Events

2025 Basics Bootcamp 

March 28-29, 2025  | Texas Southern University | 3100 Cleburne Street | Houston, TX

Theme: Back to Basics, Back to Foundation

NABJ’s Basics Bootcamp returns with a day-long training event for journalism and communications students and emerging professionals. Attendees will learn and build skills that serve as foundations in news and media. They will receive tips and tools from industry leaders and experts. The bootcamp also serves as a refresher for seasoned professionals.

Panel discussions and hands-on learning experiences will leave attendees prepared for success in written, digital, and visual storytelling, as well as fact-checking, personal branding, AI, and career growth, including resume building, demo reels, networking, and mock interviews.

Join us in beautiful Houston. All are welcome!

Registration now open. Click here to reserve your spot.

Schedule-at-a-Glance 

Subject to change.

Friday, March 28, 2025

6–9 p.m. |  Bootcamp Opening Reception

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Saturday, March 29, 2025

Registration & Check-In | TBA

8 a.m. | Welcome + Continental Breakfast

• Keynote Speaker: Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall Show

• Emcee: DaLaun Dillard, Anchor, Fox 26 Houston

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9 a.m.–10:30 a.m. | Together We Write: Writing Workshop for All

Moderator: Cheryl Smith, Publisher, I Messenger Media LLC and Former NABJ Secretary

Presenters: 

• Terrance Harris, Digital Content Manager, The Houston Defender

• Scoop Jefferson, Reporter, WFAA News 8 Dallas/Fort Worth

• Misty Starks, Founder, Misty Blue Media

• Marlon A. Walker, Managing Editor, Local, The Marshall Project, Former NABJ Vice President-Print

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10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions

• Fast Rules for Shooting Great Video

  • Presenter: Ted Irving, beingUS.tv / Director for Houston Television (City of Houston HTV)

  • Facilitator:  Walter Smith Randolph, Executive Producer of Investigations, CBS New York, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast

• Fact-Checking in the Age of Disinformation

  • Presenters:

    • Rilwan Balogun, Reporter, KPRC 2 News Houston

    • Erin Davis, Statewide Political Reporter, Capital Tonight, Spectrum News 1 Texas

• Tips for Resumes, Demo Reels & Mock Interviews

  • Facilitator: Tiana Roberts, Newsroom Talent and Training Manager, The Wall Street Journal

  • Reviewers:

    • Mary Benton, Chief of Communications/Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Houston, Former NABJ Regional Director

    • Venton Blandin, Executive Reporter, KRIS-TV (Scripps) and Chair, NABJ Arts and Entertainment Task Force

    • Bernadette Brown, Manager of Newsgathering, CNN Newsource

    • Marlon A. Walker, Managing Editor, Local, The Marshall Project, Former NABJ Vice President-Print

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12:30 p.m. | Lunch & Learn: Cowboy Carter Class in Session

• Emcee: Joy Sewing, News Columnist, The Houston Chronicle

• Presenter:  Dr. Alicia Odewale, African Diaspora Archaeologist and Professor of Practice, University of Houston, Department of African American Studies, “Before Cowboy Carter: Black Towns, Black Freedom”

2–3:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions

• Social Media and Personal Branding

  • Moderator: Erica Simon, Anchor, ABC13 Houston

  • Presenters: 

    • Jahmal Kennedy, General Assignment Reporter, CBS Austin 

    • Tashara Parker, Founder/CEO, Loud Women Lead

    • Tierra Smith, Social Media Editor, Black Enterprise

• Appropriate Journalistic Use of AI Tools

  • Presenter: Paris Brown, Publisher, The Baltimore Times

• Tips for Resumes, Demo Reels & Mock Interviews

  • Facilitator: Tiana Roberts, Newsroom Talent and Training Manager, The Wall Street Journal

• • Reviewers: 

    • Mary Benton, Chief of Communications/Senior Advisor to the Mayor, City of Houston, Former NABJ Regional Director

    • Venton Blandin, Executive Reporter, KRIS-TV (Scripps) and Chair, NABJ Arts and Entertainment Task Force

    • Bernadette Brown, Manager of Newsgathering, CNN Newsource

    • Marlon A. Walker, Managing Editor, Local, The Marshall Project, Former NABJ Vice President-Print

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3:45–5:15 p.m. | Closing General Session & Networking Extravaganza

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7–8 p.m. | Closing Reception

 

Registration 

Registration Rates

(Total includes a $3.00 administrative fee)

Early-Bird by March 17, 2025 – (Last Day to Register Online)

• Professional Member (Professional/Emerging Professional/Alumni/Academic/Media-Related Members) – $50

• Student Member – $25

• Nonmember – $75

• Student Nonmember – $50

On-site registration is available in-person on March 28-29, 2025
*No Cash Accepted • Debit or Credit Cards Only

• Professional Member (Professional/Emerging Professional/Alumni/Academic/Media-Related Members) – $100

• Student Member – $50

• Nonmember – $150

• Student Nonmember – $100

Note: You’ll need to log in using your NABJ username and password to view the discounted member rates.