Join us at the NABJ Convention & Career Fair! Hosted in Chicago, IL this year, the convention brings incredible Black journalists from all over to network, inspire and educate us all on the ever-changing world of journalism, media, business and everything in between. From check-ins from the NABJ President, Ken Lemon, to convention preparation meetings, the excitement is pumping as we’ve shared many tips about what to do before, during and after the convention, and we look forward to seeing you there and having a great time!
Stay up to date with the convention & career fair’s itinerary here. Download the EventPilot app to register for and organize the events you’d like to attend. Remember to stay safe and have fun!
Congrats to AABJ’s 2024 NABJ Convention Grant Recipients!
In support of continued professional development opportunities for students, AABJ has provided financial assistance for these students to attend the convention. The recipients are:
Janiya Ansah – Clark Atlanta University
Nilea Cosley – Clark Atlanta University
India Rice – Clark Atlanta University
Aveon Sims – Clark Atlanta University
Marquette “Hollywood” Walker – Georgia State University
Fun Things To Do In Chicago That’ll Have You Saying “Yes, Chef!”
By: Aaleah McConnell
Are you heading to Chicago for the NABJ convention? Here are a few great travel spots in the Windy City inspired by the hit TV-series, “The Bear,” and some other attractions that you don’t want to miss! The National Association of Black Journalists’ Convention and Career Fair is less than a couple of weeks away, and while many of us have been anxiously preparing to rub shoulders with industry leaders and influencers in media, I’ve been watching FX’s “The Bear” a lot.
In case you haven’t heard of this hit dark-comedy drama series, it follows the story of a young chef and his small kitchen staff as they transform a modest, family-owned sandwich shop into a Michelin star-worthy destination. So, if you’re wondering what this particular story about chefs has to do with the upcoming conference, other than both taking place in the Windy City, then let’s take a deeper look!
I think it’s safe to say this show draws viewers each week for its awe-inspiring look into the culinary world, which appeals to the pathos of chefs and foodies equally. But, what attracts many people to the program is its portrayal of the everyday person fighting tirelessly for the actualization of their ambitious dreams. Which many people, especially young professionals, can identify with.
The job hunt can be a mammoth undertaking for even the most seasoned professional. One thing I learned from my hours-long binge of “The Bear” is the importance of taking a deep breath and appreciating the beauty of the world around you. Even in the process of finding your next big break.
So here’s my guide to local landmarks and restaurants featured in the show (and some that are not) that will help you make every second count at this year’s gathering. And don’t worry, this guide isn’t riddled with fine dining spots that’ll leave a dent in your pockets and a hunger in your belly, but if that’s your thing, check these out!
If you’re also a fan of “The Bear,” then you know Chicago is bursting with great food spots. Some are Chi-town staples and have even made cameos on the show like Pequod’s Pizza, well-known for its deep-dish style pie laced with a caramelized crust.
Mr. Beef’s Deli and Margie’s Candies are amongst the historic foodie destinations featured in the show but there are new institutions making waves in the city, like Virtue Restaurant and Bar, a Black-owned eatery serving up fresh culinary ideas.
One of the city’s most attractive features is Lake Michigan, which offers 26 miles of shoreline to explore. You can take in these stunning views via the Chicago Lakefront Trail, which is an 18-mile-long pedestrian walkway connecting nearby beaches, parks and waterfront restaurants along a convenient path where you can walk, bike or rollerskate.
The Bronzeville Arts District is a mecca of Black culture and artists and is home to Gallery Guichard, which boasts a large collection of art representing the African Diaspora. Art lovers visit the Pilsen Neighborhood murals each year to view the work of many Latinx artists. Plus, this stop will earn you a check off of your “The Bear” sight-seeing list.
There’s so much to explore and learn about the Windy City, and this is such an exciting opportunity to experience the culture while networking with other journalists and professionals. See you in Chicago!
Enjoy this fun word search during your travels! You can also download it here.
This issue of The Byline was edited by Mya Grant, Vice President of Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), and Mandisa Johnson, Chair of The Byline.
Congrats Class of 2024! We wish all of our recent graduates the best in their future endeavors as they embark on new adventures. In this issue of The Byline, we featured three incredible student journalists who are making great strides early on in their careers. Education doesn’t necessarily end at the graduation ceremony, it just grows with you. So, remember to always be hungry for more, be teachable and keep striving for the best version of you that you can possibly be.
May Membership Meeting Recap
Special thanks to NABJ President, Ken Lemon, and First Lady, Kortni Lemon, for coming by and sitting in our monthly meeting. President Lemon shared some great information about the upcoming NABJ Convention, new things to come from the national organization and his positive remarks towards the chapter. We truly enjoyed having you Mr. President!
Vice President of Digital, Tyrik Wynn, hosted a very informational social media workshop for our members. From professional tips to content ideas, Wynn dropped tons of gems on how to be more social media savvy – and make some money from it, too!
Announcements:
The Byline continues its search for more writers. Please contact our VP of Print, Mya Grant, at myagrant3716@gmail.com for more information.
The 1st episode of “iN Contact” for 2024 is live! Watch it here.
July 31st – Aug 4th: NABJ National Convention, Chicago, IL
For more up-to-date information and access to future events, join AABJ today!
21-year-old Marquette “Hollywood” Walker Creates New Opportunities in Atlanta
Pictured: Marquette “Hollywood” Walker
By: Craig Allen Brown and Dijon Milow-Russell
Marquette “Hollywood” Walker has a tenacity for sports journalism that is exceptionally rare for someone his age. At just 21 years old, he has already garnered millions of views of his content with big name players in the sports industry. Currently serving as a sideline reporter for ESPN, Walker has demonstrated a relentless attitude that is sure to catapult him to the top of the sports broadcasting arena.
Originally from South Memphis, Tennessee, Walker credits his hometown with helping instill drive and a strong work ethic within him but increasing crime and violence caused him to consider a new place for his mother and him to reside. They collectively chose to move to Atlanta, as the Walker’s perception of the city was the new, Black media hub of the South. He didn’t know anyone in Atlanta but was confident that he could create a meaningful existence here.
Enrolling at Georgia State University was the first step. His initial interest in journalism was sparked by one of his high school teachers who also happened to be Memphis’ most renowned radio DJ’s, Stan “The Man” Bell. Bell would take Walker and other students to the local radio station every day during the school week to give students the opportunity to develop professionally. He even shared professional contacts with the students to promote future success in the areas that they chose to explore.
Walker believes his most impactful opportunity occurred at the 50th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination at Memphis’ National Civil Rights Museum. He commemorated Dr. King in front of thousands and left the stage feeling supremely confident in his ability to communicate effectively.
Once it became clear to Walker that a career in journalism was the answer for him, he didn’t waste any time. Instead of trying to align with a professional news organization, he used Linkedin and Instagram to directly connect with established sports stars. As a result, Walker has had the opportunity to interview NFL receiver and current podcaster, Brandon Marshall, NBA championship winner, Stephon Jackson, former NBA player, Darius Miles, and NFL Hall of Famer and current head football coach of the University of Colorado, Deion Sanders. His interview with Sanders went viral, accumulating over three million views.
As Walker began looking for more opportunities, he joined AABJ, was awarded the Olisteen Miles Scholarship, and contributes to the “iN Contact” broadcast team. He’s frequented several professional development opportunities, including the NABJ annual convention and the Black Sports Business Symposium. He’s also surrounded himself with others who push him to not only become a better journalist but a better person.
Walker credits his success to his devout faith. While many people his age are consumed with girls and “likes” on social media, Walker has achieved many successes that are much more meaningful. His ultimate goal is to become the “male Oprah Winfrey” as he continues to conduct viral interviews and tell impactful stories.
Perfecting Her Craft with Grace
Pictured: Grace Barlow
By: Radhiya Alston
As she finishes her first year at Spelman College, Grace Barlow reflects on her incredible accomplishments and role in journalism. Pursuing broadcast journalism, Barlow knows what it takes to continue her growth and knowledge in her college and professional career.
Native to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Barlow has been recognized for her extensive resume. During the summer of 2022, she produced a video with Philadelphia-based radio station, WHYY.
“I produced a video on gentrification and displacement from the University City Townhomes which impacted low-income families,” said Barlow. “They were only offering five hundred dollars for a single home occupancy to several Black families with five children.”
After producing this project with her team in 2023, Barlow earned her first Emmy award as a student journalist; the following fall, she chose to attend Spelman.
“I picked Spelman because I wanted to be surrounded by other Black women doing their thing,” said Barlow.
Barlow keeps her skills sharpened by writing for her school’s newspaper, The Spelman Blueprint, and anchoring for Morehouse College’s The Maroon Tiger. She enjoys being apart of the editorial staff and around other Black women who are also pursuing journalism, describing her first year as nothing short of a great experience.
One of the biggest highlights of her college career this year was interviewing Spelman College’s president, Dr. Helene Gayle. During their interview, Dr.Gayle shared with Barlow that being her authentic self is the way to being a true Spelman woman and Barlow lives by those words.
Another accomplishment of hers is being the only first-year student serving as an anchor for The Maroon Tiger. One of the most recent stories Barlow has worked on for The Maroon Tiger is the Spelman housing crisis, where she interviewed students who protested the lack of available housing on campus. Although these were exciting accomplishments, it did come with a few lessons which she is grateful for because it has helped her become a better journalist.
“I learned to slow down and trust my gut,” said Barlow.
She shared this knowledge and more during her appearance at the Taco Bell Foundation Pathways & Perspectives panel discussion earlier this year. Having faith in herself has been a driving force in the way she approaches her career and future and Barlow believes that others should think the same way.
Progressing towards her sophomore year, Barlow looks forward to perfecting her craft and becoming a better multimedia journalist. A huge congratulations to Barlow, as she’s been promoted to a managing editor position at The Spelman Blueprint. There are also a few summer programs she’s applied to and patiently waiting to hear back from.
As a fellow writer for The Byline, we wish Barlow nothing but the best as she continues to thrive as a student journalist. To follow Barlow’s journey, stay up to date with her LinkedIn page.
Freddrell R. Green, III’s Beginning of a Long-Lasting Legacy
Pictured: Freddrell R. Green, III
By: Mya Grant
College is the foundation of every aspect of our adult lives. We grow not only as students of our crafts but as individuals walking towards our greater purpose. Student journalist Freddrell R. Green, III is taking advantage of the opportunities available to him and molding them to help him leave a long-lasting legacy doing what he loves.
Green’s first interaction with journalism was when he was invited to a journalism camp through the Athens-Clark County High School Completion Initiative during the summer of sophomore year at Cedar Shoals High School. There he learned introductory information about journalism and met Richard Dunn, who’d become his mentor after the program ended. Through the program and under the guidance of Dunn, Green knew that journalism was for him.
“It was just such a very exhilarating experience,” said Green. “Because here’s this man showing me something that I could do with my basic writing skills that I never thought I could transition into.”
Once the program ended, Green took what he learned at the journalism camp and applied it to his student media career. He had the opportunity of hosting interviews with popular locals in his community and work as a broadcast editor at his student publication, Cedar Blueprints. Green believed that this was a great start into his journalism career that would elevate his college experience.
As a first-year student at Morehouse College, Green admits that this was not his first choice. Green initially had intentions to attend the University of Missouri for their reputable journalism program and the full-ride scholarship they were offering him but after doing more extensive research and understanding what he needed to thrive, he decided that Morehouse was the best choice for him.
“Even now, I’ve realized that there are so many other opportunities,” said Green. “There’s so much more opportunity here, journalistically, but it’s also a place where I can get just a genuine solid education.”
Green also says that the history and mission of Morehouse is what drew him to the university. He really wanted to be somewhere where he was nurtured in education and as Black man.
“It builds that solid groundwork of a true education,” said Green. “Not just going out to get a job.”
As one of the founding members of the Morehouse College Association of Black Journalists (MCABJ), Green believes that journalism is truly the study of everything. From gaining knowledge about your topic to understanding how to relay the information to an audience, there is so much to be learned and implemented in the way journalists operate. A well-rounded experience and continuous growth is what student journalists should aim for as they enter their career.
Through his involvement with MCABJ, Green notices that other student journalists aren’t as ambitious or committed to their craft. They see and go after the end-product but don’t take into consideration the work that goes behind it. Add the current state of journalism in the mix and it’s obvious that there’s some sort of disconnect. Green looks forward to opening those conversations and meeting other students to bridge the gap and elevate each other as the next generation of journalists.
As the owner of his media company, Greenlit Media, he wants to share more stories, show people what he can do with the skills he’s gained and contribute to the positive changes we’re seeing in the journalism industry today. Green wants to leave a legacy of leadership, service and action, and is well on his way. Visit his website and LinkedIn page to stay up to date with his work.
This issue of The Byline was edited by Mya Grant, Vice President of Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), and Mandisa Johnson, Chair of The Byline.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As an organization, we are mourning the loss of Jovita. She played an integral part in not only AABJ, but also as a presence in Atlanta. We understand many of our members were close with Jovita, and even if you did not know her personally, you may have felt connected to her through her work in the community. You can read more information about Jovita, her life and watch a very touching tribute video on WSB-TV’s website. AABJ has shared many memories with Jovita Moore through the story feature on our Instagram account.
AJC Higher Education Reporter Speaks on Challenges in Higher Education Learning
By Elisheva Wimberly
Eric Stirgus, AJC reporter
Eric Stirgus is the Higher Education Reporter at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He focuses on schools and universities throughout Georgia, primarily focusing on metro-Atlanta colleges and universities.
Two years ago, Stirgus focused on a variety of topics in higher education, including student loan debt, sexual misconduct and administration in higher learning. Today, Stirgus still covers those issues, but on a very small level. Stirgus looks at higher education from a completely different lens. About 90 percent of the issues he covers today are COVID-19 related, ranging from how colleges are managing the pandemic to the type of services they provide students. The Byline asked Stirgus if concerns of faculty are being heard regarding Atlanta colleges and universities not providing enough safety measures.
“Faculty will say no. They just finished weeks worth of rallies and demonstrations,” Stirgus said. “They want mask mandates and they’d like to have vaccine mandates but the University System of Georgia says no.”
The University System of Georgia (USG) strongly encourages faculty, students and staff to wear masks and get vaccinated, but Gov. Brian Kemp has been adamant that they don’t want to see mandates.
“The faculty are frustrated”, Stirgus said. “They feel the need to speak up and it keeps me quite busy trying to keep up with it.”
Stirgus said even through these rallies and demonstrations of protest from faculty he hasn’t heard much from students on the issue.
“In general, I feel like they’re supportive of these issues that faculty want but I don’t see them protesting,” Stirgus said. “I think that most of them want to be back on campus after over a year of not being on campus and experiencing online learning.”
The majority of students Stirgus sees on college campuses are wearing masks. However, the University of Georgia has had more positive cases than any other institution in Georgia.
When Stirgus visited UGA last week and went into the student center, he noticed half of the students present were not wearing masks. Last week, UGA had a big drop in their COVID-19 cases. Stirgus will be monitoring reports to see if the University of Georgia’s numbers show up low.
The Byline asked Stirgus if there’s a possibility of vaccine mandates becoming a requirement for all faculty, students and staff across the University System of Georgia.
“Biden has taken that step for federal workers and businesses with more than 100 employees but if he wanted to he would have done it by now,” Stirgus said. “If there is another spike, he might mandate it but we’ll see.”
Despite the feud over mask mandates, there are some positives to higher education according to Stirgus. He hears from many administrators and faculty. They share with him that remote learning has helped them become a lot more nimble in trying to find new ways to reach out to students. Stirgus says COVID-19 has given people in the education and outside world a better perspective of the challenges that it takes to be an educator.
“Before COVID I was writing on mental health,” Stirgus says, “That has become a greater challenge with COVID and they need to provide students with services that support their needs. Faculty realize those things are still very important.”
Compared to the University of Georgia, the Atlanta University Center’s (AUC’s) COVID-19 numbers have been very low, as they have been following mask mandates. Stirgus says they are different from the University System of Georgia because they require students to be vaccinated on campus. The AUC does not keep track of self-reported cases. And recently, they took the step last week to do weekly COVID testing. Along with the Atlanta UniversityCenter, Emory’s cases have also gone down.
Strigus believes the AUC is using more aggressive measures than the USG. Morehouse College and Spelman College have cancelled their Homecoming 2021 due to the lingering effects of COVID-19. Whereas universities such as UGA recently had 93,000 fans in their football stadium.
“A lot of schools are going full speed ahead,” Stirgus said. “I don’t see them adjusting.”
As for commencement ceremonies, Stirgus says the deciding factor on that decision will be the COVID-19 numbers.
“Hopefully the numbers will decline by commencement,” Stirgus says, “As long as we do what we have to do to keep the delta variant in check, I think we will see commencement ceremonies.”
Elisheva Wimberly is a student at Georgia State University.
Sandy Springs Mayoral Candidate, Dontaye Carter Discusses Career, Equality and Politics
By Da’Zhane Johnson
Dontaye Carter at City Hall in Sandy Springs, Georgia (Photo by Kevin Lowery)
Dontaye Carter is a Black man juggling a family, career, and now a campaign, proving once again that hard work and perseverance prevails. He is running for Mayor in the city of Sandy Springs against incumbent Mayor Rusty Paul, who has been in office since 2014, in hopes of providing a better future and world in which his young daughter can live.
While a sophomore in college at Florida A&M University, Carter already received his first journalism job at WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida. Inspired by his mother’s hard work ethic, Carter would wake up for work at 4 a.m. and then head to class at 9 a.m. He kept this routine for six months until the station promoted him to a producer. His success post-graduation matched his previous years too. Carter was a reporter in Tulsa, Oklahoma, then brought his talents to Atlanta.
The next couple of years, Carter continued reporting in the Georgia capital. Unfortunately, the work took a toll on his personal life, which caused him to switch careers.
“Personally, not only did I want to be a husband that was there, but a father that was there,” Carter said. “I wanted to be invested in my relationship, in my family, and I wanted to find something I was passionate about.”
The Fulton County’s District Attorney Office is where Carter found the passion he was searching for. While serving as a public affairs officer, Carter worked on cases that he felt had unjust verdicts. The case of four teens who were accused of murder specifically stuck with the mayoral candidate throughout the years. Often the cases showed signs of injustice and imbalance within the community.
Carter then decided to enhance the voices of unjust victims through his own business, Carter Media Group. The company served as a companion with attorneys to display the stories and challenges victims faced in their cases. In fact, Carter Media Group has been the public relations firm for several high-profile cases, like the case of R&B singer R. Kelly .
“I worked with Attorney Gerald Griggs, many of the survivors of that case and their families. We worked diligently because what we saw happening was everybody trying to turn that into a he-said-she-said case, but it was really a case about human sex-trafficking” Carter stated. “These plane tickets have to have these girls’ ages on them, so we put them out.”
Carter went on to speak about his work with the Jimmy Atchison case too. He recalled looking through files. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of keeping the public informed. Several agencies were even called to examine the case facts thoroughly.
Despite the backlash he’s recently received from some residents, Carter still believes politics is his best outlet for promoting change in Sandy Springs. He spoke of the significance of community, representation and trust. The three elements are key components to what has inspired him running in elections this year. The husband and father wants a city that, most importantly, gives his family a voice and protection, and obtaining the title of mayor will grant him access to create that city.
Sandy Springs is known to have a large white population and Carter has not ignored this fact. He understands that most residents of the city agree with the injustice displayed by policymakers in the past. Carter spoke in detail about his standards for people who are elected into office.
“There is nobody in office right now that I trust to take care of my daughter or anybody that looks like her. We have to put people in office that put their constituents first,” Carter stated. There was a lot of talk last year about change, but the way of those words haven’t met actions a year later. Until we get people in office whose words match their actions, we’re never going to be in an equitable society.”
While in office, Carter has explained before that he wants to focus on several issues, which include affordable housing, sustainable developments, schooling and diversity and inclusion. However, his passion for these issues does not negate from his immediate focus — managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter explained how he wanted to open the discussion of mandated vaccines to further the safety for all residents. The former reporter believes the conversation surrounding COVID-19 has been converted from survival to political.
“I know the mandating has been so politicized, but the reality of it is, in Fulton County, your child has to get 14 vaccinations before they start school,” Carter said. “We’re already getting vaccines, one more vaccine to ensure that people are going to survive is vitally important to me.”
The details of Carter’s campaign can be found on www.dontayeformayor.com. Election day is November 2.
Da’Zhane Johnson is a student at Clark Atlanta University.
Atlanta City Hall Reporter Speaks Politics
By Ariyana Griffin
Wilborn P. Nobles III covers City Hall for the AJC.
Wilborn P. Nobles III is a journalist with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), where he covers Atlanta City Hall. He originally joined the AJC staff to cover DeKalb County Public Schools in November 2020. Earlier this year, he started to cover Atlanta City Hall. He previously worked for The Baltimore Sun covering the government. There he covered police shootings, housing discrimination and other things revolving around issues within Baltimore County, Maryland. Nobles also interned at The Washington Post, where he covered local news. Additionally, the Louisiana native covered education for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans.
With politics being prominent in Atlanta right now due to the upcoming mayoral election, Atlanta residents also have to vote for a new council president and an entirely new city council, and the Atlanta Public School Board.
All 15 seats for the Atlanta city council are up for election. Among those 15 seats, six of those seats will not be filled by an incumbent due to leaders running for other positions or just not running for re-election. Nobles, however, is solely focused on covering the Atlanta Mayoral election. Early voting began on Oct. 12 and ended Oct. 29. The general election will take place on Nov. 2.
Each local election is crucial and dictates the future of a community, including where tax dollars go.
“Super voters are people who vote in every election. No matter if it has something to do with the president or raising taxes or legalizing some new aspect or service to the city,” Nobles said. There is also a large group of people who are “apathetic” because they feel like the elections do not care about them or their community, an issue Nobles found prominent in Atlanta. Some people also do not believe that the vote counts or is essential, making them sceptical to go out and vote. Nobles explained that it is crucial to learn and research people who are running for office or who are interested in running for office so people can be informed and then participate.
“Black voters are concerned about affordable housing, career opportunities, and public safety. The latter issue includes both crime and police reform,” Nobles explained.
Nobles said he always wanted to cover politics and government to help hold politicians and leaders accountable. His advice to reporters or anyone when covering politics is simple.
“As a new reporter on the beat, they want to give you their best impression, but it is important for you to do your homework, ” he said. “Talk to people and read what’s been written about them, any sort of homework you can do ahead of time.”
He said that as a journalist, your first obligation is accountability and transparency.
For more information, you can follow Wilborn Nobles or read his articles about the Atlanta mayoral race at www.ajc.com.
Ariyana Griffin is a student at Clark Atlanta University.
K-12 Reporter Gives Insight on how COVID-19 Affected Metro Atlanta Schools
By Ariyana Griffin
Kristal Dixon is the K-12 reporter for Axios Atlanta Local News
Kristal Dixon was an education reporter covering Cobb County for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). She now serves as the K-12 reporter for Axios Atlanta local news, a publication that will be launching in October. She has also covered some public safety issues in Cobb County. Due to unprecedented times, there has been plenty to cover when it comes to the school systems, and here is what she has to say about that.
How did you get into education reporting and journalism?
I have always wanted to be a journalist since my teenage years, so I started focusing on that. I worked at the school newspaper at the University of West Georgia and I just continued my career that way. I started covering K-12 education in my first full time reporting job at the Cherokee Tribune in August 2007. I covered K-12 education for about three or four years. I took a bit of a break from it because I started covering the County Government Beat, and later started working for Patch.com. I kept following K-12 education for the last several years, but when I was hired at the AJC in February 2019, I kept that up. I narrowed my coverage down to Cobb County. In February of 2021, while I was at the AJC, I was promoted to the education team to cover Cobb and DeKalb County schools.
What are some key issues that you have noticed K-12 students face?
Right now, obviously the COVID-19 Pandemic is a brewing issue that schools have been contending with for the last 18 months. Also the COVID-19 pandemic actually brought to light a lot of inequities that school districts saw when it comes to K-12 education. A lot of districts realized that other students did not have the technology that they needed at home to do their virtual lessons. So a lot of districts began to fundraise and partner with community organizations to get laptops and hotspots donated for their students. Because of this, a lot of districts are contending with what they call a “learning loss.” They are actually checking in with students to see how much they’ve been able to retain, how much they may have gained, or how much they may have lost during the pandemic. Those are the two main issues that are happening right now.
Tell me a little more about the upcoming publication, Axios.
We haven’t launched yet, I am in training right now. We are going to launch a new Atlanta site. Axios has an initiative that they want to open websites that cover news featuring various topics in different communities around the country. Atlanta is one of several sites that they plan to open in 2021. My job will entitle writing stories that will go in a daily newsletter. We launch on October 4, 2021. We will be covering news around Atlanta. I would be interested in continuing to watch K-12 education at Axios.
Have you branched out and covered any stories on higher education?
Kennesaw State, located in Cobb County, was having a housing shortage for its students. They decided to break ground on some apartments that would house students who attend Kennesaw State.
What were some of your biggest stories you have covered regarding public safety?
One story I covered last year was police departments using license plate readers to help them solve crimes. They put them up in certain intersections or neighborhoods that they believe are “problem areas.” Anytime a vehicle has been flagged as being connected to a crime, whenever that vehicle passes through the license plate reader, the police department knows that this vehicle is connected to a crime possibly in that area. This is not really public safety related, but it is along the lines of law enforcement agencies.
I did cover some jail deaths at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center. Since December of 2018, there have been nine in custody jail deaths at Cobb County Adult Detention Center. It became a flashpoint in the 2020 elections of the Cobb County Sheriff, which the long time incumbent Neil Warren lost to incumbent Sheriff Creg Owens. This also led a lot of people who had family members that were detained at the jail and the ACLU of Georgia to reach out and bring attention to the conditions of the jail. There were also some issues with a lot of vacancies at the Sheriff’s Office, which some people say contributed to the lack of adequate staffing at the detention center.
For more information about Kristal Dixon, you can follow her at @KristalDixon.
Ariyana Griffin is a student at Clark Atlanta University.
This issue of The Byline was edited by Tianna Faulkner and Amir Vera.
Journalists provide post-Election Day analysis for Morehouse College event
By Elisheva Wimberly
A week after Election Day, Morehouse College’s Journalism and Sports Program hosted its annual post-election analysis discussion. The college has held the discussion since Barack Obama was elected president in 2008.
Led by program director and Morehouse College professor Ron Thomas, this year’s event, which included a panel discussion with diverse journalists, focused on the presidential race, Georgia Senate runoffs and the state’s transformation to a “blue state.”
NBC News White House correspondent Geoff Bennett said covering President Donald Trump changed his life and spoke on what made the past for years difficult for him as a reporter.
“You can’t trust people who are saying things which are close to the president,” Bennet said. “The biggest part is separating the noise.” Bennett said relaying words precisely as they appear from President Trump is crucial in not hiding the truth.
Morehouse College hosted it’s annual post-Election Day analysis event. (Credit: Morehouse Journalism & Sports Program).
“If the president is using racist language, call it racist and not racially charged. Be empowered in the newsroom and say it on air.”
Panelists also discussed the varied reactions to Kamala Harris becoming Vice President-elect. Christina Greer, a Fordham University at Lincoln Center political science professor, has reviewed women’s history in politics over time and said President Trump’s resistance to accept the election results is not about Joe Biden, but Harris.
Biden will be 78 years old on January 20. If inaugurated, he will be the most senior president ever to take office, and could lead to Biden not seeking a second term, Greer said.
“They cannot fathom a Black woman, an Indian woman, a child of immigrants, a graduate of an HBCU possibly as a leader of the free world,” Greer said. “It’s not about Joe. I think it’s about this idea that a black woman could be in charge of the United States of America.”
The divide between both the Democratic and Republican parties in this country has led Greer to believe we’re at a point of no return.
“We’ve shown time and time again in the past four years that white supremacy, anti-Black racism, and patriarchy are the foundation and bedrock of this nation, and we have not moved very far away from it,” Greer said.
Apart from the presidential race, Georgia will have two Senate runoff races between Democratic nominee Jon Ossoff and Republican incumbent David Perdue and between Democratic Nominee Rev. Raphael Warnock and Republican appointee Kelly Loeffler.
“It’s important to note over the past 20 years, Democrats have always lost the runoffs. But their showing in the 2018 runoffs was stronger than it has been,” Morehouse College political science professor Adrienne Jones said. “For this particular runoff election, all eyes are on Georgia. Hopefully, people will stay motivated and realize the high stakes.” Jones added Biden and Harris’ ability to run the government will be enhanced by Georgia democrats winning the Senate races.
“There’s a risk in both races, but this is a different kind of runoff Georgia has seen before,” Jones said. “We should expect different and improved results.”
Republicans invested in Latino voter registration all over the country. President Trump received Latino support in Florida and Texas. Mariela Romero, the producer of Univision news magazine Conexión Fin de Semana, said the support of a Hispanic person comes from either what country they’re from or where their family is from.
Romero said many Latinos voted for Trump due to false claims that Democrats are socialists. Ads compared Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to Venezuelan socialists and Cuba’s Castro family.
“It was shocking. It was completely false,” Romero said. “It executed rapidly, and people were fighting like the democrats were the worst thing that happened to this country.”
Many Latinos living in rural areas are also exposed to talk radio. Romero said Democrats have to do a better job in reaching those communities, adding the message that comes from propaganda, social media, and radio is compelling.
Romero also said religion plays a role: Many Latinos are Catholic or becoming Evangelica and some of those churches are very anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion. While Trump lost the support of white Catholics, he gained approval from Latino Catholics, she said.
“The lesson for the Democratic party is: The Latino electorate is too diverse to pigeon hole,” Romero says. “Democrats have to send targeted Latinoes to the Hispanic community.”
Elisheva Wimberly is a student at Georgia State University.
Robin Roberts inspires women during United Way leadership breakfast
The intimate event was a virtual conversation with topics ranging from the progress of women to how COVID-19 and racial injustice have thrusted issues of inequity into the headlines.
“We’re not complaining — we’re explaining. Full justice is not served until those who are not affected are as outraged as those who are,” Roberts said.
Monica Kaufman Pearson, a retired anchor for WSB-TV, served as moderator for the program. Pearson, a staple in Atlanta, has a long friendship with Roberts. Back in 2012, Roberts served as emcee for Pearson’s retirement party held in the Fox Theatre while battling her newly diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS.
Robin Roberts spoke about her career and triumphs at the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s annual women’s breakfast. (Credit:United Way of Greater Atlanta)
As keynote speaker, Roberts detailed the highs and lows of her lifetime. She fondly shared her journey to becoming a successful anchor and the struggles of being a Black woman in journalism.
“I made it very clear: I am proud of who I am doing the work like everyone else,” Roberts said. She recalled working multiple jobs, even working as a school bus driver on her quest to make a name for herself in media.
The youngest of four children, Roberts grew up in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
“I grew up knowing 3 D’s in my family: discipline, determination and da-Lord.” The euphemisms instilled by her family led her to the path of success and stressed the importance of a familial unit.
Before landing a permanent role as co-anchor for Good Morning America in 2005, Roberts worked with ESPN for 15 years, hosting Sportscenter and covering the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Roberts also helped shape ESPN’s coverage of women’s college basketball. Her reporting repertoire earned her many accolades throughout her career, including the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and an induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.
But apart from her success, Roberts had her share of struggles. In 2012, Roberts was diagnosed with MDS, a rare blood disorder affecting the bone marrow. Rather than dealing with the diagnosis privately, Roberts became a public advocate using her platform to spread the message and encourage viewers to become more educated on the diagnosis. The coverage of her diagnosis earned her a Peabody Award. Roberts believed she was a messenger as a public figure to overcome adversity and inspire others worldwide.
“It’s not what you accomplish, it’s what you overcome to get there,” she said.
Greer Wilson is a recent Spelman College graduate.
Georgia State student recounts virtual NABJ student project experience
By Tyrik Winn
Georgia State University student Tyrik Wynn participated in his first NABJ/NAHJ virtual convention this past summer as part of the organization’s Student Projects.
The program provides students with reporting, writing and leadership experience during the convention held in August. Initially, Wynn wasn’t sure if he would be able to participate in the program, but program organizers learned of his journalism experience and brought him on board. Wynn shared his experience about NABJ Student Projects with AABJ:
When I first joined the project, NABJ hosted anchor auditions for the newscasts. The next day, I was able to meet everyone who was a part of the project, and try out for the anchor audition. The mentors said I did an amazing job with reading the script, but they said I was extremely loud and I needed to tone my voice down. I took their advice and began to work on volume control while on camera.
Shortly after the audition, Denise James, one of my broadcast mentors, gave me my next assignment which required me to produce three packages within one week. When the convention week came, I was ready and thought student projects were going to be a breeze, I was sadly mistaken. I had my work cut out for me.
Tyrik Wynn (Credit: Tyrik Wynn)
Since I had three packages, I had to schedule over 10 virtual interviews. I was also told I had to anchor two newscasts as well. I was learning how to work under pressure and tackle multiple projects at once.
One of my news packages focused on Dorothy Tucker’s first year as NABJ president. My other two packages were on NABJ elections and the NABJ/NAHJ’s first joint virtual convention.
Working on Tucker’s first year as NABJ president was my favorite assignment because I was able to interview her, which I considered a big honor. Tucker opened up to me about her first year and even talked about her experience having the coronavirus and how it affected her work.
The schedule for the NABJ Student Projects was very demanding. Each day, we began at 9:30 a.m. and my workday often ended with late nights. For one week, my life revolved around student projects; I couldn’t focus on anything else.
Tyrik Wynn is a junior at Georgia State University.
AABJ Members can donate money to AABJ using their Kroger Card
Did you know that AABJ is part Kroger’s Community Rewards program?
Yes, every time you use your Kroger Plus card when you checkout at any Atlanta division Kroger location (Georgia, east Alabama and South Carolina), AABJ can earn money — but you must sign up online for a Kroger.com account.
Signing up for a Kroger.com account also allows you to manage your card information, including address, phone number (in case you don’t have your Kroger Plus card, you can still get your savings by entering your phone number on file), track your fuel point, load digital coupons to your card and if you are a Kroger Pharmacy customer, even manage your prescriptions and refills.
This is edition of The Byline was edited by Raisa Habersham and Tianna Faulkner. The Byline will be taking a hiatus for Decemeber and will return in January. Have a happy holidays and new year!
AJC Washington Correspondent talks elections, Black voters and Georgia’s role in the election
By Elisheva Wimberly
With Election Day fast approaching, long lines are already wrapped around early voting locations in Georgia — a state considered battleground territory this presidential election and one that has come under fire for rampant voter suppression. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Washington, D.C. reporter Tia Mitchell has a virtual front seat to all the action.
Mitchell came to the AJC in 2017 after covering crime, education, local government and state politics in Florida with various newspapers. As the AJC’s Washington correspondent, Mitchell covers Georgia’s delegation and national issues for a Georgia audience. The Byline spoke with her about the upcoming election season and the roll Georgia plays in it:
Q: What does this election mean for Black voters in Georgia?
TM: This is a very important election because people realize that it matters who represents you in all government levels. The President of the United States is one. The President of the United States has a tremendous amount of executive powers. We see it play out as far as the Supreme Court, and we see it play out as far as healthcare and abortion rights; we’re seeing it play
Tia Mitchell, AJC Washington Correspondent
out as far as immigration, policing, and racism. We should remember we have to pay attention up and down the ballot because yes, who is president matters, but the Congress members also matter. As voters, we have to decide which policy we like best and use that to inform us of who we want to represent us in Washington.
Q: How do you think we, as voters, should take time to learn about the candidates?
TM: It’s a personal responsibility and a civic duty. We talk about the “John Lewises” of the world and the Civil Rights leaders. We say we honor them. Well, John Lewis laid his life on the line many times for African Americans’ right to be able to vote. It wasn’t easy, we romanticize it, and now that Black folks have been voting for a generation, it’s easy to take it for granted. If we truly say we want to honor him and others, we’ve got to spend a little time doing our part. You have to take half an hour to google the candidates and see what they’re talking about. You have to take 15 minutes to tune into their debate or read articles about the race. You can go to the AJC or your local paper to see what’s being written about them. Take a minute and google them so you can see on their websites what they care about.
Q: How do you feel about Georgia being a purple state? What are some key races in Georgia? How does it feel that Georgia is a battleground state?
TM: It’s really interesting to see Georgia enter the conversation as a battleground state. I’m always skeptical because most of my career was in Florida, a battleground state. In the past 10 to 12 years, statewide elections have all been won by Republicans. For me, it’s harder to say Georgia is purple, but we cannot deny Georgia is purpling. We can’t deny how close Stacey Abrams got (to being elected Georgia’s first Black woman governor), but the question is: Is this the year a Democrat finally wins statewide in Georgia. Trends have to start with Democrats winning statewide to say that Georgia is a purple state.
Q: What are you covering election-wise right now?
TM: Because of coronavirus, it changed. I’m not doing as much traveling as I used to. However, we’re still covering the debates, covering the candidates, and covering the fact that Joe Biden is more competitive in Georgia than any Democrat has been in recent years. We’re also covering endorsements and advertisements, and I’m covering congressional races. I plan to travel to Atlanta ahead of the general election to cover the final days of the general election campaign.
Q: Are you expecting any surprises in this upcoming election?
TM: It’s hard to say because it’s so unpredictable. When I started in Washington, we were covering impeachment. We never thought we’d be writing about a pandemic. I don’t know if anyone predicted how competitive Joe Biden would be in Georgia. Things come up, scandals come up, and it’s just never what you would expect.
Q: Aside from being an AJC reporter, you’re also chair of the NABJ Political Task Force. How did you get started with the task force?
TM: In early 2019, one of the major news networks announced their political task force team, who will be covering the presidential race, and their team was all white. Everyone was coming for that network, saying their team had no diversity. NABJ, rightfully so, put out a press release saying the lack of diversity was a problem. And Marlon Walker, NABJ’s VP of Print at the time, told me to send him a proposal after I told him there was no action being done. And I said that’s what I get for opening my mouth. At the time, I was just a local government reporter, but I had a passion for politics.
It was always hard to get my foot in the door, even in NABJ, because there weren’t many political journalist opportunities. I saw there was a political task force, but they weren’t very active. I started reinvigorating the task force. We had elections, and that is when I was elected chair. I connect managers to our task force, who want a diverse staff.
Since then, we’ve had programs, webinars, and networking events in Atlanta. We share ideas, resources, best practices, and job openings. We’re currently increasing our board so more people can work on the task force.
Q: What tips can you give people who are engaging in political reporting
TM: For me, it’s two things. Some journalists have an ultimate goal, and everything they do is an incriminate step toward that goal. I am not one of those people. I’ve always been someone to look at the opportunities before me and either pursue it or don’t. I started as a night cops reporter right out of college. I tried it, enjoyed it, and got a local government job through my educational beat. I realized then that I liked political and government reporting. I wouldn’t have known that had I not tried it. One of my pieces of advice is to try it. Even if it appeals to you in a small way, try it. Take those opportunities that come before you because you never know what doors it’ll open. Take those opportunities but also make your opportunities.
Elisheva Wimberly is a senior at Georgia State University and a member of the school’s NABJ student chapter.
AABJ webinar explores the challenges in recruiting athletes in NASCAR, baseball
By Greer Wilson
If you were to count the number of Black athletes on your fingers and toes, you’d probably wouldn’t have enough to finish the count. Black athletes comprise 74% and 70% of the NBA and the NFL, respectively. But when you look at other major sports, such as NASCAR and Major League Baseball (MLB), Black people are highly underrepresented.
On opening day this year, Black players comprise 7.8% — 80 players — of 30-man rosters, injured and restricted lists, according to an analysis by USA Today Sports. In NASCAR’s 73-year history, only two Black drivers have competed in the sport’s full Cup series: William Darrell “Bubba” Wallace and Wendell Scott, according to a Washington Post article about the lack of diversity in the sport.
Pictured from top to bottom: NASCAR Senior Team Coordinator Jasmine Neely about and Fox Sports Associate Producer David Cason
The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists hosted “Minorities in Sports,” a webinar that focused on Black journalists covering sports that lack racial diversity. The webinar, which featured NASCAR Senior Team Coordinator Jasmine Neely and Fox Sports Associate Producer David Cason, also covered the limited reporting opportunities Black journalists have in sports reporting compared to their white counterparts.
Neely, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, was introduced to the auto racing company after accepting the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Internship as an undergraduate student. Neely said she was not exposed to Nascar growing up, but was drawn to the sport while working as an intern.
After experiencing a positive work environment as an intern, Neely sought out full time employment with NASCAR. During her tenure, she was a part of discussions for NASCAR to remove the Confederate flag, which was steeply associated with the sport.
This past June, Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR’s top racing series, publicly made a plea for the organization’s removal of the Confederate flag.
“I think even before that, when the George Floyd situation happened, we had come together as a company more so in a smaller setting on Zoom of course,” Neely said. “It was a NASCAR ally counsel, and I was excited to be a part of it.”
Cason was inspired to work within the sports field, after watching Atlanta Braves games with his mother growing up. The Atlanta native accepted a position with Fox Sports, which deepened his love of baseball.
“We did the Braves post-game shows, which led me to being in the locker rooms and eventually being able to travel with the team,” he said.
Both panelists work in sports industries typically not occupied by blacks. While both acknowledged the lack of diversity within their respective companies, they also emphasized the importance of representation needed within the spaces.
“I think the reason African Americans are not drawn to baseball, at least as of yet, is for one it’s slow, and it’s kind of boring to some people. There’s not alot of us that play baseball professionally, on (television),” Cason said. “If you don’t see someone that looks like you, you don’t have representation. You don’t relate to it. It’s also an expensive sport to play. Whereas with basketball and football you just need a ball and some friends. Baseball, you need a ball, bat, gloves, a big open field to play.”
Despite the challenges and accessibility of the sport, Cason said he hopes interest of baseball in the Black community will return.
“I know there’s a lot of programs to get young people more involved with baseball,” he said. “Baseball’s trying to promote the younger players. The Afro and Latino players are being promoted a lot. Hopefully more diversity, and people who look like us will start participating in baseball.”
Despite preconceived notions people have about the sport, Neely said NASCAR is working to attract more coverage that will lead to a more diverse audience, but she said there are challenges.
“African American media are not quick to cover NASCAR because of the stigma that is put on it. Things that people have heard about in the past, I do get those questions ‘Hey are there Confederate flags?’ ‘The people there, are they racist?’ I get those questions,” Neely said. “It’s really just a matter of seeing for yourself and coming with an open mind. That’s how we get new people to cover the sport.”
Greer Wilson is a recent Spelman College graduate.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
AABJ offers digital events for members
Througout October and November, AABJ is hosting series of digital workshops focused on repprting, podcasting and mental health. Be sure to check your email for the Zoom registration link for these upcoming events:
October 27 at 6 p.m.: Mental health workshop with MIMs Connect November 12 at 7 p.m.: Podcasting Workshop with Pope Productions November 19 at 6 p.m.: Writing for Digital Workshop with MIMs Connect
NABJ hosting its digital and joint regional conference
The National Association of Black Journalists is hosting its first-ever virtual, joint regional conference Nov. 21. Members can register for the daylong conference for $35. The registration deadline is November 18, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
This edition of The Byline was edited by Tianna Faulkner and Raisa Habersham.
AABJ President talks Black Twitter’s reaction to his Verzuz battle story
By Amir Vera
We’ve all seen what happens when you cross Black Twitter.
When someone who isn’t in tune with the culture gets relentlessly attacked for being anti-black, clueless or simply having a controversial opinion. Black Twitter can and will fry you without mercy.
I knew that and yet had no idea I would be the next victim between the night of April 18 and stretching all the way until the evening of April 20.
It all started with a simple story idea. Like many R&B fans, I had been anticipating the Verzuz Instagram Live battle between singer-producers Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Teddy Riley. But things didn’t go according to plan because of technical issues, specifically on Teddy Riley’s end.
As a viewer, I thought it was funny, but as a journalist, this immediately looked like a story for CNN. So I wrote the story with the headline “Instagram Live battle between Babyface and Teddy Riley was a complete fail.” The headline wasn’t inaccurate. The two artists attempted to do something and it didn’t happen. Thus, it was a fail.
There were also no issues with the reporting; everything I had written was either based on social media feedback of the failed live or posts from the artists themselves.
Black Twitter’s main criticisms were the “harsh” headline and many thought it unfair I wrote about the failed Verzuz as opposed to writing about the other successful battles.
And so began the barrage of comments, including calling me an Uncle Tom and a token and chastising me for “telling the family business” on what many see as a mostly white platform.
I was unfazed by thecomments; as a journalist, I know my work will be critiqued. However, I was baffled by comments saying CNN had no right to cover the event, and instead preferred the event be covered by Black cultural websites Vibe, Complex, or BET.com.
Part of the reasoning is some view CNN as a platform that doesn’t cover cultural events like the Verzuz battles, but instead focuses on hard news and politics. The deeper issue wasn’t with me or the headline. It was the fact people felt CNN had invaded a black space and used a token (me) to invade that space.
I can tell you that’s simply not true.
While some would feel pigeon-holed by being the “black reporter” — which often happens in newsrooms — I believe it is my mission to report those stories that otherwise wouldn’t be reported at CNN.
I later wrote a follow-up to the Riley and Babyface battle, but not because of the lashing I took on Twitter. The world needed to see what happens when two legends (successfully) go head-to-head. I’ve also reported on the other Verzuz battles since then because if I didn’t write them, who would?
Amir Vera is president of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists.
Outgoing NABJ VP-Print on his advocacy for Black print journalists
By Marlon A. Walker
NABJ doesn’t care about print journalists.
That could easily be rephrased to be put in a better light, but many members of the largest advocacy organization for journalists of color feel that way, often cast aside for their more visible broadcast counterparts.
That doesn’t mean the work stops.
The job of a print journalism advocate within the confines of the National Association of Black Journalists can be best reflected through the main conflict many black journalists face in mainstream newsrooms across the country as they seek to tell stories from black communities. That people outside the black community have to be convinced there is, indeed, relevance in issues those outside do not see or understand.
Marlon Walker, NABJ Vice President of Print.
Black journalists get it. Black print journalists also fall victim to the same ideologies, being forced to convince others outside print newsrooms of the relevance to their concerns.
“There’s something to the premise that you’ve got to be a part of something to understand it,” the late Roosevelt Wilson told me several years ago as I sought to better understand my role as NABJ’s vice president of print.
Wilson was a retired professor in Tallahassee, Fla., at Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication and a long-time journalist who spent 18 years as publisher of the Capital Outlook, the city’s black newspaper. He had been my teacher at the school, my boss at the paper.
“Diversity for diversity’s sake – I can’t make a case for that. It’s like having a plain cake but putting the layers in various colors. It’s the same cake. That doesn’t mean it tastes any differently. If you want a rainbow cake, you get a chocolate layer, a strawberry layer, and so on.
“That’s where I think there’s miscommunication.”
Again, that doesn’t mean the work stops.
Through conversations with mentors, former professors, newsroom leaders, and reporters across the country, I developed programming outside of the annual convention that would speak to the deficiencies seen in professional development offerings. NABJ’s current model for success includes an annual conference heavy on digital resources and a career fair many convention attendees see as the main reason for their attendance.
NABJ Presents: The Basics Bootcamp is a training ground to not only make sure members know what they need to know to get jobs but puts them in small classroom environments with hiring managers who accept the invitation knowing they could find their next police reporter or social media manager.
Through that program, about half the participants have taken jobs, internships, fellowships, and freelance opportunities as well as finding mentors and guides as they work their way through the industry.
I’ve spent countless hours with newsroom managers pitching them black journalists who they would not have found through their traditional networks – college friends, other recruiters, even job boards – because our members are more often matriculating through programs that don’t have journalism resources, or lack in-house professionals with the network to spread their name and work ethic.
We do it because in 1978 when the American Society of News Editors set a goal to push newsrooms to have the same diversity as the communities they covered, just 4 percent of newsroom employees were people of color. People of color make up less than 20 percent in newsrooms across the country today, while people of color are nearly 40 percent of the country’s population.
I do it because of people like Pearl Stewart, the first black woman to lead a major daily newsroom, who was a professor of mine. Her network helped in major ways.
I want my network to do the same for somebody else.
Marlon A. Walker is Vice President of Print for the National Association of Black Journalists.
Black male journalists discuss challenges breaking into the field
As the meeting began, Chapman and Jackson discussed how their journalism careers began and demonstrated why it is important that black voices be heard in the media.
Leroy Chapman. (Chris Hunt/AJC Special)
“Once I got in, I had the right kind of mentors who said you should think about being a leader,” Chapman said. “We need African-American men who lead in journalism because in these big corporate entities our voices are needed. We need to express issues in our community and open our door to be a connection to the community who do not know how to connect with the media.”
“I came to Atlanta to segway to the opinion side of the business,” Jackson said. “Journalists aren’t paid to have an opinion, we are paid to keep our opinion out of what we do. Newspaper opinion sections are the one place where you can have an opinion.”
As their journalism careers began and they started working, both men said they realized quickly how different of a world they were in, but also the importance of their position.
“I was a business reporter and I was covering banks,” Chapman said. “I go to a bank and they have all their regional vice presidents in there, I was the only black person there not serving food. Being a journalist is a passport to being in rooms that you never thought you would be in. When you are there as an observer, you’re able to have a real understanding of where power rests.”
Chapman also added how different he saw things during his time as a sports reporter. “I was a sports writer for a while. On the field, we are everywhere. In the administration and front office, we are not there.”
Jackson said his experience taught him much more about himself as he learned from other people.
Andre Jackson, AJC Opinions Editor
“I grew up in an all-black school and neighborhood. You move from that environment to a university that is more diverse,” Jackson said. “You gain experience with people who didn’t grow up in the same background and same ethnicity as you and you have to get comfortable with that
“You quickly have to get comfortable with yourself and who you are. You quickly learn that some of the things that are said about yourself as a representative of a group are not necessarily true. In my youth, in the newsrooms I worked in, I was labeled the office militant because I was quick to call things out about things that could have been better. Sometimes you want to be listened to more than heard.”
Black journalists have fought hard for years to help change the number of people of color covering issues and how the Black community is portrayed. For these journalists, they are fighting hard during these times to make sure African-Americans not only are depicted in positive light but that the full truth is told.
“The biggest thing I see is how the mainstream media covers us and how we are depicted in a manner that is not true,” Byron said. “I have covered several court cases and if I was not in the courtroom, your clients may have had a different story. It was important for me to be in those courtrooms.”
Dennis Byron, Editor-in-Chief of Hip Hop Enquirer Magazine
How black men are depicted in the media is of high importance now with several protests going on in multiple cities, including Atlanta. Chapman reiterated the importance of reporting during times like this.
“What we want to do is provide the fullest picture possible. The thing we want to do is tell the whole story,” he said. “We have been on the street, we have had African-American journalists there and we are asking, ‘Why are you here?’ (when referring to the protests). We are always doing our best to get behind the whys.
“The why is a lot of things, it is the routines of having black men who are victims of police violence and that is the heart of the why. We have to be able to understand the context; many of the people are not old enough to have been on the streets of Ferguson, some of these kids are 18 and 19. They’re under a lot of trauma and stress and it is up to us to explain a lot of that. The story is not looting, it is all the facts. It is about socioeconomic, education, having a seat at the table and having safety.”
Jackson added social media has changed the way African-Americans are represented and how hard it is for journalists to do their jobs.
“Social media has had a big influence because people can create their own realities,” he said. “Now anyone with a cell phone and a voice can do that. They can present things that are factual and it takes a lot of discernment from the audience to dissect the truth of what is being put out.”
Howard said she was excited about the way journalists are seen as the prime source of relative and factual information for the world.
“When it comes to journalism, one thing that has emerged in this pandemic is that we are becoming the ones that connect the dots for people,” Howard said. “I’m really proud of journalists for doing this. It’s our responsibility to connect the dots now that we have this kind of data. It’s more important now than ever.”
“The biggest challenge for me has been keeping up to date with all the information coming out,” Howard says, “Every day there’s a new press conference across the country. Sometimes it can be difficult to juggle, but you just say ‘hey, this is what I plan to tackle today and I’ll do the others tomorrow.’”
The idea of a pandemic spreading has always been a major concern to health experts and scientists, especially with pre-existing scientific theories now coming true by certain scientists. Eric Stirgus says we need to listen to our fellow scientists.
“One thing I’ve seen in the science industry in recent years is they explain things in the simplest terms”, Stirgus said.“Keeping up with science updates helps with your research and asking the question of how important or serious is this.”
Eric Stirgus
Since the pandemic began, many journalists are confined to their homes and have less access to newsrooms. “Covering it from home and not having the screens I would typically use has been challenging,” Howard said. “It’s kinda crazy how it’s the biggest story of the decade and we’re doing it all from home.”
Before the pandemic, Stigus would bounce story ideas off colleagues, but that’s been difficult to do since they aren’t working in the office.
“One challenge, since we’re not in the newsroom, is not interacting and conversing with different reporters,” Stirgus said. “We have a messaging app we use, sometimes it’s helpful and sometimes it’s time-consuming. It’s helpful technology-wise to have those tools but I’m also missing the human interaction.”
Keeping track of updated information is challenging, especially with constant information flooding news stations and websites, Howard and Stirgus said.
“One thing I started doing which is helpful is to constantly switch from different news outlets. I always monitor who’s doing what in different networks right now,” Howard said. “This is a local, national, and global story. Instead of keeping an eye on what’s going on in the global news, I’ve been focusing more on what’s going on in the international news. Coming out of the (United Kingdom) and Australia. That’s actually been a great way to find stories as well.”
Stirgus made it a point to reach out to his interviewees in an effort not to misinform the public.
“I’m not an expert in these topics, so I also follow up with them,” he said. “I’ll say, here’s what I have from an interview: Is this correct? Sometimes they’ll share additional information or correct me. Getting that additional information really does help me.”
Journalists from around the globe are challenged with informing the public from a distance. Jacqueline Howard and Eric Stirgus reminded everyone watching this webinar that they are not alone in this process and to remain confident in your work.
Elisheva Wimberly is a rising senior at Georgia State University.
COVID-19: How the virus has affected AABJ members
COVID-19 has affected journalists across the nation, resulting in lost jobs, income and opportunity. We asked AABJ members how they’ve been affected by the pandemic. Here is what you said:
Greg Morrison: Taking in the news has been difficult
I have been working from home for five years, but I find myself in need of a hug from my grandchildren. I have stayed at home only going out for medical appointments. My daughter has been doing our grocery shopping. At first, we experienced food shortages in some stores, but things have
Greg Morrison
calmed down a bit. My capacity to absorb tragic news both locally and hearing about friends and people I know in other cities is being tested. I take the attitude that this too shall pass and we will emerge with a new respect for simple things. (To maintain work-life balance,) I work a few hours, take a walk, enjoy some music, work a few hours, and read for pleasure. Additionally, I walk a 3-mile route through the neighborhood a few times a week and reduce food portions at mealtime.
Allison Joyner: Dealing with my mental health is now a priority
As a freelance writer, I am concerned about my niche, HBCUs, and how it
Allison Joyner
will affect the schools from an enrollment and fundraising standpoint. Dealing with my mental health has now become my priority, and it has caused me to only work a few hours a day. Having Zoom and FaceTime meetings with friends, family, and colleagues has helped, but I miss seeing them in person.
Joy Woodson: I’ve been working around the clock to get everything done
I am busier now than I was before the pandemic. And, I’m not sure why that is. Some of the increase in work is related to the shutdown, but some of it is not. My biggest concern isn’t even getting sick from COVID-19, it’s the stress that a situation like this creates all the way around. I like working from home, but when you’re basically stuck inside, it’s not the same: It’s confinement. And, that’s not good for sanity or productivity over the long term.
Joy Woodson
In addition to work and all the new procedures just to get groceries, I was an MBA student in my last semester. One of my professors did very little to change our assignments and deadlines, despite classes being canceled for a spate. I ended up working around the clock to get everything done in my life, school, and job. I try to run two to three times a week to help with the stress of it all, and I turned off notifications on my phone. I know things are due for work, but I can’t have my phone going off a million times a day for every meeting or group chat notification.
(To relax), I’ve been running, listening to podcasts, and talking to friends and family. I hadn’t listened to podcasts before all this, and I find them very helpful now when I need to tune out the news.
— Joy L. Woodson, GALILEO Assistant Director, Marketing Communications
Ila Wilborn: I live with an essential worker
I’m doing well. My biggest concern is the well-being of everyone around me.
I have an essential worker in my household and I worry about their health, as well as mine since we are around each other daily. Working from home has been a bit of a challenge. My job is a bit more difficult than it would be
Ila Wilborn
if I were in the newsroom. However, I’m coping the best I can by continuing to work through the tough days, asking for help when I need it, and planning in advance. I try to debrief every day from work by talking to family and friends. Additionally, I work out daily and I’ve made it a priority to eat healthy foods. It’s more difficult to eat out now so that helps!
— Ila Wilborn, Production Assistant, CNN Newssource
The vignettes were edited for length and clarity. They were complied by AABJ VP of Print Raisa Habersham.
Christine Swanson directed “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel.” (Credit: Lifetime)
‘Clark Sisters’ director, magazine editor discuss representation in the film industry
By Greer Wilson
As many around the world discussed COVID-19, Clark Atlanta University Mass Media Arts Alumni Society treated students to a virtual lunch and learn session last month.
The society in conjunction with the school’s mass media arts program hosted “For the Culture: The Rise of Black Culture In Television & Film” with “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel” filmmaker Christine Swanson and Stephanie Eugene, managing editor of Cinema Noir, a website dedicated to celebrating the African diaspora in Hollywood.
Christine Swanson
The women discussed the importance of networking and representation in media. Swanson said building a network as a student is vital because the same students you are working with now are the same people you will work with in the next 10 to 20 years.
“Create relationships and working relationships that are mutually beneficial and functional for where you are,” she said. “Understand that you are not just going to school. This industry is not based on talent or grades. It is relationship-based.”
Swanson said in many cases, people get film jobs based on word of mouth. “Lay the groundwork and build the relationship in an organic way,” she said.
Eugene and Swanson also touched on the difficulties of selling and telling your stories as black people and getting others to see your vision. Eugene said part of the problem is people haven’t been exposed to a different point of view.
“I think as far as our stories being told, we’re not a monolith, there are nuances in the Black experience,” Eugene said. “Over time, we see more and more of that in the mainstream media but I do think there is room for more.”
Swanson said telling the Clark Sisters’ story on screen meant a lot to her because she wanted to create something people can connect to.
Stephanie Eugene
“I love normalizing gospel singers from Detroit … to me they were always larger than life,” she said. “Just because the world didn’t know them in the way that we see them does not negate the need or the capacity to show them in that light. That’s not the goal. The goal is to humanize these women in such a way that other people can connect and relate to.”
Eugene said branding is also important when it comes to the film industry, emphasizing that authenticity is key when developing your personal brand.
“I think it’s really important, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of copying what you see,” she said. “You may not understand what someone else’s angle is or process, or target demographic. You may not understand what goes behind a brand. I really just caution you to not take any shortcuts because it really does come down to authenticity at the end of the day.”
Greer Wilson is a recent Spelman College graduate who writes for Around The Rings, a website covering the Olympics.
This issue of The Byline was edited by Raisa Habersham and Tianna Faulkner.
New AABJ president defines organization’s goals for 2020
Amir Vera is the newly inducted president of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists.
Dear AABJ members,
With the start of a new year and decade, 2020 also brings with it a new era for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists.
The new Executive Board was sworn in Jan. 11. As President, I can say we’re all excited about this new transition. As many of you have already seen, we’ve hit the ground running with an aggressive social media campaign on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. One of our goals as a Board was to improve communication with members.
As far as our other goals, we also want all members to feel they’re getting the most bang for their buck. That means hosting professional and social events with other journalism organizations and having guest speakers who members can network with, making connections with people they otherwise wouldn’t have created.
We also plan to provide workshops to members across all levels of professionalism — from entry-level to management — to help them hone their skills.
I can honestly say I’m excited about the future of this organization and I look forward to working with all of you.
If you have any ideas on how AABJ can better serve you, send us an email to aabj.org@gmail.com. Do you need to renew your membership? You can do so anytime at www.aabj.org.
We thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Amir Vera
AABJ board members sworn in
On Jan. 11, AABJ held its swearing-in ceremony for its new board at WSB headquarters in Midtown. Leading up to the ceremony, the board shared their bios on AABJ’s Instagram page. To read more about the new board members, visit www.instagram.com/aabjorg.
From left to right: VP-Digital Gary Cotton, Secretary Eric Nickens, Treasurer Shelitha Hurd, President Amir Vera, VP-Print Raisa Habersham, Parliamentarian Craig Brown, and VP-Broadcast Karvis Jones.
CNN’s Erica Henry speaks on building a successful journalism career
By Alexis Grace
CNN Director for Southeastern Region Newsgathering speaks to AABJ members about mentorships, negotiating pay and navigating a career in journalism. (Credit: Cam Mitchell)
The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ) kicked off Black History Month at their Feb. 10 general body meeting with guest speaker Erica Henry, CNN’s Southeast Newsgathering Director, who spoke on her journalism career.
AABJ President Amir Vera and Henry had an open conversation on a variety of topics including mentoring, business relationships, management, salary negotiation, internships and even paid time off.
Henry originally studied history in college but entered journalism after working at NBC in New York City shortly after graduation.
During the conversation, Henry stressed that building relationships, finding mentors and networking are very important to a successful journalism career.
“It’s very important to maintain your relationships with your mentors because I don’t want to feel that every time I call my mentor I’m calling them because I have a problem,” the Duke University alumna said, adding her relationship with her mentor helped paved the way to a career in management at CNN.
“I have had help along the way. I think when I picked my mentors or when they picked me, it was organic,” Henry said.
Henry also emphasized that mentorship is a two-way street, delving into the story behind her own mentor-mentee Ila Wilborn, who was also at the meeting.
Wilborn, a production assistant for CNN Newsource and an AABJ member, said her mentor-mentee relationship with Henry is special. She credits Henry for her success at CNN.
“It was like she really is somebody that cares about what she does,” Wilborn said. “That was something I saw in her and I wanted that for myself.”
Henry also discussed salary negotiations and urged attendees to do some research instead of taking the first offer. One thing she did was ask friends living in Los Angeles, where she was first offered a position at CNN, if she could live off the salary first offered to her.
The experience taught Henry how to negotiate for things beyond salary: “Negotiation is more than just money, it’s time off,” she said.
Later in the meeting, Vera opened the floor to questions from AABJ Board Members and attendees, including one about the controversy surrounding CBS news anchor Gayle King.
King’s interview with WNBA star Lisa Leslie went viral when a clip surfaced online of the journalist asking whether rape allegations would affect the legacy of Leslie’s late friend and former NBA star Kobe Bryant. A retired Los Angeles Laker, Bryant and eight others died in a plane crash last month.
Some online critics questioned the timing of King’s question so soon after Kobe’s death and others went as far sending King death threats.
“When we signed up to be journalists and to be reporters and correspondents 15 years ago — we had no idea that getting death threats would be a part of your daily life,” Henry said.
Adelin Gasana, a documentary filmmaker and producer, who attended the meeting said Henry gave interesting tips and left him inspired.
“I’m always looking for new ways to grow. The conversation of salary negotiations or paid time off negotiations with an employer that’s offering you a job or an advanced role – that was insightful,” Gasana said
Darriea Clark, a recent Syracuse University graduate, found the conversation very encouraging.
“Erica talked a lot about having confidence in yourself,” Clark said, “and at the end of the day, if you do not have confidence it’s kind of hard to accomplish some stuff.”
Alexis Grace is a senior at Clark Atlanta University. She is also president of the school’s NABJ-CAU chapter.
JOBS
Vox Media, Inc is looking for a *remote* race reporter. Five years of experience required. For more on the position, visit here.
Any fluent Spanish speakers looking for a TV gig? CNN Español is hiring an associate producer to aid line producers and assist with shows. Learn more about the position here.
CNN Digital is looking for a senior news editor to help run their national news desk. At least 6 years of experience required. Fore more on the position, visit here.
AABJ is hosting its first mixer of the year Feb. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 55th & Park, located at 55 Park Place NE. Active AABJ members can attend all social events for free. Entry is $5 for nonmembers. And don’t forget your business cards!
Join AABJ in Nashville, Tennessee for the Region 3 conference April 3 and 4 at the Freedom Forum’s John Seigenthaler First Amendment Center located at 1207 18th Avenue South. The conference will feature a luncheon with ABC news anchor Kenneth Moton, day-long sessions for investigative reporting, mobile storytelling workshops and two Google training sessions. For more information on registration and hotel reservations, visit nabj.org.
Be sure to buy the AABJ documentary “Black and Reporting”
Get your Emmy Award-Nominated copy of AABJ’s Documentary, “Black & Reporting: The Struggle Behind the Lens.”
Proceeds go to AABJ’s Xernona Clayton Scholarship Fund .
Anyone who wants to watch the entire documentary can buy it for $9.95 here.
This edition of The Byline was edited by Raisa Habersham and Tianna Faulkner.
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 
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
‘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 
