Instead of the usual newsletter, we asked a student journalist, an early-career journalist and a veteran journalist to write about their experiences at the national convention. Each writer brings a different perspective that we hope not only AABJ members, but all NABJ members can gain guidance from as we all head to Miami in August.
Almiya White heads to NABJ for the first time
Almiya White
I remember walking to class in April when I received an
email alerting me that one of my dreams was becoming reality.
A rush of excitement came over me as I viewed the email. I
worked and prayed for this. “Thankful for this blessing,” were the only words
that came out of my mouth. It’s safe to say the pressure is now on.
I must be honest, I am a little nervous and anxious to work
in a full operating news setting. I’ve heard pros and cons about being a part
of the Student Multimedia Project – the intensity, hardship and reassurance you
receive are like no other. We’ve all
been told nothing in life comes easy, so I want all the pressure.
This year’s convention will also be the first one I’ve ever attended. Sadly, I was unable to attend last year’s convention in Detroit – poor planning on my part.
I remember getting text messages and phone calls from friends and classmates sharing the information, skills and exposure they gained within roughly five days. I also remember stalking NABJ’s social media accounts amazed at the endless opportunities they put together for students and professionals. I might not have been present at the convention, but I like to say I was living vicariously through my friends.
This time around, not only did I want to attend the
convention, but I wanted to be a voice for the convention, so I applied to be a
part of the Student Multimedia Project.
Pursuing a career in broadcast journalism has always been my
No. 1 goal because it allows me to advocate on behalf of underserved
communities and amply unheard voices. I have a duty not only to inform the
public, but to allow audiences to discuss issues that directly affect them.
What I’m looking forward to with the Student Multimedia Project is allowing myself to be vulnerable in a new and uncomfortable setting. As a young journalist, it’s my mission to have the mind and mentality to absorb things freely, whether I’m knowledgeable or not in that area. It’s important that I surround myself with people who can play a pivotal role in my career, go above and beyond and stand out among my counterparts.
Almiya White is a rising senior at Clark Atlanta University.
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Cierra Johnson provides tips on navigating the national convention
Cierra Johnson at the 2018 NABJ Convention in Detroit, Michigan.
The NABJ convention is considered to be a family reunion for
many journalists. It’s the one time of
year where hundreds of students and professionals travel across the world to
come together to learn how they can be successful in the media and journalism
industry.
During my second NABJ convention last year in Detroit, I participated in a NABJ fellowship called the Student Multimedia Projects. A group of students, including myself, were selected to broadcast daily newscasts for three days. The experience was exciting, intense and fun! I finished the fellowship feeling more knowledgeable of the journalism industry (applications are normally available on the NABJ website in January of each year). It was super inspiring to be surrounded by students who share common passions and mentors who are eager to help you.
Major highlights of the convention included career advice from professionals, a variety of workshops, social events, networking opportunities and the biggest attraction, the career fair. Recruiters offer on-the-spot interviews, internships and jobs. The conventions are super eye-opening and fun!
A memorable tip a panelist said during one of the professional 101 workshops was “it’s not all about the resume, but also about the relationship.”
Take a look at a few tips I learned from previous
conventions:
Be prepared: Be sure to have professional business cards, printed resumes (at least 50), a LinkedIn profile, samples of your work and a 30-second pitch.
Dress appropriately: Wear business attire for the career fair and workshops. Neutral colors are safe. Recruiters are everywhere, and you want your attire to be appropriate at all times.
Clean your social media: Be sure your social media handles and posts are appropriate. Recruiters are looking! If you are not certain your account is appropriate, do not be afraid to reach out to a NABJ member or mentor to ask their opinion.
Network: You will meet a ton of students, professionals and recruiters. Take the initiative to start a conversation and exchange contact information. Remember, building relationships is key.
Be safe and smart: Have accountability partners during the convention. There will be plenty of social events in and outside of the host hotel. Do not travel to places outside of the host hotel without telling someone where you will be and for legal attendees, please be mindful of the amount of alcohol you choose to have.
Follow-up email or thank you card: Follow-up emails or thank you cards are a memorable gesture to the people you meet at the convention. It is highly recommended!
Cierra Johnson is a programming assistant and producer at AIB-TV (Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters).
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Craig Brown explains how to prep for interviews
Cierra Jones and Craig Brown at the 2018 NABJ Convention in Detroit, Michigan.
The National Association of Black Journalists convention, from what I’ve seen and what I’ve experienced, can be either an extremely rewarding event, or a very disappointing (and costly) experience.
As I prepare for my third
convention, I find myself reflecting on past experiences, and on ways that I
could have made my time there more gratifying. I’ve realized that proper
preparation is a very important component in making the NABJ convention as
fulfilling as possible. I’d like to share some ideas that may prove helpful as
you prepare for the convention.
Your reel is a
reflection of you
Make your reel look
and sound as professional as possible. The goal is to stand out from the many
others who are trying to secure the same position. Your reel is a reflection of
your abilities as a journalist. If a subject appears too dark, if the sound
fluctuates or if your reel ends abruptly in the middle of a stand-up, this
could affect your chances of being hired.
Be prepared for
anything during an interview
Go beyond the obvious in preparing for interviews. During an interview I had with ESPN the Magazine last year, I was asked the following questions:
Who are your five favorite sports journalists, and why?
Who is your favorite author and/or poet?
What is the most compelling article you’ve read in the last six months?
Those questions were not what I expected, and more
importantly they indicated that I needed to be doing more to stand out in an oversaturated
journalism field. So, in order to separate yourself from the competition, work
on your craft daily. Study your favorite journalists and determine what makes
them so good. Look to add similar qualities to your own skill set.
Make sure you have
all your materials for an interview
Have resumes, business cards and clips of your best work
with you when you’re in front of an interviewer. Ensure that you take notes and
ask questions. If you are able, take a tablet with you so interviewers can
watch your reel immediately. Otherwise, ensure that all of these items are
uploaded to your website.
Know who is doing the
hiring
Connect with hiring managers. Build relationships with those
who actually do the hiring. Contact them prior to the convention, send them a
resume and let them know what you are capable of.
Remember there’s
always someone watching
Be personable, approachable
and professional at all times. At the parties, dance and have a good time, but
I suggest you don’t start “twerking” or “backin’ that thing up.” You can never
be sure of who you might encounter as your career progresses (or regresses).
Be able to take
constructive criticism
Lastly, have thick skin. You are going to be told that you
need more experience. Some journos will not have time to talk or take a selfie.
Do not let that affect your confidence. Trust that while you may not be a good
fit for one organization, you are exactly what another station is looking for.
Hopefully, these tips will aid you in having a fun and
productive time in Miami. I look forward to seeing you there.
Craig Allen Brown is a freelance writer and teacher at Bear Creek Middle School.
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AABJ documentary nominated for NABJ’s 2019 Salute to Excellence Awards
The AABJ documentary “Black & Reporting: The Struggle Behind the Lens” has been nominated for an NABJ Salute to Excellence Award at this year’s convention.
NABJ’s Salute to Excellence Awards ceremony highlights the work of media organizations and individuals involved in print, broadcast and online journalism, marketing and communications. It is the only event in the U.S. that honors exemplary coverage of African/African-American people or issues exclusively, according to NABJ’s website.
Be sure to get your Emmy Award-Nominated copy of the AABJ.
Proceeds go to AABJ’s Xernona Clayton Scholarship Fund .
Anyone who wants to watch the entire documentary can buy it for $9.95 here.
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AABJ Online Fundraiser: 43 Years Campaign
AABJ’s $43 for 43 fundraising campaign is still ongoing. In its 43rd year, we are asking members to donate $43 to go towards programming, scholarships, and events throughout the year. Be sure to invite your friends, coworkers and anyone you know that supports our members in print, communications, public relations, radio, broadcast, digital and the many trailblazers in the literary world. Be sure to share our campaign on your social media by using the hashtag #AABJ43.
We are at the halfway mark of 2019, and we have accomplished so much! First, if you haven’t heard, AABJ’s documentary, “Black & Reporting: The Struggle Behind the Lens,” has been nominated for an Emmy! We are proud and extremely excited about this. Thanks to AABJ member, Donell Suggs, the documentary is in the June edition of Atlanta Magazine. If you have not purchased your copy, please do so today. The monies go toward AABJ’s Xernona Clayton Scholarship Fund.
I want to thank each of you for your support thus far, but we still have more to do this year. We are planning more workshops, community service projects, and fundraisers we need your help to make work. We also need volunteers to help with our newsletter, The Byline and our public affairs show, In Contact. In the coming month, we’ll be sending out a proposed revision of our bylaws. It’s been over ten years since they’ve last been updated. We will be voting on adopting them later this year.
Speaking of voting, if you or anyone you know have some interest in leading this organization, now is the time to begin thinking about a leadership role. Our term will end this year with elections slated to take place in November 2019. The nomination process will start in September.
Yours in service,
Carol M. Gantt
President
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AABJ Online Fundraiser: 43 Years Campaign
AABJ’s $43 for 43 fundraising campaign is still ongoing. In its 43rd year, we are asking members to donate $43 to go towards programming, scholarships, and events throughout the year. Be sure to invite your friends, coworkers and anyone you know that supports our members in print, communications, public relations, radio, broadcast, digital and the many trailblazers in the literary world. Be sure to share our campaign on your social media by using the hashtag #AABJ43.
(L-R): AABJ Parliamentarian Wilton Jackson, Glenn Marshall, Eric Ludgood, Drew Dawson, AABJ President Carol Gantt, Collie Burnett, Eric Burns, Tolly Carr and AABJ VP of Print Amir Vera
Kendall “Kenny” Murray walked into a room of six black men working in media, unsure of how to approach them and nervous about how they would react to him.
“Unfortunately, I just automatically assumed that they were going to be standoffish, that they were going to be intimidating to talk to, not necessarily the kindest people,” the junior at Georgia State University said.
That assumption, Murray said, was broken once he sat down with the six men during 10-minute sessions.
Kendall Murray (left) speaks with Eric Ludgood, assistant news director at WAGA-TV, during the Black Male Media Project June 1, 2019.
Discussions about the representation of black men in the media were all part of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists’ (AABJ) Black Male Media Project on June 1.
The event featured six guest speakers who discussed how they earned their management positions where they can make decisions on how black men are represented. It also featured a tour of WSB-TV led by former NABJ President Condace Pressley.
The event was part of a larger project, mandated by the National Association of Black Journalists, designed to help change the narrative around the lives and images of black men in the news and in society through a series of workshops nationwide.
Drew Dawson, station manager at Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) speaks with a guest during the Black Male Media Project on June 1, 2019.
Drew Dawson, one of the guest speakers and station manager for Georgia Public Broadcasting, told Murray that it’s common to see news executives, directors, producers and other people who aren’t black in management approach stories, editing and decision-making from a eurocentric point-of-view. As one pitches stories, he said, the point is to take ownership of stories that are about your community.
“Your job is to position that story in such a way that will appeal to more than a black audience,” Dawson said.
But, Dawson also told Murray that one must watch for the “otherization” of minority groups.
“Sometimes, you’re going to be the only black person in the room, but it’s your job to find a way, before that story gets on the air, to say ‘this is what that looks like,’” Dawson said. “Why are we telling the story this way? Are we trying to demonize someone?”
Eric Ludgood, another one of the guest speakers and assistant news director for Atlanta Fox affiliate WAGA-TV, told Murray he had to be passionate about his work in order to truly succeed.
“I can teach you how to write. I can teach you how to produce. I can teach you how to report. I cannot teach you to care,” Ludgood he said. “But if you care, all that teaching is much easier. Care and want to tell stories about what you care about.”
Murray said it can be scary and hard overall to try to get your foot in the door and understand the information.
“If you talk to 10 different people, you’ll get 10 different stories about how they got where they got to,” said Tolly Carr, one of the guest speakers and a managing partner for HBCU Gameday. “Have you thought about doing anything original just on your own?”
Carr started in TV and did stories he knew would never be on air. He wrote them like they were real and gave them to news directors. Over the course of a couple of months, Carr said he wore down the director to accept his work.
“Even though it’s not given to the masses, that’s still experience under your belt,” he said.
Each interaction with the panelists ended with encouragement and connections made. By the end, Murray said he felt like he was talking to his professors and mentors. The conversations he had, which let him peek into different experiences, showed him kindness and demonstrated success through hard work. It was what he needed, Murray said.
“Everybody here, even though they accomplished so much, they were so approachable,” Murray said.
Ludgood, in particular, had told Murray it was OK to want dreams and that Murray could make them come true.
Murray aspires to write for television.
“Trust yourself,” Ludgood said.
Murray held onto that message.
“He showed me that you can be yourself,” he said.
For those who were unable to make it, take a look at the June 1 event through the gallery below:
Breanna Durham is a free lance writer and staff writer at The McDuffie Progress
What do you like most about being a member of AABJ?
I love the community and the mentorship opportunities.
What initially got you interested in the media/communications field?
My church back home runs a summer camp all about multimedia where I was able to get my hands on video and editing software at a young age. I’ve been all about media ever since.
What are your favorite publications/outlets to get your news?
I like to start the day with the daily podcasts from NYT, BBC, and others. I also keep up with AP alerts for breaking news updates. For perspective content, I think NPR does a great job.
The narrative of Black men in the media needs to change, in more ways than one. There are plenty of Black faces in front of the camera. Now is the time to have the discussion about the faces behind the camera. Who are the people making decisions about which stories are being told and how? AABJ will tackle this subject on June 1, 2019. This year’s focus for the Black Male Media Project is “Becoming a Gatekeeper.” We’ve invited six panelists in different decision-making roles to share how they landed their job, the impact it has caused, and how can we get more Black men involved in decision-making roles. This project was designed to help change the narrative around the lives and images of Black men in the news and in society, with a series of workshops nationwide to be held on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Participating NABJ chapters will promote the project – which is open to anyone who is passionate about this movement – using the hashtag #InspireBlackMen
After all, who’s best to tell the stories of Black men? Other Black men. Here’s a look at some of the guest speakers for this year’s event:
Tolly Carr Managing partner for HBCU Gameday Eric Ludgood Assistant News Director for Fox 5Collie Burnett President and CEO of AIB Network
Glenn Marshall Producer for Will Packer’s “PowerStarLive”
Drew Dawson Station Manager for Georgia Public Broadcasting
Not pictured Eric Burns, vice president of content production and sports at Georgia Public Broadcasting.
AABJ’s $43 for 43 fundraising campaign is still ongoing. In its 43rd year, we are asking members to donate $43 to go towards programming, scholarships, and events throughout the year. Be sure to invite your friends, coworkers and anyone you know that supports our members in print, communications, public relations, radio, broadcast, digital and the many trailblazers in the literary world. Be sure to share our campaign on your social media by using the hashtag #AABJ43.
Andrew Gillum, former Florida gubernatorial candidate, to be keynote speaker at CAU commencement
Andrew Gillum
By Camille Taylor
Andrew Gillum, former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate, will be the keynote speaker at Clark Atlanta University’s 2019 commencement May 19. Gillum ran a high profile campaign with celebrities and public figures.
“We need a speaker who can reach the students, not only emotionally but mentally,” said Dr. Margaret Spriggs, CAU chair of ceremonials. “This year at our commencement we want the students to know that they have a responsibility to uphold and to leave them with an example of how to lead in the future.”
Most of the time, high profile figures have calendars that needs to be adjusted at least one year in advance, and the committee at Clark was able to confirm Andrew Gillum within weeks of them reaching out.
“Our students are worth a leader who connects with their audience and Andrew Gillum provides that,” Spriggs said.
Last year, Don Lemon gave the keynote address for the class of 2018 and left the students with a message to “be aware of your environment.”
Camille Taylor is a sophomore at Clark Atlanta University
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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.
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Southern Fried Queer Pride: An Organization Making Space for Queer People in the South
By Breanna Durham
Starting initially as a PRIDE event first held in 2015, Southern Fried Queer Pride (SFQP) expanded into a full non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing queer and trans art, advocacy, and community building in Atlanta and abroad.
According to The Williams Institute, over 260,000 adults live in Georgia, 37 percent of them are African American. SFQP is one of multiple groups in Georgia working on LGBTQ issues and bringing this community’s stories and skills into the light.
Every month, members of SFQP gather together on the third Sunday to plan events, create programming and brainstorm ideas. The group has no dues, fees or prerequisites to become an organizer to these events.
Besides their two festivals, one in June in Atlanta and one in May in the Durham, North Carolina, the organization holds monthly events. Those events range from workshops and skill-sharing to productions and discussions. In their Southern Fried Forums (SFF), for example, they hold an open, community discussion around challenging topics like intimate partner violence and racism in the queer community. Their Cinequeer Film Series event features films directed, written and/or starring and centering queer and trans people of color. In March, they showed “America In Transition,” a documentary about social change from the perspective of trans people of color. They also have a seasonal music and art showcase spotlighting queer and trans people of color(QTPoC) called CLUTCH.
According to their website, the organization expects to open a space to hold events events and art exhibits and to have a resource center, potentially including a coffee shop, by 2020.
Breanna Durham is a free lance writer and staff writer at The McDuffie Progress
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Member Spotlight: Cierra Johnson
Current position in AABJ?
Student member
How long have you been a member of AABJ?
Since July of 2017
Where did you attend college?
Clark Atlanta University; Class of 2019; B.A. in Mass Media Arts with a concentration in Journalism
How long have you lived in Atlanta?
Born and raised! 23 years
Current Occupation?
Programming Assistant and Producer at AIB-TV (Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters)
What do you like most about being a member of AABJ?
I appreciate the mentorship that is provided. There have been many networking opportunities provided by AABJ and, from my experience, I have met members who have been intentional about remaining in touch with me and guiding me on my career and personal path. In addition to, I appreciate AABJs dedication to helping students with scholarships. Though I am no longer in college (as of recently), I will never forget when AABJ funded my trip for my first NABJ convention in 2017 and ensured I was given tips on how to have a successful experience at the convention.
What initially got you interested in the media/communications field?
As a child, I watched Monica Kaufman Pearson, a former anchor for WSB-TV, and I was inspired by how confident and well she was able to broadcast news. I knew I wanted to tell great stories and have a strong presence as an African American on camera. I also loved how visually appealing a news story could be, therefore I practiced graphic design, editing and anchoring each chance I could.
What are your favorite publications/outlets to get your news?
Director and screenwriter Ava DuVernay is someone in media I look up to. Her genius ability to highlight the real-life struggles and triumphs African-Americans face and her compassion for community inspires me to create programming that is true to people’s experience. I also look up to her because she welcomes opportunity for women directors to have a chance to direct her shows – she does not only seek creativity from her own mind.
What’s an interesting fact about you people wouldn’t have otherwise known?
I am a former volleyball player, and I still enjoy playing in my community. I am a great defense player! (People would not expect, because I have a quiet, reserved personality)
I want to take a moment to personally thank each of you for a productive and profitable 2018! It is my pleasure to inform you that in 2018 we were able to bring in nearly 11-thousand dollars in revenue through sponsorships (Georgia Power), events & membership dues. Our partnership with AIB Network provided us with approximately 40-thousand dollars of in-kind services to produce our TV show, In Contact and our documentary, “Black and Reporting: The Struggle Behind the Lens.”
