THE BYLINE-APRIL 2022 ISSUE

EMMY AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST MARCUS FOSTER SHARES 5 TIPS TO  LAND YOUR NEXT JOURNALISM JOB

By Jalondra Jackson

Marcus Foster

“I don’t care what they promise you. I don’t care what they say, unless it’s in writing—be weary of it. Whatever their promise is to you, get it in writing.” That’s the advice from Marcus Foster. He says it guided his 25-year career in journalism. “As journalists, we have to take people to places that they can’t go or don’t have access to.” Now, the WSB-TV’s Emmy-award-winning producer is offering you these tips on how to land your next journalism job.

1. Contracts

Foster says that if you must sign a contract, request an updated version that includes the “promises” made and what happens if your outlet can’t deliver. He adds this is especially important for Black journalists, who may not have as many connections in the business. Foster was the first among his siblings to pursue a career in reporting, so he had to forge his own blueprint through trial and error. 

2. Keep your eyes on the prize 

Foster says don’t have a “plan B”, go for the job you want. He adds that people often come into journalism looking for ways to work themselves up, “That used to happen a lot back in the day,” Foster said. But in today’s newsroom, more young journalists find themselves trapped in entry-level positions. “The way we are now, people and newsrooms are doing more with less. When you’re hired as a camera person in the studio, then that is your job—there is usually no opportunity to come off your job and experiment doing something else.” 

3. Your network is your net worth 

“If there is one thing I wish I could’ve done better as a student and young journalist, was networked, networked, and networked,” Foster said. He notes that the importance of networking and seeking a mentor helps when you need your ideas heard or help to get to the next level. Foster adds that when he first started out there weren’t a lot of black faces in his classes and ultimately the newsroom. “Being the Black male who went to college, wasn’t normal in my area,” Foster said. “It took awhile for me to come into myself being comfortable in the newsroom. When I started, I was the only Black male producer, sometimes only Black male, in the newsroom.” Now he hopes students and veterans alike can cultivate community in a more diverse landscape.

4. Shadow who you can. 

Similarly, his fourth tip considers the role of shadowing media professionals by which you are surrounded. “You need to introduce yourself to them. You need to find out what they are doing and become their shadow,” he said. Foster shares that it may seem intimidating, but it’s an opportunity for you to get experience. 

5. Be open to feedback and start small. 

Lastly, Foster encourages young journalists to start small to make room for growth. “I know everyone wants to be in a big city, but don’t get caught up in that; you’ll get there in time,” Foster said.

That’s what Foster did during his first job as a part-time photographer for the CBS station in Columbus, Miss. He spent his time driving from Oxford to Tupelo, back to Oxford. While covering sports and breaking news for northern Mississippi, he used that time to mold his career making mistakes along the way. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I’ve learned from those same mistakes. I think that’s a critical point in moving up and becoming solid journalists,” Foster said. 

“You want to be able to be in places where you can learn and make mistakes and not get fired for those mistakes or worse, ruin your name in the business. Are you doing yourself justice by missing that opportunity to gain experience and work your way up?” ###.

Jalondra Jackson is a junior journalism major at Clark Atlanta University.

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REMEMBERING A RISING STAR AND FRIEND

Marshall Latimore

By Tianna Faulkner

Just over a year after his death, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ) remembers Marshall A. Latimore, who was previously the chief content officer and editor-in-chief of The Atlanta Voice newspaper. Latimore was an advocate of Black student journalists, a champion of HBCUs and a great friend. Janice L. Ware, Publisher of The Atlanta Voice and team members share their thoughts about Marshall and the great impact he had at the paper and the writers he worked with.

Janice L. Ware, Publisher

Marshall’s presence and influences will be a part of the transformation in our newsrooms for years to come.  He was instrumental in the current digital transformation of our company. God puts people in your way while you are on your way who are destined not to be a part of your journey. But you would never get to your destination if God had not placed them in your way. The Atlanta Voice Family is blessed that God put Marshall Latimore in and on our path. He will be missed in ways I cannot describe. He will truly be missed and celebrated.

Dawn Montgomery, Chief Brand Officer

Since Marshall passed there’s been this hole in my heart. He was one of the most thoughtful people I knew and I miss our conversations about life. Marshall had this ability to understand exactly what I needed every time I connected with him. He saw me in ways that made me feel whole as a person & highly respected as a journalist. In so many ways, Marshall’s death has changed the way I process losing a loved one and it has challenged me personally to love up on my friends as much as I can. His spirit was so beautiful and he was a creative genius that held space for anyone that gave him time to share his mind. Marshall is tremendously missed, our newsroom has not been the same and I will forever dedicate my career to him. I miss you Marshall.

James Washington, President and General Manager

My favorite and quite incredible memory of Marshall revolved around his insatiable appetite for information. Rarely did I ever ask Marshall about a subject he was not well-versed on.

It is not often that you meet a kindred spirit let alone work with one almost every day. Marshall Latimore, was such a person for me. There wasn’t much we couldn’t or didn’t talk about with regard to the world in which we live. And then to be able to dream about the future of our business and our industry and work tirelessly to make those dreams come true was truly an incredible blessing for me. I have often said God puts people in your way while you are on your way who are destined not to reach your destination with you. But there is no way you could get there if God had not put them there in the first place. I am so thankful He put Marshall Latimore  in mine. Rest easy Marshall and watch what your presence has meant to The Atlanta Voice and know that I am now even a firmer believer that dreams do come true with a little insight, grit, determination and focus, and a whole lot of imagination. Thank you for sharing yours with me. See you when I get there…”Listen!”

The Atlanta Voice is an African-American community newspaper serving the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. The paper is published weekly on Fridays. For more information about The Atlanta Voice, visit www.theatlantavoice.com.

This issue of the Byline was edited by Tianna Faulkner, AABJ VP of Print.

THE BYLINE-MARCH 2022 ISSUE

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Left: Tia Mitchell, Right: Donna Lowry

Political Journalists Donna Lowry and Tia Mitchell Speak On Being Black Women In The Media Industry

Da’Zhane Johnson

Donna Lowry and Tia Mitchell, are used to interviewing governors and senators, but rarely are these two ladies on the opposite side of the table. Lowry is the host of Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)  “Lawmakers,” and Tia Mitchell is the Washington D.C Correspondent for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC). Between the two of them, they share more than six decades of journalism experience, but the road to their current positions has not always been easy. Both women. explained how their careers developed, despite the challenges they faced along the way. 

Donna Lowry’s 40-year-long career dates back to high school, where she participated in her school’s newspaper. However, her first official news job was at WEEK-TV in Illinois. She continued her career with various reporting jobs in Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. Lowry worked at NBC’s Atlanta affiliate 11Alive, where she spent 30 years of her career covering education issues. Her experience with education also landed her two different positions in two separate school districts, one being Chief Communications Officer for the Fulton County School District.

“That job was probably the hardest job I ever worked in my life because it was very involved and I was on call 24 hours a day,” Lowry explained. 

The job was challenging, but being one of the few black women in the newsroom was a struggle she had already overcome. 

“Early on it was said that we didn’t have the stamina, the foresight, and the abilities that men did,” Lowry began. “On a positive note, it did help to have black reporters who were able to report on things and could understand on a personal level. I feel blessed that I’ve had a chance to interview everybody from Civil Rights Leaders Coretta Scott King to Andrew Young.”

Tia Mitchell’s career started just south of The Peach State at her alma mater, Florida A&M University. After graduation, she was a staff writer for The Florida Times and a reporter for The Tampa Bay Times. As a reporter there, Mitchell says she experienced her level of disconnect, struggling with the difference in the company culture of these publications. 

“Jacksonville’s newspaper was a lot more casual. We were more empowered to be critical even of the paper on Twitter,” she started. “The culture at The Tampa Bay Times was more formal. So, the first thing I did was get a mentor. I went to the managing editor and said, “I need some help.”

Seeking out help and networking was the right decision for Mitchell. She vows the importance of mentorship and even revealed she still has a mentor for guidance. 

Furthermore, reaching out for that helping hand is what allowed her career in Florida to last over a decade. But, then she moved to Georgia as DeKalb County’s Lead Reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After two years in this role, she was promoted to  Washington D.C. correspondent. 

While more diverse faces are behind the scenes and in front of the camera, the challenges these women endured have not vanished. Mitchell spoke briefly about internal and external conflicts as a journalist. 

“I don’t want to be labeled ‘the angry black woman. I always ask myself how often do I speak up and how do I speak up? Those are all things I’m working through, in addition to, trying to do my job,” she stated. “But I still have to make sure the AJC is doing right by black people.”

Wading through those types of challenges is what drives Lowry and Mitchell to mentor the next generation. Lowry assists the Girls Scouts during her free time, and Mitchell is the chair of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Political Task Force. Mitchell says she didn’t take advantage of all of NABJ’s opportunities during her  undergraduate matriculation.  

“I went to an HBCU, so I thought, my J-School is black journalism. Why would I need to join NABJ? I just didn’t get it. But, my friends who did join, got all of these opportunities and I had to catch up. I want to help young journalists have what I did not have.”

Lowry said she wants younger journalists to think about all the challenges that come with this career path. “Make sure it is your passion. If you are a storyteller and you like writing, then you have to start there. From there, it’s relationships, relationships.” She continued, “Don’t be afraid to speak up. You don’t have to be disagreeable to disagree, just choose your words wisely.”

Those interested in the NABJ Political Task Force can subscribe to the mailing list here.

If you’d like to keep up with more of these ladies’ work, follow Lowry, @donnalowrynews, and Mitchell, @TiaReports. They post regularly on Twitter.

Da’Zhane Johnson is a Senior journalism student at Clark Atlanta University.

These Five Books by African American Women Journalists Are Great Reads You Can Add To Your Library

By Ariyana Griffin 

Scrolling down your timeline you’ll probably see a number of TikTok videos or even audio clips, but the power of the pen isn’t dead in the 21st century. Black women are now opening up about their experiences in journalism through new books and autobiographies. These vulnerable stories include the good and the bad about their trials and tribulations in their careers.  If you have some time this month, I encourage you to read the books from these five trailblazers. 

The first book is, “Crusade for Justice: The Autobiography of Ida B. Wells, Second Edition” by Ida B. Wells. Ida Bell Wells-Barnett was a groundbreaking American investigative journalist, an activist, educator, civil rights leader, researcher and one of the many founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Her hard work and dedication to the art of journalism and feminism have paved the way for many women today. Her autobiography gives a fantastic insight into her personal life which is a side of her we often don’t see. She is viewed as a strong Black woman, a fighter and a trailblazer, all of which she is and will forever be, but her autobiography allows her to open up to us about topics such as motherhood. 

 Another great must-read story by Ida B. Wells is “The Light of Truth.” This book covers more of her early works and articles, including some of her stories about the lynchings of African-Americans. Ida B. Wells began documenting lynchings against African Americans after her friends Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell and Henry Stewart were lynched because they were competition to a white grocery store owner. Some of the articles included in this volume helped to shape her career in journalism. Ida B. Wells’ archive collection is outstanding and shows her true testament to her community and activism. 

  The next book is ‘Trailblazer: A Pioneering Journalist’s Fight to Make the Media Look More Like America’ written by Dorothy Butler Gilliam. Ms. Gilliam was the first African American woman in the newspaper business at the Washington Post. She shares in her memoir the struggles surrounding but not limited to race and gender as well. A quote that shows just how much of a trailblazer she is is “My greatest reward was the respect of my reporters. Our mutual aim was to bring about a broader view of Blacks and write stories that showed them as full human beings.” Her autobiography gives direct behind the scenes to an amazing era in history and sheds light on the progression of journalism and newsrooms in America. 

 ‘Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman’s Life in Journalism’ by Belva Davis is an excellent autobiography about her life being the first black female television journalist in the western United States. Her career has been filled with heavy news headlines, which include but are not limited to Vietnam War protests, the AIDs epidemic, the rise and fall of the Black Panthers and many more. Davis shares her stories and perspectives through her book and includes the struggles and adversities that she faced as a Black woman in the world of media.  

 Last, but surely not least is the ‘The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story’ written by Nikole Hannah-Jones. She is a journalist, activist, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting and educator at Howard University. According to her website, “The New York Times’s 1619 Project commemorates the 400th anniversary of the beginning of slavery in what would become the United States by examining slavery’s modern legacy and reframing the way we understand this history and the contributions of black Americans to the nation.” The book includes contributors that are journalists and historians to help readers gain a better understanding of Black history and where it truly starts. The book has caused some controversy due to it pointing out the fact that slavery has been rooted in America’s history for far longer than we have been taught. However, it is an amazing read that allows hidden pieces of history to be awakened. 

These books don’t even hit the surface of the amazing books written by Black women journalists throughout the years, but they are definitely a great start. These books give insight into the lives of people who have come before us doing and fighting to do what they love, so journalists today can do what they love. Many of these women pushed past so many barriers, including gender, race and even what was considered “the norm.” We can celebrate the life and the hard, dedicated work that these women have put into their craft with these books. 

Ariyana Griffin is a senior journalism student at Clark Atlanta University.

This issue of the Byline was edited by AABJ VP of Print Tianna Faulkner and The Byline Chair Natalie Mendenhall.

THE BYLINE-FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE

AABJ members and supporters,

It is such an honor to serve as president of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists for the 2022-2024 term.

I can remember vividly the excitement I felt when I one of my very first printed articles appeared in these very pages. For a long time, The Byline has served as a platform for young writers to sharpen their journalism skills, and at the same time, informed our readers about stories that truly matter to them and our community.

I am certain that the levels of pride and excellence affiliated with The Byline will remain continuous under the helm of seasoned journalists Tianna Faulkner and Natalie Mendenhall. Our monthly newsletter will continue to be a significant source of information about those occurrences that matter most to our readers. Concurrently, The Byline will continue to mold and professionally develop another generation of young, Black Journalists. In doing so, we will ensure that our stories and voices are heard and respected.

I want to thank you for your continued support of this important publication, as well as AABJ as a whole. The Byline Team and I look forward to providing you with important and compelling content, as only AABJ can!

Sincerely,

Craig Allen Brown

President, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists

Morehouse College Expands Journalism Program

Ariyana Griffin

Students at Morehouse College who want to become journalists, now have a new way to reach their goals. They can now take journalism classes at Morehouse that will allow them to tell stories about drones, dive into hot topics in arts and entertainment, and even take a class on activism for Black athletes. These new courses are a part of a newly approved program called the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in Sports, Culture, and Social Justice.

The journey to get to this cross-disciplinary study started back in 2007 when Morehouse started its first sports journalism program. The college’s website says it was named after alumnus Spike Lee ’79 and the late Ralph Wiley, one of the first Black sports columnists to work at a major daily newspaper. 

The program was only accessible as a minor that had an emphasis on sports and was only available for students majoring in English. Ron Thomas, Director of the Journalism and Sports Program at Morehouse, says he noticed students who were not interested in sports would drop out of the program. To counteract that he started brainstorming the shift in the program three years ago. With the help of journalism professor Mikki Harris, Thomas drafted a new program which the college’s board of trustees approved last year. 

The three unique tracks will serve as concentrations within the major , allowing students to focus on what they are most interested in. Students will have to take six general journalism courses before taking four courses in the track that they declared. This opportunity will also help journalists off of Morehouse’s campus. It will be open to students from Clark Atlanta University and Spelman College through the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC)  cross-registration initiative. “We were thinking about what students in the AUC would be interested in and we came up with having a more wide range program. We wanted a bigger program, one with a bigger reach,” Thomas said.

Thomas is hoping to be able to give students experience with off-campus reporting if the pandemic allows.  In the past, he has taken students to attend the NABJ convention, cover Falcon games, prominent speakers, and more. The program currently has seven students majoring in journalism, and 22 students minoring. With heightened interest, he also has hopes that these numbers will grow. With the charge of  ‘Changing the Face of Journalism,’ and Morehouse’s Journalism and Sports Program, Thomas hopes to engage even more students. 

(Photo- Professor Ron Thomas,  Director of the Journalism and Sports Program at Morehouse College, hopes to engage more students with a new program.  Photo Cred: Morehouse.edu)

Ariyana Griffin is a senior journalism student at Clark Atlanta University.

Top 5 exhibits for Black History Month 

 By Elisheva  Wimberly

It’s officially February and AABJ wishes everyone a Happy Black History Month. If you’d like to celebrate this month but not quite sure how, here’s a list of the top five exhibits in Atlanta you should visit. 

1. High Museum of Art

What makes this February different from previous years at the High is the guests in town. “The Obama Portraits Tour” is on display now,through March 20, 2022.  In addition to the portraits of the former president and First Lady, children in grades K-12 can explore the Midtown museum’s featured black artists. Brian Donnelly brings his tour, “KAWS Prints” to center stage. The exhibit has sculptures, popular culture and fine art. Keep in mind that if you do visit the Obama portraits you must purchase a separate ticket from general admissions to book a slot.

2. African American Panoramic Experience (APEX) Museum 

The APEX Museum sits on Auburn Avenue in the Sweet Auburn historic district. It takes a look at the history from ancient African American civilization to the modern day, this experience will leave you remembering and even enlightened. You can visit the museum from Tuesday through Friday to walk through this timeless exhibit.

3.  The National Center for Civil and Human Rights

This museum is nestled in downtown but you don’t have to fight traffic to see their offerings. The center is hosting virtual programs for the entire month of February with the theme, “Truth & Transformation: Confronting the Past to Create An Equitable Future.” If you do want to see the works in person, note the average visit at the Center normally lasts approximately 70 to 90 minutes. Also, keep in mind when visiting the exhibit that safety measures have been put in place to protect visitors and staff and tickets must be purchased online prior to your visit.

4.  Brook Run Park

To honor Black History Month, artists LeMarques McClide, Moses Miyagi, and Elma Orr have contributed their artwork to be displayed along the Brook Run SkatePark perimeter fence. The large scale murals will be featured through the end of the month. 

5.  Noble Hill Wheeler Memorial Center

The Noble Hill Rosenwald School was built in 1923 as the first school for Black children in the Bartow County School System. This school was constructed and dedicated specifically for the education of Black children. Now, as a museum it features historical Black culture dating back to the late 1800’s. You can visit this historic site Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have time to stop by these museums and bask in art and the history of African American culture feel free to visit their websites to read on COVID-19 protocols and enjoy everything they have to offer for Black History Month.

Elisheva Wimberly is a freelance journalist who recently got her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Georgia State University.

Journalist Jewel Wicker (left), Joseph Ferguson (top right), and Eric Jackson (bottom right) describe what it’s like to write in Atlanta.

Three Atlanta Journalists Give Insight on Their Experience as Black Journalists 

By Ariyana Griffin 

Atlanta is known as the “Black Mecca” or “Black Hollywood” in today’s society. Being Georgia’s capital, Atlanta really does live up to that name.  The city has everything from arts and entertainment, culture, history, professional sports, popular music, and even politics. But what is it like to write in the Peach State’s largest city? Three Black journalists give us their insights for Black History Month. 

  Joseph Ferguson, @Joseph_Fergie, is currently a Social Media Producer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The newspaper’s website reports, “Joseph writes, hosts, and produces the Youtube series ‘Atlanta Journal-Constitution In Context.’ ” On the Youtube channel, Ferguson focuses on producing videos that explain and break down topics to help people better understand news-related topics. This style of journalism is evolving and becoming more popular due to more people engaging with the short clips on their timelines. Ferguson states this shift shows that the 154-year-old paper is willing to adapt. 

But at other papers that wasn’t the case for Furgeson. He says in the past others in the industry didn’t always take his voice and input seriously in his career. However, in Atlanta, he feels things are on a level playing field. “Here [Atlanta] I just have to perform and do good work. I really feel like I’m being judged off of the merit of my work”, he stated. 

Eric Jackson, @epjackson,  was born and raised in Atlanta. He later became a Sports Business Reporter for Sportico. His beat sits at the intersection of sports and business, meaning he pivots to cover what’s happening on and off the field as well. But before starting his journalism career,  Jackson struck out a fair amount. He had no journalism background in college and didn’t have a high-profile internship on his resume. His main words of advice to younger journalists would be, “know what you are getting into and to dream big. I think it’s easy to make yourself small.”

Jackson recently moved north to New York to cover more national news, but before working for Sportico, he wrote for The Atlanta Business Chronicle for over two years. “I don’t think there is a better city other than Atlanta to be a Black journalist,” Jackson stated. 

Freelancer Jewel Wicker, @jewelwickershow, would have to agree with those sentiments. She is another Atlanta native who has struck gold in the market. The entertainment reporter boasts bylines from publications such as GQ, Billboard and, NPR Music. Wicker says she was able to get the spotlight from national publications because of living in such a popular city. She adds that with more eyes turning to Atlanta reporters have a new purpose,  “I think we have a responsibility to tell a story that is often overlooked, and I try to do that in my work.” 

So whether it’s covering the latest breaking news of the day or a new song from some studio in Atlanta, there are plenty of opportunities for black writers. Atlanta provides Black journalists with the platform they need to have their voices heard while lifting others. 

This issue of the Byline was edited by AABJ VP of Print, Tianna Faulkner and Byline Chair Natalie Mendenhall.