The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides innovative, quality programs and services to its members. The organization advocates on behalf of Black journalists and media professionals in the U.S. and worldwide. NABJ’s membership is more than 4,000 strong and includes emerging journalists, professional journalists, student journalists, journalism educators and media professionals of all kinds.
NABJ is headquartered on the campus of the University of Maryland-College Park. Our offices are located at 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3101, College Park, Maryland 20742.
Many of NABJ’s members also serve on and participate in domestic and global professional and student chapters. This allows us to consistently reach, support and engage Black journalists and media professionals in their local communities through meetings, panels, workshops, media institutes and regional conferences. NABJ also offers its members the opportunity to join multiple task forces and committees that align with their professional disciplines and goals.
Every two years, the membership elects a president and members of its National Board of Directors to govern NABJ. An executive director leads the National Office staff.
NABJ is committed to the following:
- Strengthening ties among Black journalists, student journalists, journalism educators and media professionals;
- Sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for Black journalists;
- Expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veteran, young and aspiring Black journalists and media professionals while providing continued professional development and training;
- Increasing the number of Black journalists and media professionals in management positions and encouraging Black journalists to become entrepreneurs;
- Fostering an exemplary group of professionals that honors excellence and outstanding achievements by Black journalists, and outstanding achievement in the media industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to providing balanced coverage of the Black community and society at large;
- Working with high schools and colleges to identify and encourage Black students to become journalists and communicators, and to diversify faculties and related curriculum;
- And providing informational, educational and training services to the general public.
NABJ holds an Annual National Convention and Career Fair each summer with hundreds of plenary sessions, panels, workshops, special events and networking opportunities for professional and personal development. The career fair draws hundreds of recruiters. It is the largest of its kind in the nation. Coupled with NABJ’s online career center, it is the best means of finding a job in the industry. The annual Salute to Excellence Awards, Hall of Fame and Special Honors (Lifetime Achievement, Journalist of the Year, Community Service, etc.) are bestowed at each convention.
Each year, NABJ awards nearly $100,000 in scholarships and internships to college and high school students nationwide, as well as fellowships for seasoned professionals.
The NABJ Media Institute provides professional development and technical training for Black journalists, journalism students and media professionals at venues across the country.
