Task Forces

The Academic Task Force includes educators and professionals who work within education related professions. Members include, and are not limited to, faculty, administrators, staff, media/communication/marketing professionals for academic institutions, etc. The task force’s purpose is to provide resources, information and networks to support growth and development in the education industry.

Chair: Ryan Dearbone, ryan.dearbone@wku.edu
Vice Chair: Carol Bowdry, seebowdry@gmail.com

The NABJ Arts and Entertainment Task Force is available to members who cover arts and entertainment. Joining this group is a great way to connect to the broader arts and entertainment community.

Chair: Venton D. Blandin, vinnieinvirginia@yahoo.com

Vice Chair: Kathia Woods, CupofSoulShow@gmail.com

The Broadcast Task Force includes radio and television journalists. The group’s purpose is to champion diversity in newsrooms across the country and to inspire camaraderie among broadcast journalists.

Chair: Eric Sellers, ebsellers10@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Scoop Jefferson, scoop.jefferson@wfaa.com

The mission of the NABJ Business Journalism Task Force is to increase the number of Black journalists covering business, and educate fellow NABJ members and the industry about these topics.

Chair: Bowdeya Tweh, bowdeyatweh@gmail.com

Co-Chairs: Imani Moise, imanijm@gmail.com

Stacy-Marie Ishmael, stacy@smi.tt

As technology is enhancing journalism and transforming the media landscape, journalists must adapt and use new tools in order to survive and thrive. The Digital Journalism Task Force keeps NABJ members on the cutting edge as they navigate rapidly evolving newsrooms.

Chair: Jonathan Franklin,
franklinja13@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Beatrice Peterson,
beatrice.peterson@gmail.com

The Founders Task Force includes NABJ Founders, Past Presidents and former National Board Members with at least 25 years of membership in NABJ. The groups’ purposes are to reaffirm NABJ’s founding principles and fortify NABJ through the contributions of its members’ time, talents, historical perspectives and collective memory in alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.

Chair: Sandra Dawson Long Weaver,
sandradlong13@gmail.com

The Global Journalism Task Force promotes coverage of and about the African and African American experience worldwide.

Chair: Aurora Ellis, aurorajellis@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Kiratiana Freelon, kiratiana@gmail.com

The HBCU Task Force serves as a collective of HBCU alumni, students and faculty committed to strengthening the pipeline of Black journalists from HBCU campuses into the media industry. The Task Force seeks to connect generations of journalists, expand access to industry resources and ensure HBCUs remain an integral part of NABJ’s mission and the future of journalism.

Chair: Tyra Whitney, tyramwhitney@gmail.com

The NABJ Health & Science Task Force supports members who cover science and medical news, as well as those interested in pursuing careers in health and science journalism.

Chair: Nicholas St. Fleur, scifleur@gmail.com

Co-Chairs: Clayton Gutzmore, moregutz@gmail.com

Jacqueline Howard, jacqueline.e.howard@gmail.com

The NABJ Independent Journalists and Entrepreneurship Task Force empowers independent journalists, content creators, and communications professionals with the professional and business development resources, and digital strategy support needed to thrive in today's evolving media ecosystem.

Chair: Shernay Williams, 
shernay@thestorysuitellc.com

The NABJ Investigative Task Force is dedicated to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion among investigative journalists.

Chair: Jatara McGee,
jatara.jm@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Cierra Putman,
cierra.putman2014@yahoo.com

The mission of this task force is to unite NABJ's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer members so they may support and strengthen one another and assist NABJ in carrying out its mission of inclusion and excellence.

Chair: Corey Antonio Rose,
coreyantoniorose@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Rebekah Robinson,
rebekah.r224@gmail.com

The Media-Related Task Force includes part-time journalists, part-time freelance writers, educators, marketing and public relations professionals, as well as other media professionals. The purpose of this task force is to advance the causes and issues related to these sectors and to NABJ.

Chair: Rabiah Alicia Burks,
rabiahrab@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Kiana Nelson,
kiananelson.nabj@gmail.com

The Political Journalism Task Force is composed of journalists that cover local, state, and national politics. The group's purpose is to provide support and programming for political journalists.

Chair: Brianna Tucker,
briannatucker@utexas.edu

Vice Chair: Brittany Gibson,
brittanygibson442@gmail.com

The NABJ Sports Task Force promotes diversity in America’s sports departments and provides programming toward developing the next wave of America's sports journalists.

Chair: Tareia Williams,
tareia.williams@warnermedia.com

Vice Chair: Kwani Lunis,
kwanilunis@gmail.com

The Visual Task Force serves as a visual storytelling arm of NABJ. We are a professional community for visual journalists, designers, animators, broadcast videographers and visual editors whose mission is to develop educational programs and provide professional development for both veteran and future multimedia journalists and offer visual leadership for newspaper, magazine, broadcast and online publications.

Chair: Lance Washington, lkwashington1@gmail.com

Co-Chairs: Danielle Gatewood, daniellergatewood@yahoo.com

Jason Armond, info@jasonarmond.com

The NABJ Weather and Climate Task Force is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion among meteorologists, weathercasters, science reporters, and others covering weather and climate stories. We will provide opportunities for fellowship, education and mentorship for current and rising professionals covering this field.

Chair: Dominic Brown,
dominicabrown@yahoo.com

Vice Chair: Holly Baker,
wxhollybaker@gmail.com

The NABJ Wellness Task Force champions the holistic well-being of journalists and media professionals, fostering a culture of support and resilience in newsrooms and media organizations. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by our community, the task force is dedicated to cultivating environments that prioritize wellness and mental health, promote work-life balance, and ensure overall health.

Chair: Marie Torres, marie.whigtv@gmail.com

Vice Chair: Dawn Angelique Roberts, dawnangelique@gmail.com

The Writers Task Force purpose is to acknowledge the evolution of our industry and to provide a space for writers to discuss ideas, sharpen skills and be inclusive of professionals who write. The Task Force will reinforce traditional writing skills as well as focus on newer skills such as writing for web, alternative story forms and social media writing. These join the ability to pursue long-form and narrative and explanatory writing.

Chair: Maria Reeve, mariareevenabj@gmail.com

Co-Chairs: Sharif Durhams, sharif.durhams@gmail.com

Joy Sewing, joy.sewing@houstonchronicle.com

The Young Black Journalists Task Force provides a forum and support for fellow journalists in their first few years. The Task Force annually recognizes emerging journalists doing exemplary work.

Chair: Kayla Solomon, kay_nyree@hotmail.com

Vice Chair: Eden Turner, eturner4532@gmail.com