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1. Pam Moore into the NABJ Hall of Fame at the 2025 NABJ Convention.
2. Academy Award winning actor Lou Gossett Jr., at the 2015 NABJ Convention in Minneapolis, Minnnesota.
3. Six NABJ founders with Jesse Jackson at the 2018 convention in Detroit. Left to Right Paul Delaney, Bill Dilday, Sandra Dawson Long Weaver, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sandra Dillard, DeWayne Wikcham and Joe Davidson.
4. Micheal Days & Angela Dodson.
5. Warren Bell Jr., and Michelle Miller at the 2017 NABJ Convention in New Orleans.
6. Chuck Stone
7. Photo auction at the 2016 NABJ Convention in Washington, DC.
8. GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump at the 2024 NABJ Convention in Chicago
9. Gen. Colin Powell and NABJ President DeWayne Wickham at the 1989 NABJ Convention in New York City.
10. Black Cowboy rodeo( AI assisted)
Photos 1-9, courtesy of the Center for New Media
Founded in Washington, D. C., on Dec. 12, 1975, NABJ celebrated the golden anniversary of its creation last year. But it wasn’ t until the following year— in October 1976— that NABJ held its first convention, in Houston.
These yearly events are the beating heart of NABJ, whose membership has grown exponentially during a half-century of annual gatherings- a period during which the group has remained true to its core goals and values. These defining principles have been the important connectors for our members from one convention to the next.
The preamble to NABJ’ s constitution says the organization believes“ Black journalists worldwide should bind themselves together in an effort to increase Black employment in all forms of media, to increase the number of Black people in management positions, to encourage and educate young Black people interested in pursuing a journalism career, and to monitor and sensitize all media to racism.”
Since its first gathering, NABJ’ s annual conventions have elevated its founding principles in many ways. They provide student journalists with real-life work experiences across many media platforms, cutting-edge professional training, career fairs, and showcases of award-winning work. They also give our students and professional members exposure to national and international newsmakers and thought leaders.
Importantly, NABJ conventions recognize news organizations that excel in covering issues of significance to people of color – and hold news organizations accountable when their reporting on these issues is insensitive or stereotypical.
As I think about the history of NABJ’ s conventions, there is much to be remembered.
NABJ Conventions: The Early Years
Not all of the threads that now connect NABJ members were present in 1976 at our first convention. That
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