National Association of Black Journalists facts for kids

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a group for African American journalists, students, and media professionals. It's a nonprofit organization, which means it works for a good cause, not to make money.

NABJ was started in 1975 in Washington, D.C., by 44 journalists. Their main goal is to support Black journalists and help them grow in their careers. They also work to make sure there are more diverse voices in newsrooms across the country. This helps ensure that news stories include different viewpoints and experiences.

The main office for NABJ is at the University of Maryland, College Park. As of August 2025, Ken Lemon is the president, and Drew Berry is the executive director. NABJ has about 4,100 members, making it the largest group for journalists of color in the United States.

NABJ also gives out special awards called the "Salute to Excellence Awards." These awards honor great news coverage about African American people and topics. Some famous journalists who have received awards include Lester Holt, Ed Bradley, and Gwen Ifill. The organization also has the NABJ Hall of Fame, which celebrates important Black journalists.

History of NABJ

The idea for the National Association of Black Journalists began with a group of journalists in 1967. The official founding meeting happened on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C. Many local groups of Black journalists helped create this national organization.

At that time, there were professional groups for teachers, lawyers, and doctors. Journalists felt it was important to have their own group too. A report from 1968 showed that Black people had a very small role in the news media. NABJ was founded to help more Black people work in mainstream media. It also aimed to change how Black people were shown in the news, making sure it was fair and accurate.

Who Started It?

Forty-four journalists helped start NABJ. They wanted to make a difference in the world of news. Some of these founding members included well-known journalists like Maureen Bunyan, Leon Dash, and Max Robinson. They worked together to create a strong foundation for the organization.

Annual Convention and Career Fair

Every summer, NABJ holds a big event called the National Convention and Career Fair. It's the largest journalism convention in the country. At this event, journalists can attend workshops to learn new skills and improve their careers.

Many important people have spoken at these conventions, including former U.S. Presidents. The convention also has a huge career fair. Hundreds of news companies and organizations attend to look for new talent. It's a great place for young journalists to find jobs in the industry.

Some of the big names that recruit at the career fair include NBC News, CNN, Google, and The New York Times. The first NABJ convention was held in October 1976 at Texas Southern University.

Future convention locations include Chicago in 2024, Cleveland in 2025, Atlanta in 2026, and Houston in 2027.

Scholarships and Support

NABJ helps students who want to become journalists. They give out over $100,000 in scholarships each year to African American college students studying journalism. They also help students get paid internships at news organizations. This gives students real-world experience.

NABJ also offers short courses for students at historically Black colleges and universities. These programs help students learn important journalism skills.

Special Interest Groups

NABJ has different groups called "task forces" for members who focus on specific areas of journalism. These groups help members connect and share ideas. Some of these groups include:

• Arts & Entertainment Task Force: For members who cover movies, music, and other arts.
• Digital Journalism: For those working with online news and new technologies.
• LGBT Taskforce: For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members.
• Sports Task Force: For reporters and analysts who cover sports.
• Visual Task Force: For photojournalists and graphic designers.
• Young Journalists: For members who are just starting their careers.

Awards and Honors

NABJ celebrates excellent journalism through various awards given at its annual convention. These awards recognize outstanding work and contributions to the field.

Journalist of the Year

This award honors a journalist who has shown outstanding work during the year. Past winners include Lester Holt and Yamiche Alcindor.

Legacy Award

The Legacy Award celebrates journalists who have had a lasting impact on the profession. It recognizes their long careers and important contributions.

Journalism Educator of the Year

This award honors teachers and professors who do an amazing job teaching journalism to students.

Student Journalist of the Year

This award is given to a college journalism student who shows great promise and talent.

Community Service Award

This award recognizes journalists who use their skills to help their communities and make a positive difference.

Emerging Journalist of the Year

This award highlights journalists who are new to the field but are already making a big impact.

Chuck Stone Lifetime Achievement Award

This is one of the highest honors, given to journalists who have had a long and distinguished career. It celebrates their entire body of work and influence.