THENABJ
CONVENTION’ S
later, the membership permitted presidents to run for consecutive two-year terms.
A key thread linking our conventions is the work NABJ does training the next generation of African American journalists through our Student Projects. Every year, college journalism students from across the country produce print, broadcast and digital news about our annual gathering and the host city. These Student Projects have launched the careers of many successful journalists, including ABC senior political correspondent Rachel Scott, who has been attacked by President Donald Trump for her probing questions, and Roland Martin, who has set an example for entrepreneurial journalism.
Rigorous preparation for our Student Projects begins weeks before each convention for the students and their professional mentors, who often miss much of the convention’ s programs because they dedicate their time to guiding and editing the young journalists.
Calling Student Projects“ an investment in the future of journalism,” Sheila Brooks, who first proposed its creation in 1989, said“ students leave with more than clips, videos and resumes— they gain confidence, lifelong professional networks, and a deeper understanding of journalism’ s responsibility to serve the public.”
With the support of Martin, who was then the newly elected student representative on the NABJ board, the Student Projects won board approval in March 1990.
“ Ultimately, the Student Projects represent the very best of NABJ – a commitment to excellence, equity, mentorship and opportunity,” Brooks recently said.“ They are where careers begin, where future newsroom leaders are developed, and where the organization’ s mission comes to life through the collective investment of students, mentors, and industry professionals working together.”
Allison Davis, an NABJ cofounder and a Student Projects mentor for many years, said“ watching students increase their skills in just one week has been great to watch. Taking part in that development is humbling.”
For Davis, the annual gatherings“ have been important in my personal and professional life for a number of reasons, but mostly the conventions are a reminder of what we started some 50 years ago, and its effect on generations of storytellers.”
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