Events

2026 NABJ REGION I and YOUNG BLACK JOURNALISTS TASK FORCE PRESENT EMERGE: BUILDING THE NEXT 50

May 1-2, 2026 | Temple University Student Center

1755 N 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA

Theme: Building The Next 50

Thanks To Our Partners and Sponsors:

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Join us for NABJ EMERGE, May 1 – 2, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA

A must-attend event for journalists and communicators! 

Join the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) at Temple University in Philadelphia, May 1-2, for a powerhouse Region I Conference. As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, there is no better place than the “City of Brotherly Love” to reflect on the vital role of journalism in shaping our democracy. This year, in a special partnership with the Young Black Journalists Task Force, we are uniting seasoned veterans and emerging talent to advance equitable storytelling and navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving media landscape. Prepare for a dynamic, high-impact summit designed to foster “authentic connections” and deliver fresh insights and practical skills. Don’t just witness the evolution of media—be a part of it. Join us to collaborate, innovate, and build resilient communities through the power of civic dialogue.

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Parking 

Guests may park at the Montgomery Garage at a rate of $6.00 per hour.

Alternative parking options include the Liacouras Garage, Temple Towers, Cecil B. Moore, and Tuttleman parking lots, where the daily rate is $27.00. Please note that parking at the Liacouras Garage may be limited due to a CCP graduation event.

For a full list of parking locations and details, please visit:
https://campusoperations.temple.edu/parking-services/garages-lots

Registration 

Click Here to Register and See Registration Rates

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Schedule-at-a-Glance

Event Program Book: https://bit.ly/NABJEmerge2026Program

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Friday, May 1, 2026

6:00 – 10:00 PM – African American Museum | 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

• Welcome Reception | Hosted by NABJ Philadelphia
  • Advance Ticket Price 
    • $30 General Admission
    • $15 Students
  • Onsite Ticket Price
    • $40 General Admission
    • $25 Students
  • Transportation not provided.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Conference Begins

8:30 – 9:15 AM – Suite 200 B/C

• Registration/ Breakfast

9AM – 5:00 PM

• Career Fair & Resume Reviews: Resume reviews are provided by the NABJ Business Journalism Task Force.

9: 15 – 9:30 AM – Suite 200

• Opening Remarks & Prayer 
  • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News
  • Walter Smith Randolph, NABJ Vice President – Broadcast and Executive Producer of Investigations, CBS News New York
  • Melony Roy, NABJ Region I Director and Supervising Producer, Audio, The Wall Street Journal
  • Nkwa Asonye, NABJ Philadelphia Chapter President & Editor, 6ABC

9: 30 – 10:20 AM – Suite 200

• Opening Joint Session | State of the Industry: Mass layoffs, company takeovers, new ownership—a lot has happened in the media world over the past year. During this joint session, we’ll discuss everything that’s happened.
  • Moderator 
    • Janay Reece,  WJZ Baltimore
  •  Panelists:
    • Errin Haines, NABJ President & Editor-At-Large, 19th News,
    • Sandra Clark, CEO of StoryCorps
    • Sara Lomax – President and CEO, WURD Radio & Co-Founder URL Media

10:30 -11:20 AM – Suite 200

• AI-Palooza: How Journalists and Communicators Can Use AI Ethically: In this session, the presenters will share tools and prompts that journalists and communicators can use –ethically — to do their jobs smarter and better.
  • Presenters:
    • Laura Kurtzberg, Training Director, IRE
    • Duy Nguyen, Senior Engineer & Scientist, A.I. Initiatives, The New York Times

10:30 -11:20 AM – Suite 217 A/B

• From Newsrooms to Classrooms: Building the Next Generation of Journalists: As newsrooms evolve and academic programs adapt to industry changes, journalist-educators play a critical role in preparing the next generation of storytellers. This session explores how newsroom veterans can leverage their real-world experience to empower students, develop innovative curricula, and create meaningful pathways into the profession. 
  • Moderator: 
    • Jonelle Henry, Director & Lecturer for DC Immersion Program, University of Florida College of Journalism & Communications
  •  Panelists:
    • Chris Blackman, Director of Career Services, Klein College, Temple University
    • Denise James, Assistant Professor of Practice, Temple University
    • Walter Middlebrook, Foster Professor of Practice, Penn State
    • Chuck Stevens, Adjunct Associate Professor, Columbia Journalism School

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM – Suite 217 A/B

• From Newsroom to Comms: Transitioning from Journalism to Public Relations: As the media landscape continues to shift, many journalists are making strategic pivots into public relations and communications roles. This panel explores what it means to move from journalism to PR in today’s environment. Panelists will discuss how core newsroom skills translate into communications work, what mindset shifts are required, and how to navigate ethical questions tied to credibility and public trust.
  • Moderator:
    • Deirdre Childress Hopkins, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications & Events, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
  • Panelists:
    • Gary Anthony Ramsay, Vice President Communications, Deutsche Bank

11:30 AM – 12:20 PM – Suite 217 C/D

• Beyond Harm: Solutions Journalism in a Crisis-Driven News Cycle: Reporting in a constant cycle of crisis and negativity can make it difficult for emerging journalists to sustain a healthy relationship to news production. This is especially true as they are actively engaged in learning the craft.
  • Presenter:
    • Dominic K. McKenzie, Assistant Professor of Digital Storytelling, Howard University

12:30 – 1:20 PM – Suite 200

• Keynote | Lunch & Learn: Through her work creating The 1619 Project’, which sheds light on the history of slavery in America, Nikole Hannah-Jones has laid the foundation for how to discuss and preserve history. Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize Award-winner and current New York Times Magazine writer,  joins us to impart knowledge on the next generation while being an outspoken voice on the state of the industry. This conversation will take you into the mind of Hannah-Jones, from the early days of her career to where she’s going next.
  • Guests: 
    • Kayla Solomon, Investigative Reporter, FOX13 Memphis & Co-Chair, NABJ Young Journalists Task Force
    • Nikole Hannah-Jones, Creator of The 1619 Project, The New York Times

1:30 – 2:20 PM – Suite 217 A/B

• MMJ Toolkit: In this session, you’ll hear from multimedia journalists about the latest tools they have in their toolkit.
  • Moderator:
    • A’Lauren Gilchrist – NABJ Student Representative, alaurengilchrist@gmail.com
  •  Panelists:
    • Nicki Mayo – Editor-At-Large, Black Women Unmuted 
    • Dewayne Scott – Sports Reporter, WLIO & NABJ Young Black Journalists Task Force Board Member 
    • De’jah Gross – Reporter, WCPO & NABJ Young Black Journalists Task Force Board Member 
    • Cayla Cade – Reporter, FOX61 News & NABJ Young Black Journalists Task Force Board Member 

1:30 – 2:20 PM – Suite 217 C/D

• Creating News in an Influencer Economy: This presentation will bring together news reporters who are riding the lines between news reporter and news influencer. It will also include newsroom managers who have dipped their toe into the world of influencers- by bringing some on board.
  • Moderator: 
    • Cherri Gregg, Afternoon Host, WHYY
  •  Panelists:
    • Cheyenne Corin, Freelancer, ABC 6 Philadelphia
    • Ariane Datil, Social Video Host, The Philadelphia Inquirer
    • Jai Smith, Editor in Chief, Lehigh Daily
    • Phil Lewis, President, Washington Association of Black Journalists & Deputy Editor, HuffPost

2:30 – 3:20 PM – Suite 217 A/B

• The Power of Podcasting: Storytelling, Strategy, and Revenue in the Audio Era: Podcasting has become one of the most powerful tools for journalists to connect with audiences, expand storytelling, and create sustainable revenue streams. From daily news roundups to long-form investigative series, podcasts offer unique opportunities to dive deeper into stories and voices that are often overlooked. Panelists will share strategies for developing compelling concepts, building audiences, and monetizing content while maintaining journalistic integrity. The discussion will also cover how to leverage podcasts to amplify diverse perspectives, create community, and drive meaningful conversations. 
  • Moderator: 
    • Melony Roy, NABJ Region I Director and Supervising Producer, Audio, The Wall Street Journal
  •  Panelists:
    • Brooke Minters, Executive Producer for Podcast Video, The New York Times
      
    • Veronica Tejera, Deputy Head of Audio/Video, POLITICO
    • Nishat Kurwa, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of Podcasts, Vox Media
    • Miah Hardy, Associate Manager, Audio Audience Strategy, Conde Nast

2:30 – 3:20 PM – Suite 217 C/D

• How to Find and Get Funding for Your Reporting Project: Every journalist and newsroom eventually faces the same question: Where can I find funding for this project or position? While resources do exist, identifying the right opportunities and standing out in a competitive pool can be challenging.This session brings together journalists, newsroom leaders, and funders who have successfully secured or awarded funding. Panelists will share practical strategies for finding funding opportunities, strengthening proposals, and navigating today’s evolving funding landscape. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where support exists and how to position their work for success in a competitive environment.
  • Moderator:
    • Monica Williams, Grants for Journalists, Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow
  •  Panelists:
    • Sidnee King, Reporter at Illinois Answers Project/NYT Fellow
    • Tracie Powell, Founder, The Pivot Fund
    • Shawn Mooring, Head of Philadelphia Programs The Lenfest Institute of Journalism
    • Robert Grabel, Director of Revenue, Resolve Philly

3:30 – 4:20 PM – Suite 217 A/B

• From Inbox to Interview: Mastering the Application: This session is designed to support early-career journalists as they prepare for internships, fellowships, and entry-level roles in competitive newsrooms. The goal is to help students understand what editors and hiring managers look for in resumes, cover letters, and clips, while building confidence in presenting their skills, stories, and experience.
  • Facilitators: 
    • Tiana Roberts,Training and Talent Manager, The Wall Street Journal
    • Michelle Higgins, Assistant Managing Editor, The Wall Street Journal

3:30 – 4:20 PM – Suite 217 C/D

• Play Ball! The Role of Sports in Civil Rights: From Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali to the Dream Team and WNBA, sports have played a vital role in American history. This panel will explore how sports is covered locally and nationally, the biases that inform those narratives, and why diversity among the press ranks is important – and often stifled.
  • Moderator:
    • Nkwa Asonye, Editor, 6ABC
  •  Panelists:
    • OJ Spivey, Sports Columnist, The Philadelphia Tribune
    • Chris Murray, Freelance Sportswriter, Philadelphia Sunday Sun
    • Gary Washburn, National NBA Writer and Columnist, Boston Globe
    • Claire Smith, Professor, Temple University 

4:30 – 4:45 PM – Suite 200

• Closing Remarks

6:00 – 8:00 PM 

• Let’s Unwind: Post-Conference Happy Hour : After a full day of insights and innovation, it’s time to trade the lanyards for a glass of something cold. Please join us for a relaxed happy hour at Only Son Social located inside the Renaissance Downtown Hotel. It’s the perfect chance to recap the day’s highlights and connect with colleagues.
  • Only Son Social (Inside the Renaissance Downtown Hotel) | 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | This will be a cash bar event.

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