NABJ Expands NABJ CARES to Support Black Journalists Navigating Industry Disruption

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced the expansion of NABJ CARES. The program is evolving into a comprehensive member support initiative designed to serve Black journalists navigating the wave of layoffs, newsroom closures, and industry consolidation currently reshaping American media. 

Built on four core commitments, NABJ CARES provides a centralized hub for practical career guidance, mental health and wellness support, visibility amplification, and direct resources for members in transition. The initiative arrives at a critical inflection point for Black journalists, who are bearing the weight of an industry in rapid decline, while continuing to produce coverage essential to their communities.

“Many of our members are hurting right now, and they need to know that NABJ sees them, and that we are going to show up for them in a real, tangible way,” said NABJ President Errin Haines. “NABJ CARES is about building the kind of infrastructure our members deserve, so that when they face a setback, this organization is already there with meaningful support and valuable resources to offer. That is what this moment requires from us.”

In recent years, the journalism industry has faced significant contraction, with more than 5,000 jobs eliminated since 2024 alone and thousands more cuts across major media organizations nationwide. At a time when Black journalists make up just 6% of the newsroom workforce, despite representing a significantly larger share of the U.S. population, these losses carry an outsized impact. The rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives has further intensified this shift, with major outlets like NBC News, CBS, POLITICO and others dismantling diversity-focused verticals and coverage areas with beats often led by Black journalists and other journalists of color. As these roles disappear, so too does critical cultural context, community-centered storytelling, and representation in news coverage, leaving many Black journalists navigating an increasingly uncertain professional landscape without the visibility and support systems needed to rebound.

In response to this moment, NABJ CARES must now help to ensure Black journalists are not left to navigate these challenges alone.

NABJ CARES will serve NABJ members impacted by layoffs, newsroom closures, or career displacement, with particular focus on supporting early-career journalists, freelancers, and those navigating transitions into independent work. The initiative is governed by an ad hoc NABJ CARES Committee chaired by Benet Wilson, with Secretary Khorri Atkinson serving as board liaison.

While NABJ CARES will continue to expand, NABJ is launching several  initiatives in the coming months to meet the urgency and needs of the moment. The end result will feature a number of offerings that include:

• A centralized intake form connecting impacted members to tailored resources and support
• Rapid-response webinars on layoff recovery, freelancing fundamentals, financial transition strategies and more
• A Career Transition Hub featuring job board listings, freelance opportunities, portfolio and resume submissions, and access to healthcare and grant funding resources
• An opt-in job seeker directory shared with hiring organizations and industry partners
• Social amplification across NABJ platforms to increase member visibility
• Strategic partnerships with organizations and companies looking to collaborate and commit to our mission to support Black journalists

NABJ CARES is designed to be a crucial, strategic step toward a larger organizational shift, not a one-time response. As part of its growing ecosystem of support, NABJ CARES has launched a new partnership with The Rewrite, a career transition platform founded by NABJ member, Aundrea Cline-Thomas, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and former WCBS-TV anchor/reporter.

The Rewrite is designed to support journalists and media professionals as they reassess, reinvent and reimagine their careers amid ongoing industry disruption. Through a strategic roadmap, participants gain access to career transition experts, and media professionals who have successfully navigated similar shifts, equipping them with the tools to build sustainable, fulfilling career paths both within and beyond traditional newsrooms.

Through this partnership, NABJ members will receive exclusive access to specialized resources, tools, and programming at no cost, further strengthening the organization’s commitment to providing actionable support and long-term career mobility for Black journalists.

Interested NABJ members in good standing can sign up for ReWrite at https://bit.ly/NABJXReWrite.

“The reality is the industry is shrinking, representation has long been limited, and too many journalists are navigating these challenges without support,” added Haines. “We believe NABJ Cares is the solution and we are designing it to be a first step toward a larger organizational shift. Our mission is intentional in establishing this as a sustained effort that ensures our members are not only supported in this moment but also positioned to thrive beyond it. We are building something that lasts.”

The expanded NABJ Cares is LIVE now, launching with an immediate programming series led by the NABJ Wellness Task Force, to address the urgent mental health needs of members facing career disruption. Initial programming includes a virtual community processing session, a therapist-led webinar focused on managing career uncertainty and financial stress, and a peer support space for Black journalists navigating job loss. Career-focused webinars on freelancing and financial transition will follow with additional programming announced on a rolling basis.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, NABJ CARES represents a critical step toward ensuring Black journalists are not left behind, but instead supported, visible and positioned for what’s next.

To watch the latest NABJ CARES Webinars, click below:

• ReWrite: 7 steps to attracting new opportunities
• The Rebound: Financial Fortitude After A Layoff
• How to Launch Your Freelance Writing Career