2024 Ethel Payne Fellowship Winner Publishes Powerful Series About Black Americans “Coming Home” to Ghana

Jenice Armstrong, the 2024 recipient of the NABJ Ethel Payne Fellowship, has completed her groundbreaking series focused on “Coming Home to Ghana,” published in The Philadelphia Inquirer. This powerful four-part project delves into the personal stories and broader implications of the “Blaxit” movement, where Black Americans choose to leave the United States to settle in Ghana. Through vivid storytelling, Armstrong captures these expats’ motivations, challenges, and triumphs as they reconnect with their ancestral roots.

Explore the Series (Click titles to view.)

1. Why They Left: A Search for Liberation: Armstrong introduces readers to the expats who left America seeking refuge from systemic racism and disillusionment, revealing deeply personal journeys and aspirations.
2. Dual Citizenship: A New Beginning: This installment explores how Ghana’s efforts to welcome the African diaspora, including dual citizenship programs, offer new opportunities for Black Americans.
3. Economy, Housing, and the Cost of Change: Armstrong examines the economic realities of Ghana, including housing challenges and the resilience needed to adapt.
4. Legacy of Slavery: Reclaiming Identity: The series concludes with a poignant look at how Ghana’s role in the transatlantic slave trade shapes the expats’ sense of identity and healing.

About Jenice Armstrong

Jenice Armstrong is a metro columnist with more than 25 years of experience writing for publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, The Washington Post, and The Associated Press. A proud Howard University graduate, Armstrong is known for her blunt honesty and courage in tackling social injustice. She thrives on connecting with Philadelphia’s diverse communities and bringing untold stories to light. Her work has earned prestigious accolades, including first place for commentary from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association in 2017 for a fiery column titled “Shame on Deplorable Trump Backers.”

The NABJ Ethel Payne Fellowship, a $5,000 travel award, allows NABJ members to pursue foreign correspondence projects about Africa. Named after Ethel Payne, a pioneering journalist and commentator, the fellowship supports meaningful storytelling that fosters understanding and connection across the African diaspora.

For more information on the fellowship or to apply for the 2025 award, visit the NABJ Ethel Payne Fellowship page.