Events

2026 NABJ Region IV Conference

April 24-25, 2026

300 Aggie Square

University of California, Davis

4480 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA

Theme: Build, Bridge, Belong: Strengthening Black Media

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Join Us in Sacramento for the 2026 NABJ Region IV Conference!

Mark your calendars for April 24–25, 2026, as the National Association of Black Journalists brings its premier regional conference to Sacramento, California. The theme — Build, Bridge, Belong: Strengthening Black Media — sets the tone for two powerful days of dialogue, development, and connection.

Join journalists, students, media professionals, and thought leaders from across the western region for this two-day event that will feature dynamic panels, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and conversations that shape the future of journalism. Whether you’re a student, media professional, or newsroom leader, come connect, learn, and be inspired in the heart of California’s capital.

Let’s build together, bridge the gaps, and celebrate the spaces where we all belong!

 

Scholarships Available for High School and College Students

Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/2026NABJSacramentoScholarshipApplication

Deadline: March 2, 2026

Registration 

Click Here to Register and See Registration Rates

Reserve your hotel room here: https://bit.ly/2026NABJRegion4HotelReservation

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Subject to change.

Friday, April 24

4 – 5:30 PM

• Community Town Hall: Media, Policing & Public Trust – Aggie Square – Assembly Hall – Community event. Open to the public. Conference registration not required: This town hall brings together community members, journalists, and current and former law enforcement leaders for an open, candid discussion about the relationship between media and police—and how it shapes public trust. Panelists will address transparency, accountability, communication, and how law enforcement decisions are made and reported. Designed as a dialogue rather than a lecture, the session invites questions and perspectives from attendees, encouraging honest exchange around challenges, misunderstandings, and opportunities for improvement. The conversation aims to foster ethical storytelling, navigate sensitive situations, and strengthen connections between media, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.
  • Moderator:
    • Cecil Hannibal, Weekend Anchor, KCRA Sacramento, CA
  • Panelists:
    • Daniel Hahn, Retired Sacramento Police Chief
    • Carmen Best, Retired Seattle Police Chief
    • Jim Cooper, Sacramento County Sheriff

7 – 9 PM

• Opening Reception Build. Bridge. Belong. Strengthening Black Media – Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street Sacramento, CA 95815: The Region IV Conference opening ceremony will formally kick off the event with a welcome from the host chapter, setting the tone for the gathering in Sacramento. Attendees will hear opening remarks that highlight the conference theme and goals, recognize partners and sponsors, and introduce key participants. They will also receive an overview of the week’s sessions, networking opportunities, and special events.
  • Emcees:
    • Latoya Silmon, Anchor, KSNV, Las Vegas, NV
    • Tim Pulliam, Reporter, ABC 7, Los Angeles, CA
  • Keynote Speaker:
    • Kevin Frazier, Host, Entertainment Tonight
  • Remarks:
    • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News
    • Aaron Day, NABJ Region IV Director
    • Brandi Cummings, President, NABJ Sacramento 
    • Kevin McCarty, Sacramento Mayor

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Saturday, April 25

8:30 – 10 AM

• From Coverage to Control: Building Black Media Power in Underrepresented Regions Breakfast – Aggie Square – Assembly Hall | Powered by The James B. McClatchy Foundation: This session brings together Black journalists, editors, founders, and media leaders working in California’s Central Valley to discuss building journalism power beyond coastal newsrooms. Panelists will explore reporting in regions where proximity to labor, land, incarceration, and government shapes coverage differently along with the realities of safety, accountability, and trust in deeply interconnected communities. The conversation will examine pathways to sustainability and ownership for Black-led media in underserved regions, including emerging funding models, collaboration, and community-rooted approaches. Together, panelists will share practical insights, lived experience, and forward-looking strategies for strengthening Black journalism, expanding regional influence, and redefining where media power is built.
  • Moderator:
    • Keiona Williamson, Director of Journalism Sustainability, McClatchy Foundation
  • Panelists: 
    • Larry Lee, Publisher, The Sacramento Observer
    • Dympna Ugwu-Oju, K-12 Editor, Edsource
    • Victor Patton, Managing Editor, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative
    • Jamillah Finley, Founder and Executive, Director Breakbox Thought Collective

10:30 – 11:45 AM

• Building Your Brand: Strategies for Journalists to Shine – Aggie Square – Room 1: This session equips journalists with the tools and strategies to develop a strong personal and professional brand. Panelists will cover how to have a successful social media presence and ways to stand out in a crowded media landscape. Attendees will learn how to showcase their expertise, expand their influence, and create opportunities for career growth while maintaining authenticity. With practical tips and real-world examples, the conversation empowers journalists to strategically highlight their strengths, build credibility, and leave a lasting impression on audiences, employers, and the communities they serve.
  • Moderator:
    • Tre’Vell  Anderson, Chief Imagination Officer, Slayzhon
  • Panelists:
    • Andre Hill, Sr, Self Content Coach, Bakersfield, CA
    • Jami’r Smith, Radio & Podcast Host, iHeart Radio, Power 97.5 LA

10:30am – 11:45am

• Everything You Should Have Learned in J-School about Writing, but Didn’t! – Aggie Square – Room 2: This session dives into the essential writing skills often missed in journalism school. Discussion points include: storytelling techniques, clarity, structure, voice, and practical tips for producing engaging, accurate, and impactful content across platforms. Attendees will learn how to refine their writing, avoid common pitfalls, and adapt to the fast-paced demands of modern newsrooms.
  • Presenter:
    • Greg Moore, President, AZ Association of Black Journalists 

12 – 2pm

• Unscripted & Raising the Bar: Real Talk with Black Men in Hollywood | Luncheon | Powered by Comcast – Aggie Square – Assembly Hall:This session brings together Black men in Hollywood to discuss navigating representation, from typecasting to multidimensional roles, and breaking barriers in access, equity, and pay. Panelists will explore mentorship, community-building, and sustaining careers while maintaining mental health and resilience under the spotlight. The conversation will also highlight emerging opportunities in film, TV, and streaming, offering insights, inspiration, and practical guidance for shaping a more inclusive and impactful entertainment industry.
  • Moderator:
    • Dana Griffin, Los Angeles – Based, NBC Correspondent
  • Panelists:
    • Lamman Rucker, Actor, Producer, Educator
    • Xavier Smalls, Actor, Producer
    • Nic Few, Actor

2 – 3:15 PM

• The Essential Playbook for Emerging Journalists – Aggie Square – Room 1: This session equips aspiring and early-career journalists with the practical skills, industry insight, and confidence needed to make a successful transition into the newsroom. Panelists will break down what they look for as hiring managers, how to build a strong resume reel, and the habits that set standout journalists apart. Attendees will gain guidance on navigating internships, mentorships, digital storytelling, and the fast-paced realities of modern newsrooms – all with a focus on supporting and elevating the next generation of Black journalists.
  • Moderator:
    • Amir Vera, Local Editor for South LA & Inglewood, The LA Local
  • Panelists:
    • Derek Schnell, VP and Regional News Director, Hearst Television
    • Monika Diaz, News Director, ABC10, Sacramento, CA
    • Simone Aponte, News Director, KTVU, Oakland, CA

2 – 3:15 PM

• The Real Game Behind the Game: Mastering Sports Reporting – Aggie Square – Room 2: This session pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to excel in sports journalism. Panelists will share insights on building sources, navigating locker-room dynamics, analyzing performance, and telling compelling stories beyond the scoreboard. Attendees will learn how to balance access with accountability, cover high-pressure moments, and elevate athlete-centered narratives. With a focus on opportunities and challenges facing Black sports journalists, this session offers practical tools to help reporters thrive in one of the industry’s most competitive and fast-paced beats.
  • Moderator:
    • Vern Glenn, Sports Director, KPIX 5 San Francisco, CA
  • Panelists:
    • Darren Haynes, Sports Anchor, CBS Los Angeles 
    • Jason Jones, Staff Writer, The Athletic

3:30 – 4:45 PM

• Storytelling 4.0: The New Frontier of Journalism and AI – Aggie Square – Room 1: This interactive workshop explores the evolving intersection of journalism and artificial intelligence, examining how AI is transforming reporting, content creation, and audience engagement. Attendees will learn practical strategies for integrating AI into workflows, enhancing storytelling, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing media landscape. NOTE: Attendees will need to use their Gmail account to log into the software that will be used during this interactive workshop
  • Presenter: 
    • Retha Hill, Professor Emerita, Arizona State University

5 – 6 PM 

• Closing Ceremony – Aggie Square – Assembly Hall: The closing ceremony will wrap up the conference with reflection, celebration, and inspiration. A highlight of the session will be the presentation of scholarships to outstanding high school and college students, celebrating their achievements and supporting the next generation of storytellers and civic leaders. The ceremony will conclude with a call to action as participants prepare to carry what they’ve learned back to their communities. *Scholarship recipients must be present.
  
  • Emcee:
    • Melanie Townsend, Morning Anchor, FOX 40, Sacramento, CA
  • Remarks: 
    • Aaron Day, NABJ Region IV Director
    • Brandi Cummings, President, NABJ Sacramento 
  •  Scholarship Presentations:  
    • Danielle Wilburn, Board Member, NABJ Sacramento  

8pm – Midnight 

• Closing Reception – Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street Sacramento, CA 95815: The Encore is the closing reception that brings the conference to a joyful finish. This relaxed, social gathering gives attendees a chance to wind down, reconnect with colleagues, and celebrate the conversations, connections, and accomplishments of the conference. With good vibes, a live DJ, and food, The Encore offers a fun, welcoming, and safe space to toast the success of the conference and send everyone off on a high note.

*Separate Ticket Required* | Link to purchase tickets coming soon.