April)
Baltimore – Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces for Journalists and Media Related Professionals (April)
Cincinnati – On the Record: Cincinnati News Directors in Conversation with GCABJ (April)
Los Angeles – Allies Against Racism, Bridging the Divide: Journalists of Color in Conversation (April)
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Collegiate Corner
Recent Training & Updates
NCAT NABJ – Hosted What’s the Buzz? (March)
Arizona State – Hosted Black Women in Media (March)
Clark Atlanta – Held a discussion w/CEO of MEFeater Magazine Gabrielle Amani (March)
Winthrop – Hosted Journalism in Time of Turmoil (March)
CSUF-NABJ – Hosted Women in Sports (April)
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Task Force Updates
Recent Training & Updates
LGBTQ+ – Hosted: Ask An LGBTQ+ Journalist panel (March)
Freelance – Hosted: How to Fund Your Story webinar (March)
New Task Force Alert! Welcome to the Weather and Climate Task Force (April)
Haven’t joined a task force? Sign up now.
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#NABJWebinars
ICYMI: NABJ Print Task Force Presents: Black Excellence: Advancing as a Manager Amid Racial Reckoning
ICYMI: NABJ Digital Task Force Presents: Reporting on Equity, Justice and Race in the 21st Century
ICYMI: Legacy of the Enslaved – Far Beyond One Family’s Story
ICYMI: Flipping the Script: Producing at Spectrum News Webinar
ICYMI: So you want to go freelance? How to Navigate the World of Freelance Photography
ICYMI: Success Stories & Pathways for Media Related Professionals
ICYMI: US Capitol Insurrection and Journalism: Getting to Know the US Justice System
ICYMI: Black Hair 101: What No One Tells You About Going Natural On-Air
ICYMI: How to Find a Mentor
ICYMI: NABJ Chapters: Guide to Getting 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status & Shoring Up Financial Oversight
ICYMI: #NABJWomen Presents Salary Negotiations, Getting Paid What You’re Worth
ICYMI: Mental Health Check In The Critical Importance of Self Awareness
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Donate now to the NABJ COVID-19 Relief Fund. Help members affected by the pandemic.
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Sign up for the Producer, Editor and Freelancer databases.
