Commemorative Edition - 2016
COMMEMORATIVE EDITION - 2016
CELEBRATING saluting NABJ making a world of difference
CONGRATULATIONS40 ON 40 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM 2 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue SPRING 2016 | Vol. 33, No. 1 Official Publication of the National Association of Black Journalists
NABJ Staff EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT Drew Berry FINANCE MANAGER saluting Nathaniel Chambers MEMBERSHIP MANAGER Veronique Dodson PROGRAM MANAGER Scott Berry PROGRAM MANAGER Lisa Waldschmitt DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT JoAnne Lyons Wooten DEVELOPMENT CONCIERGE Heidi Stevens COMMUNICATIONS NABJ Aprill O. Turner making a world of difference STAFF ACCOUNTANT Sharon Odle NABJ Journal Staff PUBLISHER Sarah Glover EDITOR Marlon A. Walker table of contents MANAGING EDITOR Aprill O. Turner COPY EDITORS Viewing NABJ Benét J. Wilson Denise Clay History from CIRCULATION MANAGER Veronique Dodson Behind the Lens DESIGN AND LAYOUT 12 Sheldon Sneed Lisa Waldschmitt Kofi Myler PHOTOGRAPHY From the President 4 Jason Miccolo Johnson NABJ: A History 6 Contributors Sherlon Christie Greg Morrison The Newsroom of the Future 9 Wayne Dawkins Merdie Nzanga Michael Eaves Rochelle Riley Marissa Evans Brittany M. Sango Stuart Scott: Game Changer 15 Sarah Glover Vickie Thomas Deon Hampton Dorothy Tucker Michel du Cille: The Visualist 16 Tiamoyo Harris Marcus Vanderberg Roy S. Johnson Marlon A. Walker Our Esteemed NABJ Founders 18 CONGRATULATIONS ON 40 YEARS Dave Jordan Benét J. Wilson 40 Meta J. Mereday Remembering Sidmel 31 OF EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM Copyright 2016 The National Association of Black Journalists Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 3 From the President
NABJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Sarah Glover NBC Owned Television Stations
VICE PRESIDENT/PRINT Greetings NABJ Family! Marlon A. Walker Atlanta Journal-Constitution This commemorative NABJ Journal edition is a celebration of VICE PRESIDENT/DIGITAL our association that was 40 years in the making. As we reminisce Benét J. Wilson on the impact NABJ has had Aviation Queen LLC over four decades, we revel in the determination displayed by our 44 VICE PRESIDENT/BROADCAST founders on Dec. 12, 1975. Dorothy Tucker WBBM-TV It was a pleasure to honor those brave women and men in Washington, D.C., on SECRETARY our 40th anniversary date. We praise their Sherlon Christie advocacy and vision. And in doing so, we pick up Asbury Park Press the torch to further build NABJ into the future. In this issue, we celebrate the life of Sidmel Estes, NABJ’s first woman president. She was a TREASURER fearless advocate. Her untimely passing has left a void in our hearts, and reminds us how we far Greg Morrison we have yet to go to achieve equal opportunity in the media industry. We also remember the Bumper2BumperTV legacies of sports heroes Stuart Scott and Bryan Burwell, and honor the work of NABJ’s unofficial photographer Jason Miccolo Johnson. PARLIAMENTARIAN Dave Jordan This summer, NABJ will co-host a joint convention with the National Association of Hispanic WSPA-TV Journalists. The theme is #NABJNAHJ16: One Mission Driving Innovation. We’re working to put together the most dynamic journalism convention in 2016 and arguably the most significant DIRECTOR, REGION I gathering of journalists of color in years. Make plans to join us in Washington, D.C., from Aug. 3 to 7, along with the more than 4,000 expected attendees and partake in the cutting-edge Johann Calhoun programming. The Philadelphia Tribune The priorities of the 2015-17 NABJ Board of Directors are in motion -- develop year-round DIRECTOR, REGION II Media Institute programming, restore NABJ to fiscal stability and advocate on behalf of black Vickie Thomas journalists and for fair coverage of the black community. In addition, over the next two years, WWJ//CBS Radio members will see NABJ’s reach extend globally with fellowship and training opportunities beyond our borders. We will also turn the organization’s attention to coverage of black men and to DIRECTOR, REGION III expanded training and job opportunities for members. Gayle Hurd WPTF-AM/NC News Network Enjoy the pages of this special NABJ Journal. Many thanks to editor Marlon A. Walker and team for bringing our vibrant organization to life here in living color. DIRECTOR, REGION IV Marcus Vanderberg Yours in Service, Yahoo! Sports
ACADEMIC REPRESENTATIVE Michelle Johnson Boston University
MEDIA-RELATED REPRESENTATIVE Sarah Glover NABJ President Tanzi West-Barbour Policy Innovators for Education SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: ADVERTISING ADDRESS ALL STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE National Association of Black INQUIRIES: CORRESPODENCE TO: Wilton Charles Jackson II Journalists Advertising Inquires: NABJ Journal Louisiana State University 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3100 (301) 405-0248 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3100 College Park, MD 20742 College Park, MD 20742 (301) 405-0248 4 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue WWW.NABJNAHJ.COM
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 5 NABJ: A History 40 Years in the Making
By ROCHELLE RILEY journalists were covering. an economy that is unkind to newsrooms and where it is becoming increasingly difficult llis Allison Davis recalls vividly The late Chuck Stone, then a columnist for to meet NABJ’s triple missions: training new the afternoon of December the Philadelphia Daily News, chaired the meet- and veteran journalists, increasing diversity 12, 1975, when she and two ing, which - at one point - was beginning to and fighting for fair and balanced coverage friends, on their way to a party, drag on, Davis said. She found her voice and of American minority communities and the stopped by a meeting at Washington, D.C.’s cried out, “Mr. Chairman! Point of order!” African Diaspora. ShorehamA Hotel, in a ballroom down the hall She made her point, sat down and thought from meetings of the Black Elected Officials she was done. But Stone had other plans. The 40th anniversary arrived last year as a Conference. “Who are you?” he asked. “I said ‘My name is new NABJ board had to right a ship that had “My parents lived in Silver Spring, and I Allison Davis, WBZ-TV in Boston.’ ” publicly listed for three years. The organization went home to visit,” said Davis, now a retired “He said, ‘Ms. Davis, you are now our parlia- was the subject of national news stories about producer who worked at NBC and CBS. “Two mentarian.’ ” extravagant and questionable spending, and the friends at U.S. News and World Report invited new president and board, elected in Minne- me to an event. And I got dragged along to this That’s how NABJ was born. apolis in August, had to take drastic action to meeting beforehand. They said, ‘We need to do restore the organization’s financial health. this thing first.” And that is how Davis, then all of 22 years old, wrote NABJ’s first constitution. But restore they did. And President Sarah That thing was the first meeting of what In the ensuing 40 years, those founders and Glover affirmed NABJ’s status in a statement re- would become the National Association of other veteran journalists across the country leased after the Huffington Post intimated that Black Journalists, the largest minority train- developed member chapters who host regional NABJ might have to fold its tent – as if such a ing, support and watchdog organization in the conventions, media institutes and other train- thing could happen. world. Its nearly 3,000 members now meet in ing conferences in a lasting effort to ensure that convention centers nationwide. But that first American newsrooms have diverse staffs. “These are exciting times for NABJ,” she said. meeting was held in a ballroom at the Shore- “Over the past 40 years, founders and members ham during the convention that many of the Today, NABJ is at a crossroads as it balances have recalled how some have predicted the de-
6 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue mise and questioned the relevance of our great first American civil rights movement. Lowery, who has focused his coverage on po- organization. Most of the time, it was ignorance lice mistreatment of black Americans, praised regarding how things work in the area of pro- To NABJ’s credit, its veterans now are those who helped nurture his talent. gramming, finances, advocacy and business. watching many former students report at the “… Who I am as a reporter and the stories I forefront of the nation’s top story. One, Wesley seek to tell are driven chiefly by lessons learned “Anyone who suggests that NABJ is close Lowery, a national correspondent for The and wisdom imparted while I’ve been sitting in to shutdown-mode obviously does not know Washington Post, was an NABJ baby. NABJ conference sessions and standing around our organization,” she said. “We are poised for the hotel bar, laughing late into the night another 40 years and beyond!” “I can’t imagine a more nurturing organiza- during a convention. For anyone who doesn’t tion for a young journalist than NABJ,” he said. understand just how vital NABJ has been, it Glover’s declaration was a welcome reassur- “When I first started attending conferences, I need only look to current journalists who all ance because NABJ’s presence, sadly, has never was 18 - young, naive and inexperienced. But I got their start with NABJ mentors.” been needed more than now. found myself surrounded by industry veterans Within the industry, broadcast stations and who pushed me to work harder and dream big- Indeed, NABJ’s crowning achievements, the newspapers are still reeling from belated atten- ger and by other motivated young people who notes in its sympony (to borrow a metaphor tion to a digital explosion that has moved jobs challenged me to keep up. from “Mr. Holland’s Opus) are the journalists to web operations and led many veterans to it has nurtured over four decades. Those babies leave journalism altogether. The Detroit Free “…NABJ mentors were the ones making sure will gather with veterans and industry leaders Press, for instance, saw 17 veterans leave within my internship applications were filed on time. alike at the very hotel where it all began to par- a single-four-week period at the end of 2015, an My fellow NABJ students were the ones fielding ticipate in a joint conference with the National irreplaceable loss of institutional memory and, my late night phone calls so I could rant about Association of Hispanic Journalists. quite frankly, finely honed skill sets. the latest difficulties of the school paper or the Not only will NABJ celebrate its future and job hunt. There is no job - internship, fellow- those who will tell the stories to come, but it Moreover, the anniversary arrived as the ship or full time - that I’ve had in my career in will commemorate its past and honor leaders nation witnesses a focus on the mistreatment of which NABJ hasn’t played a vital role. such as Stone, who died in 2014 and whom black people not seen since the 1960s and the Davis said is the reason NABJ still thrives.
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 7 “Chuck made sure,” she said. “I gotta tell you, Louisville, Ky. ter’s popular #ThrowbackThursday that he was a full time columnist, but he also was a Aubespin attended his first convention, will urge members to post past pictures of full-time president of NABJ.” NABJ’s second, in Baltimore. He said he is as themselves at previous NABJ conventions That appears to be true as well for Glover, the excited now as he was then about the organiza- so people can see how much everyone has current president, as the board helps restruc- tion he loves. changed – or not; and tures the organization, return to a transparency “I am quite proud of NABJ,” he said. “It has • The Hall of Fame induction ceremony. in day-to-day operations and doing what Chuck stayed together and kept its focus all these Stone did – make sure NABJ continues to exist, years. It has always been about jobs and promo- And Davis, who stumbled into that first and not just exist but to thrive. tions and moving forward, and as a result, meeting 40 years ago? And the greatest work NABJ does happens much of the industry has people who look like “I am immensely proud of being a part of during its annual convention. us. the founding of the organization and whatever “Our goal is to deliver programming that ex- “We bring a wonderful bit of history and I brought to the table,” she said. “The annual amines innovative storytelling in 21st century,” a look at things from the other side,” he said. convention, I’m thinking is a place where I feel said Convention Chair Elise Durham, who is “NABJ also has lasted as long as it has and so very validated.” Assistant Vice President of Communications at developed new leaders because, for some of us, That, more than anything, is why NABJ is the Florida A&M University. “From sharing new the first time we got a chance to show what we best thing that ever happened to many black techniques to looking at how diversity contin- could do is when we stepped into leadership journalists: It gave us much needed validation, ues to shape corporate bottom lines, we want to positions in that organization, and the industry strength and support. It also trained many of us present programming that empowers, enlight- began to take notice. I am one of those.” for jobs. ens and energizes our members.” The joint NABJ/NAHJ convention will open That need – and efforts to fill it - will never This year’s convention also will be an historic on Wednesday, August 4 and conclude on fade. Neither will NABJ. first for NABJ and NAHJ. Sunday, August 9 – with a plethora of training “We are excited about partnering with the sessions and social events in between. Rochelle Riley is a columnist at the Detroit National Association of Hispanic Journalists to Free Press and past president of NABJ chapters present NABJNAHJ16: One Mission Driving Highlights will include: in Washington, D.C., Louisville, Ky and Dallas, Innovation,” Durham said. “Not only will this • A major plenary on the U.S. presidential Tx. A leader of the NABJ Student Projects for historic convention take place in the nation’s campaign, where current candidates have 20 years, she now is co-chair of the NABJ Global capitol during a presidential election, but the been invited to speak 90 days before the Journalism Task Force, a member of the NABJ first time in years, NABJ also will celebrate our election; Digital Task Force and a member of the NABJ40 Hall of Fame inductees. • A showcase of the latest technology and planning committee. Contact her at rriley99@ NABJ also will induct several journalists tools that journalists and other media freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @rochel- into the Hall, whose past inductees include professionals can use to achieve success in leriley. Bernard Shaw, Ed Bradley, Betty Baye, Gwen their chosen roles; Ifill and Mervin Ausbespin, a Hall of Famer • A social media campaign akin to Twit- who is a retired editor of The Courier-Journalin
National Association of Black Journalists
Hall of Fame
August 5, 2016 Washington, DC
Tickets available at NABJ.org
8 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue NEWSROOM OF THE FUTURE
NABJ looks at how newspapers newspaper industry has been a harsh reality for up to five teams of “Franchise Topics” where journalists for more than a decade. reporters closely work with graphic artists, web across the country are adapting Many newspaper organizations have designers, producers and photographers to cre- to the new digital world order. experimented in a variety of ways to hold on ate a stronghold on a specific beat. to dwindling advertising dollars, which pay Newsrooms will also hire more data sci- for newspapers to be printed, however, most entists, dive more into advanced analytics By Deon J. Hampton have resorted to reducing staff as a cost-saving researching what stories are popular, when they measure. were most read, and on what day of the week. Newspaper newsrooms nationwide are using The Gannett Company, a media giant which “Mobile advertisement will continue to grow metrics and data analysis to determine story owns newspapers such as the USA Today, business and people, but will newspapers be impact as well as embracing digital and “mo- Detroit Free Press and Asbury Park Press in New able to capitalize on the growing market,” Son- bile, first” approaches in the latest attempt to Jersey, is steering its newsroom organizations derman questioned, noting cell phone users are present content that meet the growing demands toward attracting broader readers in every way. currently adding software to block advertise- of readers. “We’re changing at the speed of light with ments. What remains to be seen, however, is if the new ways of coverage,” said Hollis Towns, The loss of advertising revenue has largely new measures will stabilized an industry in a vice-president of news of Gannett New Jersey been the cause of industry job losses across the downward spiral. and editor of the Asbury Park Press. “Everyone country. Jeff Sonderman, the deputy director of is looking for an edge that will allow a strong The Trib Total Media, which publishes the Arlington, Virginia-based American Press audience that will continue to grow.” Pittsburg Tribune-Review and other smaller pa- Institute, says his organization is using a metric For example, his sports department has pers, plans to lay off 153 workers by Christmas. system in conjunction with 60 other papers to created the highly successful Red Zone Road The Boston Globe has laid off about two study audiences. Show, a high school football show similar to dozen full-time and part-time employees with While declining to say which newspaper or ESPN’s College GameDay which has help grow an additional 17 workers accepting buyouts. newspaper chains are involved, he noted the mobile traffic. Several New York Daily News employees system will also help understand what stories Each week during the football season, a panel were let go during a newsroom restructuring in are being read and why. of reporters interview an athlete in real time September. It’s a new trend Sonderman expects to hit before the game. And in seven years, the number of newspa- most newsrooms in the next few years. But as newspapers continue to print the per reporters across the country will drop 13 “The data-driven, analytics approach aims pages, experts believe the role of reporters and percent, according to CareerCast. to help papers track topics, enterprise and a newsrooms overall will continue evolving in the Declining revenue and newspaper readers variety of other stories,” he said. not so distant future. preferring to have their content and informa- The decline and possible demise of the Sonderman envisions newsrooms having tion quickly provided online and to them via
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 9 mobile devices have forced news outlets to tens of thousands of unique visitors, or online broadcasts are becoming nonexistent, he said. rethink how to present news. lurkers who wouldn’t have otherwise read that But there is good news on the horizon. At the Star Ledger newspaper in New Jersey, paper’s website. “News audiences are more engaged, reading reporters must now reach at least one million The way news is broken in newsrooms has more news than ever. “That’s largely encourag- online readers per month or risk being termi- also changed. ing. The public wants news,” Sonderman said. nated, according to former staff workers. Last summer, a Washington Post intern was Industry insiders say some newspapers Photographers have it even worse as picture credited with breaking a national story on so- may turn to hosting or sponsoring events for galleries are expected to have two million page cial media when he wrote “The New York Stock subscribers in hopes of connecting to the com- views. Exchange has halted trading on all stocks,” on munity to increase readership. Critics say the move encourages reporters his Twitter account. However, midsized and large papers will have and photographers to write more about animals Marquette journalism professor and former it harder because people commute in and out of and crime, subjects more likely to be seen by National Association of Black Journalists the city and may not be vested. many readers, rather than digging deep to President Herbert Lowe has been teaching “You need to be indispensable,” Sonder- produce stronger content. his students -- the future leaders of the print man said, before adding young reporters need But the institute doesn’t believe the initiative industry – about the ever-changing landscape to build equipped to create apps and be well to gain readership is viable. of journalism. versed in how programming works. “It’s not going to work. Not every story “An assignment isn’t done when the story is Towns contends newspapers must adopt a will engage every reader. You need a strategic published. The assignment is done when the digital lifestyle because people can’t live without analysis of each area over a six-month span,” story is shared socially,” he said, referring to their phones. Sonderman said. “Some stories will naturally be marketing stories on social media. “There’s a transition in which news orga- read by a high volume of readers.” But he warns students are thinking less of nizations are moving away from the printed He added, “Journalists need their metrics and working at destination newspapers, once a product. Many papers didn’t embrace it at first, metrics that don’t tell you what to do aren’t that highly sought after dream, instead eyeing legacy but the future is mobile,” Towns said. “It’s rare helpful.” news organizations. to see someone without their cell phones.” The race to breaking a story has become “Students don’t want to hear about working at nearly as important for newspapers reaching a newspaper,” Lowe said. Deon Hampton, a Langston University gradu- for broader audiences as search engine Google “They see themselves telling stories, making a ate, is a longtime member of NABJ. He is pres- refers online readers to the first trusted news difference, and not being limited to a newspa- ently a reporter for Newsday in New York. site. per newsrooms.” Even a one-sentence paragraph confirming a Being able to write and publish at any time breaking report is enough to potentially draw and the blurred lines between newspapers and
10 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue TATE UN At Morgan State University, N S IV A ER we’ve been doing some G S R IT O Y exciting things to train the next M •
generation of journalists. •
S
N C
H O
I
O Now we’re launching a program SGJC T O A
C L I to help working journalists O N F U improve their ability to cover the G M L M O O hotbed of some of this nation’s BA C L J & most deeply rooted problems. OURNALISM
We are proud to announce the Online Certificate in Urban Journalism
With courses like: • Beyond Law and Ethics: Reporting on the Reality of Urban Justice • Finding Your Inner Pulitzer: Investigative Reporting • Working Data Sources : Computer Assisted Reporting • The Newsroom in Your Pocket: Mobile Journalism
We’re bringing our classroom to you.
For more information, call 443.885.3502 or write Jackie Jones, chair of the Dept. of Multimedia Journalism at [email protected].
SGJC: Taking Journalism Training to a New Platform http://www.morgan.edu/sgjc Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 11 Jason Miccolo Johnson’s photograph of PBS anchor Gwen Ifill presents the 2009 NABJ Journalist of the Year award to Michelle Norris of NPR. VIEWING NABJ HISTORY FROM BEHIND THE LENS By MARSHALL A. exclusive photos of some of the Lifetime: 100 Black Men Who When I first started covering LATIMORE world’s most recognizable people. Influenced America.” The NABJ the convention, there were only Journal caught up with Johnson about five workshops running The name Jason Miccolo His work has taken him to the about his 25 years as NABJ’s concurrently throughout each Johnson may not be the most White House, the U.S. Supreme convention photographer and day. Now it’s close to 15. We’ve recognizable in NABJ circles. Court, two Olympics and five some of his favorite moments over gone from black and white film Yet, the veteran photographer presidential inaugurations. He the years. to digital color images. But over has been a visible presence since has photographed the last six U.S. the years, it’s the relationships 1990, capturing many of the presidents and more than 15 heads How would you describe your formed that make the conventions organization’s most memorable of state. Further, Johnson’s images time in the role? special. Every year is like a family moments as the official convention have also appeared in 30 books, reunion at the convention. I have photographer. more than 60 magazines and It’s been very exciting, enjoyed getting to know, and numerous national newspapers. fulfilling, and unpredictable. learning from, each new president, An award-winning national Each convention venue has it’s executive director, staffer, and photojournalist who has been In addition to preparing for unique set of challenges and board member. And it’s been fun employed by USA Today, ABC this year’s annual convention in opportunities to make memorable to photograph and watch so many News and “Good Morning Minneapolis, Johnson is finishing images. I have grown every year student journalists over the last 25 America,” Johnson has captured his latest book, “Legends of our as the organization has grown. years, develop into seasoned pros
12 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue and become mentors to the next generation of bring consistency and institutional memory to and a coffee table book, and now have 50 of the student journalists. the job and have always been known for being a photos from that same book in the permanent self-starter and well-organized. collection of the Smithsonian Institution. What are some of the most interesting And, I’ve been fortunate enough to have done moments that you can remember? How do you find the perfect shot? assignments at the White House, the Supreme Court, and on Capitol Hill, Photographing some of the world’s top The same way you find the all as a freelance photographer. My fashion models - including a young Naomi perfect mate - be patient, photography career continues to Campbell - on the runway at the 1989 stay alert, know what you give me the opportunity to be convention in New York during a tribute to want -- and hope that an eyewitness to history and black designers and models, taking a group your timing is right. to record that history with shot of 14 African American Pulitzer Prize a conscious lens. winners at the Hall of Fame dinner in 1990, How long have you photographing presidential candidate Barack been shooting? What is your most Obama meeting with members of The William proud moment as a Monroe Trotter Group, and the 2007 NABJ I actually started visual journalist? Lifetime Achievement acceptance speech given my career nine by former CNN correspondent, Bernard Shaw. months before the Actually there’s three NABJ was founded. moments that I’m most Is there one distinctive moment that stands proud: Organizing a out as your favorite to have captured? Where has 90th birthday tribute your career in to Gordon Parks that No, not one moment in particular, but I photography taken brought together 90 of am quite fond of a photo of Ed Bradley was you? the country’s top African watching a video presentation of his career American photographers to being played. Everywhere I’ve always honor him, meeting Nelson wanted to go and to places Mandela for the first time, How important do you think your role is in I never imagined! I have and getting my first book — Soul recording the living history of NABJ? photographed or exhibited on Sanctuary: Images of the African five continents, documented Cuba American Worship Experience — published Extremely important! I think I have the and Sudan, worked two Olympics, contributed by Time Warner with the foreword written by most comprehensive set of photographs of photos to 30 books and over 60 magazines, Gordon Parks. NABJ history of any photographer. Also, I produced two national traveling exhibitions
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 13 14 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue STUART SCOTT GAME CHANGER By MICHAEL EAVES or approach--even when so many critics tried to shame him into doing it--the industry eventually realized how valuable that audience was. He tuart and I first met at the 1997 NABJ convention in Chicago. was truly one of the most influential sports personalities in the last 20 It was the first one I attended. We met on the floor of the job years. fair and made a connection over golf after I saw him practic- As far as the critics are concerned, here’s what they always missed. He ing his swing while standing in the aisle. For the next several was really good at his job. Like stupid good! S years, we would also play golf at the convention, oftentimes arriving in the host city a few days early just to play. Our last round came People would tend to get caught up in the catchphrases as a reason to in Philadelphia in 2011 when we played Merion Country Club. It would say he wasn’t a good anchor. If they actually listened to him, they would host the US Open two years later. We talked about that the entire round. realize that he was one of the best broadcasters of all time. Think about it - how many times do you ever remember him making a mistake on Stuart was seven years older than me and our birthdays are just one the air? Even the best of the best flub a word here or there. Do you ever day a part. July 19th for him and July 20th for me. With us being so close remember Stuart doing that? in age, we shared some of the same experiences and cultural references. We listened to the same music and watched the same movies. As a result, Also, every time he read a highlight, he always gave you pertinent there were some similarities in our approach to doing sports on televi- information to the game. In between every “booyah” and “as cool as the sion. What Stuart brought to ESPN was similar to what I was trying to other side of the pillow” was a stat or fact that gave the highlight context bring to my audiences in Lexington, Ky., followed by Memphis, Tenn., and told you why it mattered. That’s broadcasting. And Stuart was a true and then later Los Angeles. pro.
Again, I was trying. He had mastered it. I could go on forever about my friend and his positive, joyful approach to life--even in the face of the cancer that was ravaging his body. Most Stuart represented an entire generation of sports fans and sports jour- people will remember him for his game-changing work on TV, and they nalists who watched games through a different prism--a prism shaped by should. But I will mostly remember him for his appreciation for life and non-mainstream experiences. And because he refused to change his style his unwillingness to never give in or give up.
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 15
THE VISUALIST Reflections of a journalist who captured images and gave his heart
By SARAH GLOVER of your workflow. This was during an era when visual journalism he Ebola story criss-crossed the and photojournalism was hailed at newspapers globe and came home to our living and the staff size reflected that. Today, U.S. news- rooms via news reports showing the papers are staffed with reporters carrying iPhones, latest quarantines and body counts. and the downsized photo departments are so small You’ve seen the powerful images you can often count the number of photographers that depict West African communi- on two hands, or less. ties grappling with the ravaging Serious, pensive and quiet was du Cille’s picture effects of the disease. Michel du Cille editing style. We’ve lost one of the Ebola story’s primary I can’t lie. I was scared of a Michel du Cille edit. 2015 NABJ Tdocumentarians, and a mentor of mine, with the He was tough and difficult to read. Lifetime Achievement death of Washington Post photographer Michel du Du Cille was fond of an image I took that Honoree Cille while on assignment in Liberia. summer of a black ballet dancer whipping across Du Cille suffered an apparent heart attack just the dance floor. The horizon line was tilted, and I days after he returned from a four-week vacation wasn’t sure he’d like that, but he did. I talked with His impact on scores to continue photographing the virus’ impact at ground zero, according to Post executive editor him about how I had lain on the ground awk- of photojournalists like Martin Baron. wardly, almost up-skirting the dancer to capture I first learned of du Cille’s tragic passing on the moment. I must have shot two rolls of film or me and readers reminds Facebook. 72 frames just to get the right moment, which was us why visual journal- Shock went through me when I read the turned into a Post promotional mouse pad. Washington Post link telling us the 58-year-old I knew du Cille always viewed me as a kid, but ism helps to ensure the had died. three years after the internship, I became one of public’s trust. “Deep in my heart and soul I know that Michel his counterparts as a staff photographer at the died doing what he loved! Giving voice to a story Philadelphia Inquirer. he felt compelled to do with all HIS heart and I saw du Cille over the years at photo workshops soul. It doesn’t make this any easier but it is what I and conventions, such as the annual National will cling to as I mourn the love of my life,” wrote Association of Black Journalists gathering. It was his wife Nikki Kahn, also a Post photographer. a treat to reconnect and hear him tell the story of Kahn shared a photo of du Cille waving good- how he made his images that year. He returned to bye to her the last time he departed for Liberia. shooting full-time in 2012. The three-time Pulitzer Prize winner was a Du Cille’s Ebola images grace the National Press journalism giant, one of those people who you Photographer Association’s News Photographer wish in your wildest dreams you might get to meet magazine as the October cover story. and work with. I studied those photos standing at a post office His photos of crack cocaine addicts at a Miami table, just moments after fetching it from my post housing project scored him his second Pulitzer in office box. As I stood there, I said to myself: This 1988 while working at the Miami Herald. I was in man is going to win his fourth Pulitzer Prize. awe the first time I viewed his images as a photo- One image shows a body being loaded into journalism student at Syracuse University more a pickup truck, with an Ebola awareness poster than 20 years ago. nearby that says, “Always wash your hands.” And How did he have the presence of mind to click there’s another of workers covered head-to-toe in his camera and capture marquee moments in such white protective gear carrying a body bag as they stressful situations? walk by a clothes line full of children’s clothing. That was a skill I desired to learn as I studied the But my favorite is a double-truck image of great modern photojournalists. As an up-and-coming photojournalist in the women rejoicing with multi-colored umbrellas ‘90s, I scored the internship of my dreams when as a nurse was released from an Ebola treatment the Washington Post hired me for the summer of center after recovering from the virus. 1996, giving me the opportunity to work with du Du Cille brought a human perspective to the Cille, Dudley Brooks, Michael Williamson, Carol ravaging impacts of the virus with his images, and Guzy, Joseph Elbert and dozens of other photogra- he fought to do so till his last breath. phers I admired. His impact on scores of photojournalists like Du Cille was a fixture at the Post light table, me and readers reminds us why visual journalism poring over oodles and oodles of color film helps to ensure the public’s trust. with his loupe. This was before digital cameras, We need visual soldiers who are willing to fight smartphones and instant posting to social portals, to document the story just like du Cille did. requiring a discussion with a picture editor as part
16 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue THE KING OF ST. LOUIS His competitive nature drove him to excellence
By ROY S. JOHNSON Bryan and I both aspired to be on-air talent. We both appeared on numerous shows; Bryan few summers ago (okay, worked as a correspondent for HBO’s “Inside more than a few), well the NFL” and also appeared on CBS Sports. before families and jobs Leaving New York for the Midwest might end took us along divergent those opportunities, he feared. But there were paths, Bryan Burwell still few African-American columnists in 2002, and I decided to chill in still few black men with strong voices covering Jamaica-- the island, not the fields where black men dominate, or the Queens – for a few days Bryan Burwell issues still confronted by African Americans, during the NBA offseason. It was one of those Latinos, women and others in sports. 2015 NABJ A all-in-one, food-and-fun packages that at- We talked it over for awhile, then I fi- Legacy Award tracted people from anywhere and everywhere, nally said: “Go conquer St, Louis. Go own that Honoree all looking to, well, live life. town!” We definitely did our part – and that’s all I’ll As the industry evolved, so did Bryan. When say about that! the Post-Dispatch wanted to jump into the At the time we both worked in New York as digital TV fray, it turned to him. They built As the industry beat reporters covering the New Jersey Nets; I him a studio, but it couldn’t confine him. He evolved, so did Bryan. was at The Times, he worked for the Daily News. scored interviews with top athletes all over the We were competitors, no doubt. But friends. country, many of whom adored him, many of When the Post- Always friends, even when career opportuni- whom “hated”...but still respected him. In time, ties might have pitted us against each other or and not surprisingly, “Upon Further Review” Dispatch wanted to when new jobs took us on to new cities, new was recognized and nominated for awards. jump into the digital challenges. A true renaissance journalist, he also re- Each time we saw each other over the years – cently authored John Madden’s biography. TV fray, it turned to on the road, at NABJ conventions – we laughed When I learned on the morning of Decem- him. They built him a about Jamaica, and Bryan flashed that signature ber 5th (via Twitter, of course) that Bryan had grin. lost his short, yet valiant battle with cancer, it studio, but it couldn’t In 2002, before he accepted the position as took my breath away, and I grieved. columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Bryan But after a few moments, I thought of Jamai- confine him. called me to talk it through. We both had big ca, I thought of that smile, and I thought of how dreams. Sports television was still maturing. indeed my brother went on to own St. Louis. Broadcast and cable networks were reaching Bryan Burwell, my friend, lived life indeed. out to print journalists for our expertise and
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 17 A Look at Our Esteemed
Sandra Dillard learned early Joe Davidson was working as Part of a three-anchor format in The letter inviting black jour- that diversity was needed in news a reporter for The Philadelphia a revamped ABC’s “World News nalists to Washington D.C. was coverage. As a 12-year-old, Bulletin when word went out about Tonight” in 1978, Max Robinson written on stationery of Eddie N. she represented Colorado and the meeting in D.C. At the time, became the first black man to Williams. It only invited them to Wyoming in the National Spelling he said, there were so few black anchor a nightly news broadcast. cover a meeting of black electeds. Bee. A reporter from the Rocky journalists they hoped coming Robinson anchored from Paul Brock said he wrote the note. Mountain News left her and a together would help with efforts to Chicago, Peter Jennings would It wasn’t all excitement when white female contestant at a movie recruit others into the industry. anchor from London and Frank people realized why they had been house which ended up telling Dil- Davidson, now a columnist for Reynolds would lead anchor from summoned. lard she was not welcome inside. The Washington Post, said the mis- Washington, D.C. Comics would “I remember a lot of very ner- The two walked back to their hotel. sion was to grow the number of parody the trio and how they vous people being in there,” Brock Once she ran into her chaperone, black journalists. “At the time, I’m threw stories to one another. said. “It could be their job is it was the Rocky Mountain News reporter, not sure any of us realized how big He was also became the first found out.” she told the reporter the issue NABJ would become,” he said. black anchor on a local news He wouldn’t watch from the was something in need of telling. “When we had the first meeting broadcast when he joined WTOP outside, either. Upon realizing they The reporter disagreed, deciding and the first conference, we were in 1969. During his tenure, he had just put in place the workings instead to write about the number just trying to get (NABJ) to grow, became part of the story when of an organization Brock could of stairs in the Washington Monu- with no expectation of how it Hanafi Muslims took hostages not join, he said Paul Delaney, ment. “That’s when I suspected would grow. We certainly had no at B’nai B’rith, giving him their followed by Chuck Stone, noted a whole lot of news was being indication. It’s amazing how much demands over the phone on air. the situation and decided he would missed,” she said. the organization has grown.” Robinson, who would spend be the group’s founding executive nearly 30 years in the television director, a position he held two industry, died in December 1988 year. 18 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue at age 49. NABJ Founders at the 1995 Convention in Philadelphia, Pa. Photo: Jason Miccolo Johnson
NABJ Founders
Sandra Gilliam-Beale, not According to a news article in Claudia Polley’s broadcast NABJ Founder Pluria Marshall, a journalist by trade, was in the Champaign-Urbana newspa- career took her from NBC News Sr., not only worked to increase Washington D.C., for another per, the (Illinois) News-Gazette, and Sports in New York and media exposure and opportunities convention when she was led to Leon Dash has spent nearly 18 Paris and National Public Radio in for black journalists but also to im- the meeting where NABJ was years teaching people how to write Washington, D.C. While attending prove the government’s protection started, Paul Brock said. rather than writing, himself. Dash the Juilliard School in New York, of civil rights for people across the Chosen to be the group’s first has been teaching at the University she worked for NBC as a produc- country. treasurer, she went back to her job of Illinois since 1998, including tion assistant in 1970. She would Marshall was appointed to the at WHIO-TV letting them know six years leading the university’s come back to work for NBC again U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, the news. “They said, ‘Do you want Center for Advanced Studies. just as the network was preparing an independent advisory board to be their treasurer, or do you He’s not slowing down anytime to launch its news radio service in created in 1957 that was left with want your job?,’” Brock said. “A lot soon. Dash spent about three 1975 as sports director for WNBC- the task to investigate and report of people didn’t like what we were decades with the Washington Post, AM and WNWS-FM in New York. on to what extent the government doing (starting NABJ).” writing about the conflict in An- Before returning to NBC Polley protected citizens’ civil rights. Instead, she became the group’s gola in the early ‘70s and stateside worked for WNTS, a news and talk Marshall served as the official Midwest region director until about poverty, drugs and crime, on radio station in Indianapolis from photographer for NABJ and free- November 1976, around the time which he won a Pulitzer Prize for fall 1974 to May of the following lanced for major publications, in- she left the industry for good. an eight-part series chronicling the year. She would also go on to work cluding Jet and Ebony magazines. lives of one family. for WTLC in Indianapolis in the In addition to his work with In 2015, the newspaper wrote, 1980s. Soon after being elected NABJ, Marshall established the Dash was working on another treasurer, Polley would resign to National Black Media Coalition research project. pursue a singing opportunity. in 1973.
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 19 CONGRATULATIONS
To the National Association of Black Journalists for 40 years of service to journalism and your continuing advocacy for black journalists worldwide.
The Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland is proud that you call Knight Hall your home and looks forward to working with you and our student MABJ chapter for another 40 years!
20 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue At the marking of the 20th an- Breaking into journalism usually Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Founder Edward Blackwell niversary of NABJ’s founding in requires this rule of thumb: go NABJ Founder Paul Delaney never planned to be a journalist. Philadelphia, A. Pierre Poinsett to college, do an internship and attended Ohio State University, While studying political sci- Sr. said his father, Founder Alex then after graduation, apply for an where he received his B..A. degree ence student at the University of Poinsett, like the other founders, editorial job. But can you imagine in journalism in 1958. After being Minnesota, he fell into the field. received a medallion and plaque working as a janitor for a daily rejected for jobs by 50 daily news- “I never thought of myself as a commemorating the moment. paper making $40 a week AFTER papers, he landed at the Atlanta journalist. Next thing I knew, I was They’ve remained on display since you’ve graduated? Daily World in 1959, where he cov- doing it,” Blackwell said. that convention, the younger That was the path NABJ ered prominent events of the Civil With no formal journalism Poinsett said, because of his Founder Francis Ward took in Rights Movement and politics. training and never finishing his father’s pride for being part of the the early years of his career. Ward, From there, Delaney worked political science degree, Blackwell organization’s start. an Atlanta native and Morehouse for news publications including began his career in the 1940s at a “I remember how proud he was graduate, worked in that capacity the Dayton Daily News in Ohio, longshoreman’s newspaper in Se- to receive the accolades from peers for the Atlanta Daily World. the Washington Star in Washing- attle. He then moved to the black- and proteges alike,” he said. Within five months, Ward was ton, D.C., the New York Times’ owned Minneapolis Spokesman. The elder Poinsett himself wrote later promoted to proofreader and Washington, D.C. bureau and the When he joined The Milwaukee about the founding of NABJ in got a raise of $4, bringing his sal- Chicago bureau of the New York Journal in 1963, he was tasked with an unpublished memoir, “A Half ary to $44 week. He was also able Times. He also served as the Times’ covering the Civil Rights Move- Century Chase of Five W’s and an to write articles. Ward later left to bureau chief in Madrid, Spain, ment. Blackwell said this is when H,” while lamenting how much get a master’s degree in journal- spending the next 23 years there as newspapers started hiring black progress the minority presence in ism from Syracuse University and an editor and correspondent. reporters to be their eyes and ears. newsrooms had made. briefly worked as a social worker From 1992 to 1996, Delaney “I was an expert on riot coverage. I “In the spirit of black power, before heading to Chicago to work served as the first African-Amer- knew what the police or demon- I was privileged to be one of for Jet Magazine as a feature writer. ican chair of the University of strators would do,” Blackwell said. 44 co-founders of the National After being promoted to Ebony, Alabama’s journalism department. Blackwell said media coverage of Association of Black Journalists Ward was hired for the Chicago He was editor of the editorial page issues among African Americans (NABJ), organized in December of Sun Times. of Our World News from 1996 to has waned as many editors seemed 1975 to strengthen my ties among Ward, 80, is now retired and 1998 and wrote editorials for the to see it as a phase. “There was African-American journalists, doesn’t think much about the Baltimore Sun from 1999 to 2000. more impact from the business advocate for better media coverage state of journalism today because In 2010, Delaney was awarded side of newspapers. In Chicago, of black communities, issues and the print and broadcast outlets the NABJ Lifetime Achievement advertising departments realized concerns and promote diversity in “are owned by multi-national Award for his extraordinary there were tens of thousands of newsrooms,” Poinsett wrote. “In corporations who put too much contribution to the enrichment, black middle class families. They April 2005, NABJ reported that emphasis on fluff and not serious understanding and advancement would sponsor Urban League there were only 34 more black news coverage.” As for his humble of black life and culture. Today conventions,” Blackwell said. He journalists working at U.S. daily beginnings and early janitorial he is honored for his historical said he left The Milwaukee Journal newspapers compared to five years duties? “”I don’t regret doing it,” he works and roles of leadership as a in 1978, he felt like he was just earlier -- still another sign of the said. “That’s what I needed to do to journalist, humanitarian, scholar spinning his tires in the mud. industry’s stagnation in hiring and get my foot in the door.” and activist. retaining journalists of color.”
It was by chance that Jeannye yearbook in high school. Thornton, NABJ’s first secretary. Thornton entered the world of Thornton, a founder of the The career switch paid off. journalism. National Association of Black Thornton became the first black She says it started when her Journalists, balked at journalism, woman journalist for the U.S. former (white) high school teacher feeling she was destined to practice News and World Report four years tried to dissuade her aspirations of medicine. later, making her a trailblazer. being a doctor, believing that jour- “I never knew a black journalist But her achievements didn’t nalism was a more realistic dream and nobody pushed that idea,” she come without criticism from her for a black college woman. said. peers as many wondered why she “Oh no, that’s what you should Despite not agreeing with what and others in her position opted be,” Thornton said her former the teacher told her, journalism, to join white main stream media teacher told her in a 1990 inter- and possibly fate, intervened. organizations instead of sticking view. “I thought she was trying to Her first job in the industry with black publications which were put me down.” came at The Chicago Tribune in vastly losing it circulations during At the time, Thornton was a 1970. the 1960s and 1970s. pre-med student at Ohio State The temporary job became “It was a cross black journalists University, but was considered a permanent. had to bear,” Thornton said. talented editor who oversaw the “Journalism found me,” said Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 21 A Pulitzer Prize judge in 1986, In 1994, NBC “Today” show Sam Ford of WJLA-TV, Wash- Oona’o was the birth name of 1987, 2002 and 2003, renowned co-hosts Bryant Gumbel and Katie ington is a native of Kansas who this NABJ co-founder. “I hated publisher and NABJ Founder Couric were on the set discussing launched his career in Minnesota. my first name as a child,” she told W. Curtis Riddle has been an a mysterious new phenomenon. While in graduate school he was Wayne Dawkins in July 2007 when important figure in media working “Allison,” Couric said in the direc- both a reporter/anchor for Minne- he succeeded in finding the living mostly at news publications in tion of some people behind the sota Public Radio and a stringer for founder who was missing in action Delaware, Maryland and Washing- camera, “can you explain what the a black weekly The Twin Cities Ob- for 16 years after he was able to ton D.C. Internet is?” Allison Davis was server, owned by Jeanne Cooper, a confirm all 44 founders in 1991. A graduate of Southern Illinois Couric and Gumbel’s longtime Republican Party activist. Ford was Carole Bartel, assistant editor University, Riddle first worked in “Today” producer since the 1980s. later hired by CBS affiliate WCCO- with CORE magazine – profes- the Del.-Md.-Va. region as a news Davis’ interest in public affairs and TV Minneapolis-St. Paul. sionally, she used her middle name reporter at The Baltimore Sun. news was influenced by her father In December 1975 the station as the first – was the 35th of 44 There he held numerous positions Walter Davis, a labor leader and chairman dispatched Ford to travel NABJ signees. Later in life Haynes, such as assistant city editor, night first deputy executive director of to Washington, D.C. and observe 67, embraced her birth name. metro editor, counties editor, and the Equal Employment Opportu- a conference of black elected offi- Also, because of marriage, she as a reporter in The Sun’s Washing- nity Commission. Allison Davis cials. He was among the rare black self-identified as Oona’o Haynes. ton Bureau. also said in the 1960s, when civil journalists working in so-called During a renewed online search, Riddle departed from The Sun rights was a leading story, watch- white-owned media invited by a he “found” Haynes thanks to the to become one of the found- ing network news at dinner time steering committee of seasoned book, “African American Women ing editors and leading African was a family ritual. black journalists and media profes- Writers of New Jersey, 1836-2000: Americans in the USA Today Before “Today” and produc- sionals to attempt to establish a A Biographical Dictionary and newsroom. It was there where he ing at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Davis national association of black jour- Bibliographical Guide,” by Sibyl E. served as deputy managing editor began her career at then-NBC nalists. Ford, selected as Midwest Moses. of sports in 1982. Riddle then affiliate WBZ-TV Boston. When regional director by his colleagues, The missing founder was intro- served as managing editor and she traveled to Washington in 1975 is the youngest NABJ founder. duced to members in the winter special assistant to the publisher to cover a black elected official’s At WCCO, Ford’s reporting 2007-2008 NABJ Journal. at The Cincinnati Enquirer before conference, afterward she – the brought to justice a kidnapper/rap- In 1972, Haynes was a journalist becoming publisher of the Journal second youngest co-founder – was ist/murderer of a teenage girl. with the Essex, N.J. Forum, a black and Courier in Lafayette, Ind., in elected the first parliamentarian In another incident, Ford told biweekly publication. She joined 1988. of NABJ. me last summer, he was arrested the Congress of Racial Equality “I was a 24-year-old journal- As the primary writer of the for having an overdue parking magazine in the mid-‘70s [CORE’s ist, just out of journalism school, organization’s first constitution, ticket. A call to police in which archives were destroyed in a fire, when I walked into his office as Davis fondly recalled founding Ford scolded the authorities for however he found copies of Carole managing editor in Cincinnati,” President Chuck Stone as the dismissing a neighbor’s service call Bartel’s work at New York’s Schom- said Ronnie Agnew, executive di- “mad memo writer” who pounded escalated into a humiliating public burg Center for Research in Black rector of Mississippi Public Broad- out numerous communiqués in handcuffing. The judge dismissed Culture]. She did public relations casting to the Maryland-Delaware- that pre-digital era of manual the charge against Ford, and then work for the Newark Municipal D.C. Press Association Inc. typewriters and rotary, land line a police department deputy chief Council during the administra- Gannett Co., Inc. was not telephones. told him that his run-in was partly tion of that city’s first black mayor, mistaken in seeing the talent Davis, 62, told Wayne Dawkins responsible for a policy change that Kenneth Gibson. Riddle possessed. For this he was she took a break from NABJ for no longer made overdue parking Bartel married Reginald Haynes, appointed to lead various papers about a decade and was support- tickets an arrestable offense. In a lead singer of R&B group The Es- as publisher, later becoming Gan- ive, but not very engaged. During similar dispute, said the police of- corts. He allegedly robbed a men’s nett’s East Group president. the last half-dozen years, she is a ficial, the son of the local NAACP clothing store of $117 and three As Gannett’s East Group presi- fixture inside the convention week chapter president was about to pairs of pants and was then sent dent, Biddle supervised 18 news- Student Media Project newsroom, be arrested for an alleged park- to prison. In 1979, Mrs. Haynes papers, from Asheville, N.C. to where she coaches emerging ing ticket offense and the young published the crusading book, “I Wilmington, Del., where he served journalists. man died in police custody. Facts Call Him Reggie, They Call Him as president and publisher, up the About Couric’s question and revealed the sibling of the suspect #59746.” She said 20,000 copies of northeast to Burlington, Vt. that quaint moment in 1994?: was in violation. the book were sold, aided by in- “He was as methodical and Davis, a self-identifying tech geek, After WCCO-TV, Ford was CBS mates who typed the manuscript. thoughtful then as he is today,” told the Washington Post this year News correspondent and after nine Reggie Haynes served seven years Agnew said. “But you can’t mistake that she had been dabbling in the years of network-level reporting in of the 19-year sentence. that soft-spoken approach for a Internet since the 1980s. Before New York, Atlanta and Washing- lack of passion.” she could answer Couric, Gumbel ton, he has been with ABC affiliate After serving more than 40 years repeatedly interrupted her. “Don’t WJLA-TV since 1987. in the business, Biddle retired ask her,” said the co-host. “She from Gannett as Publisher of the can’t say anything in less than 10 New Journal in Wilmington, Del. seconds.”
24 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue Toni Jones found herself sit- While we celebrate the 44 sign- “I nominated Chuck Stone for “Newsday’s not going to send ting inside the founding meeting ers who comprise NABJ’s notable president and Vernon Jarret imme- [nine] n-----s to that meeting.” of the National Association of founders, we may not know that diately moved to close nomina- But it did and NABJ founder Les Black Journalists as a result of the there were others in the room. tions” is one of the key memories Payne made it happen. influence of her friend and fellow What happened with them? Charlotte Roy has of the founding The year was 1970 when black founder Charlotte Roy of the According to Richard Rambeau, of NABJ. reporters, some snatched from Detroit Free Press. who did sign, there was much In December 1975, Roy was a urban weeklies, the U.S. Army, “In my opinion, the organization discussion about the qualifications reporter for the Detroit Free Press mailrooms, or promoted from has surpassed the vision we had and commitment of the others. He on assignment in Washington to secretary, joined freshly minted in the early years, even with the was quite vocal about the need for cover a meeting of black elected college graduates to cover the riots bumps along the way,” Jones said. a strong presence in light of all that officials, when she took part in and unrest sweeping the country. Prior to attending that historic was happening in journalism and the initial meeting of what was to Newsday reporter Bob DeLeon meeting in Washington, Jones the lack of Black representation. become NABJ. made the initial request to attend had graduated from Wayne State He felt that any organization She recalls having dinner with the Lincoln University confer- University and moved to New York that was focused on industry Stone and Jarret the night before ence to defend New York Times with no job prospects but a desire inclusion, should practice the same where “we laughed and joked and reporter Earl Caldwell’s refusal to to make a life for herself in the Big internally. Rambeau, through talked about doing something” testify before a federal grand jury Apple. She was hired by Time Life his radio and video production to create the organization. She investigating the Black Panther as an editorial assistant in the book work via Project BAIT in Detroit, notes the timing was right as more Party. Upon denial, colleague division. In 1971, she returned along with his brother David, has African American journalists were Payne, a rookie reporter covering to her hometown of Detroit and chronicled many of the untold being employed by mainstream the “Babylon Town” beat coun- was hired as a reporter by the Free stories within the Black commu- media. Roy, a Fisk University tered that all nine blacks on the Press. nity and the necessity to keep our graduate, was already a trailblazer paper’s 350-person editorial staff She also worked in radio for the stories in the forefront. as the first African-American should attend the meeting. Elgin Baylor show and as a writer He continues to compile re- reporter at the Wilmington Morn- At a Newsday meeting on the and producer at WABC-TV and search about the societal assaults ing News before moving to Detroit. matter, editor Dave Laventhol’s WNEW-TV in New York City. against people of color. He ap- While there she made her first of offer to finance the trip for three Jones went on to own her own plauds the assertiveness of young several transitions to public rela- was rejected. Payne insisted that all business, specializing in advertis- people who now have so many tions. But when her husband took nine needed to travel to Missouri ing, marketing and publishing for tools to showcase the untold sto- new jobs, her journalism skills and “experience” the strategy ses- two decades. Looking back, Jones ries within the African Diaspora. were transferable. So began a series sion to defend Caldwell, firsthand. advises journalists and media While that chant once was, “we of stints at The Buffalo News, At- The ploy moved Laventhol to professionals today to resist the do not own anything to tell our lanta Journal, Atlanta Daily World throw up his hands and send all temptation to write salaciously for stories,” Founder Rambeau points and Gainesville Florida Guardian nine journalists. Among the 50 the sake of ratings or increased out that this era of “smart technol- before returning to Atlanta in professionals, the Newsday Black readership. ogy” places the ability to “put 2005. Today she is semi-retired Caucus was the largest. “Know the difference between truth to power” right in our own and doing some freelance writing At a gathering in Washington, editorializing and presenting a hands. He views his role as a voice to keep her hand in journalism. D.C., in 1975 several “Black Media balanced account. The public de- for the voiceless and advocate for At each job she insisted on Workers” attendees, along with serves to receive information in an those stories that do not make including the views of the black scores of fellow travelers within unbiased presentation of the facts. mainstream media’s rosters. While community in coverage. Ulti- their growing journalist ranks, The polarization of our country is the slogan “Black Lives Matters” mately that led to her being fired decided that it was time to create a being fueled, in part, by untruths was not around in 1975, the fact aseditor of the Guardian when the sustainable, professional organi- and mistruths that are presented in that we still have to prove it war- publisher of the parent New York zation, complete with structure, the media as facts,” Jones said. rants a discussion as to what really Times paper wanted to curb the bylaws and a broader group mis- And the advice Jones would give has been achieved these last 40 independent editorial view Roy sion. Founder Payne would serve to her younger self — Go for it. years. championed. as NABJ’s fourth president. Don’t be afraid to soar. Looking back at the legacy of Before retiring from Newsday NABJ and its impact on journal- in 2008, Payne built an illustri- ism Roy sums it up simply “I’m ous career, earning a Pulitzer in proud of us.” 1974 for detailing the heroin trail from Turkey to the United States, serving as an associate editor, local and national reporter, foreign cor- respondent and columnist.
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 25 Robert Douglas Greenlee was an Eclectic doesn’t begin to H. Chuku Lee is one of the DeWayne Wickham is many U.S. Air Force veteran, who later describe the career of National National Association of Black things -- a founder, a founder became a journalist and one of 44 Association of Journalists founder Journalists’ (NABJ) founders who of the Baltimore chapter (one founders of the National Associa- Vince Sanders. Best known for his worked as the U.S editor for the of three that predate NABJ), a tion of Black Journalists. radio and television career, where African-owned London -based newspaper columnist and a college He completed his basic training he worked for nearly 50 years in African Journal Ltd. He believed educator. He, along with Founder at Lackland Air Force Base in San the industry, the 2005 NABJ Hall it was his job to “tell America’s Allison Davis, are ones who have Antonio, Tx. and was assigned to of Fame recipient was the manager story abroad.” While working as embraced the tools of digital jour- a unit of the Military Air Trans- of the nation’s first black-and- a journalist, Lee networked with nalism. A journalist since 1973, he port Service at McGuire Air Force white comedy team. Well before politicians, celebrities, black pub- noted the new technology journal- Base in Lakehurst, N.J. Greenlee, Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo lishers and distributors. He also ists are using to tell stories, along a Hamden, Conn. native, gradu- were teaming up for comedy became the president of TransAf- with how the news is delivered. ated from James Hillhouse High sketches on “Saturday Night Live,” rica’s New York chapter. “I came in “When I started, we typed sto- School in New Haven, Conn., and Sanders managed the duo of Tim a side door as a propagandist with ries on manual typewriters using died at the age of 70 on April 19, and Tom, better known as come- no formal training in journalism,” carbon copy paper. We had copy 2011 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. dians Tim Reid and Tom Dreesen. he said. He hoped to encourage boys who would pick up those Greenlee was born in New Haven, The two met at a United States links between his communities multiple copies of stories and take Conn., on September 12, 1940 and Junior Chamber meeting in 1968. by bringing Muhammad Ali, Max them to be edited,” Wickham said. was the son of John and Hattie Reid was working as a market- and Randall Robinson, Congress- “Now with cell phones, you can be Hardy Warfield of Hamden, Conn. ing manager and Dreesen was an man Charles Rangel, John Henrik anywhere. With laptop computers, Greenlee was a journalist for insurance salesmen. They would Clarke, Minister Louis Farrakhan, you can do research. “And who the New Haven Register for 12 eventually enlist the services of Alex Haley, Andrew Young, Rev. would have imagined, back in years until the late 1980s and after Sanders, who was working as a ra- Jesse Jackson, John H. Johnson, 1973, that by the time we reached that he taught journalism at the dio personality at the time. Sand- Ed Lewis, Ida Lewis, Earl Graves 2010, newspapers would be like University of New Haven for six ers would manage Tim and Tom and others directly to Pan-African the dodo bird and delivery systems years. Greenlee had a journalism for four years and faced the chal- audiences through Africa Journal would be as small as a smart degree from the University of Mas- lenges and criticisms you would Ltd., NABJ and TransAfrica. “We phone?” sachusetts. expect from an interracial comedy succeeded, and it was a great deal Wickham said he found a At the age of 31, Greenlee was group in the early 1970s. Eventu- of hard work and soul-satisfying second career as a journalist as a selected to participate in a six- ally all three men would go their fun,” Lee said. result of his move to the digital month urban journalism fellow- separate ways in the mid-1970s. Lee has also rewritten the classic platform. “It’s been a wonderful ship program at the University of Reid would go on to best known fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” transition that younger journalists Chicago while he was a reporter for his acting, starring in “WKRP illustrated by Pat Cummings. He won’t experience because many of for the New Haven Reigster. Green- in Cincinnati,” “Frank’s Place” and relied on the French version of them think technology is jour- lee was one of 11 participants se- “Sister, Sister.” Dreesen eventually the tale to structure this book of nalism. Too many of them have lected for the program’s 1972 class. became an opening act for Frank the same name that was released not developed the basic skills of re- In addition to working for the New Sinatra while Sanders continued in early 2014. In an interview, Lee porting and writing,” he observed. Haven Register, Greenlee was the his journalism career, including said, “While I spent 10 years as a Despite all the new tools and former editor of The Crow, a now- becoming the news director of journalist, it is safe to say I would technology, journalists still need defunct New Haven newspaper for the National Black Network in never have written any children’s to be trained, and some educators the city’s black community. 1975. Following his retirement story were it not for Pat’s infectious are learning right along with their In addition to his parents, from journalism, Sanders wrote a enthusiasm for children’s litera- students, he added. Greenlee was survived by two sons book about Tim and Tom from his ture.” H. Chuku Lee’s contribution “If you don’t want to change, get Ronald David Greenlee of San Luis perspective in 2006 titled “That’s to the NABJ has opened many op- ready to retire because news orga- Obispo, Calif., and Don Greenlee Not Funny!” portunities and paved the way for nizations are looking for multi- of New Haven, also a sister Cecelia black journalists to have a voice in taskers,” said Wickham. “Gone are E. (Vern) Morgan of Decatur, Ga., the industry. the days when a journalist could and four grandchildren. go into a newsroom and do only one thing and deliver news only one way.”
26 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue Founder Luix V. Overbea had NABJ Founder Sandra Long During the NABJ 40th anniver- NABJ Founder Maureen Bun- an accomplished career in news- Weaver is no stranger to the news- sary event on Dec. 12, 2015, the yan is among a generation of black papers and television that spanned paper industry. After graduating founders were front and center journalists who were brought into 40 years. He was primarily known from the University of Maryland sharing their thoughts about the the industry through an innovative for being a veteran reporter for the in 1974, Long Weaver became a organization they helped found. program at Columbia Univer- Boston-based Christian Science staff writer for the News Journal One name that came up again and sity’s School of Journalism. The Monitor. in Wilmington, Delaware. Then again was Founder Chuck Stone, intensive four-month program for Although Overbea’s career was she moved to the city of Brotherly who was also NABJ’s first national minority journalists was formed primarily spent working in main- Love where she became a reporter, president. in 1968 after the Kerner Commis- stream media, usually as the first copy editor and editorial writer Stone’s illustrious and ground- sion, created in the aftermath of and only black in the newsroom, for Philadelphia’s Evening Bulletin. breaking career included stints the race riots in the 1960s, noted he also challenged NABJ to never In 1984, Long Weaver became a at New York Age, the Washington a lack of minority representation forget the black press. He worked correspondent for The Philadelphia Afro-American and the Chicago in the news media. The New York for the Associated Negro Press, Inquirer and later, became its first Daily Defender. But he is best Times, the Wall Street Journal, where his work graced the pages African American female manag- known for his work as a political Washington Post, the Los Angeles of black newspapers across the ing editor. columnist and senior editor for the Times and the three television country. From politics to sports, During her newspaper career, Philadelphia Daily News from 1972 networks created a consortium for from civil rights to entertainment, Long Weaver held several leader- to 1991. He was also an author and the program. Bunyan was in the his diverse career focused on ship positions including deputy commentator his books, “Tell It class of 1970 with others including shedding light on untold stories, managing editor of The Philadel- Like It Is,” “Black Political Power NABJ Hall of Fame inductee J.C. which caused NABJ to give him phia Inquirer and managing editor In America” and “King Strut,” Hayward, Geraldo Rivera, Roger its Lifetime Achievement Award for Philadelphia Newspapers, which led to national media ap- Sims, who was a producer at “60 in 1993. LLC. In 2008, Long Weaver was pearances. Minutes” and the late Michelle Overbea’s 1964 interview in the named vice president of newsroom Stone also served as president of Clark, who became one of the first Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal with operations for Philadelphia Media what was the Association of Black black correspondents for CBS. Jesse Jackson was one of the first Holdings, and worked in both Journalists in Philadelphia, now “It was clear that the people we interviews for the young Jackson, The Inquirer and The Philadelphia known as the Philadelphia Asso- worked with didn’t think we were then leading lunch counter sit-ins Daily News newsrooms. ciation of Black Journalists, one of properly trained and wouldn’t at North Carolina A&T University. Today Long Weaver is President three chapters that predate NABJ. succeed,” said Bunyan. “We had to His 12-year stint as one of the only & CEO of The Dawson Media As NABJ’s founding president, he work through it and do the best black reporters on the southern Group, a multi-media communi- helped develop a national presence job we could.” She was sponsored newspaper began in 1956, when cations and consulting practice for the organization, exemplified by a local Milwaukee television he started by writing the Journal’s and Managing Partner of Tea and by well-reasoned yet impassioned station that had no minorities and “Negro page.” Conversations. As CEO, Long advocacy and strategic initia- was reluctant to hire her. Describing that newsroom’s at- Weaver helps organizations learn tives which were bolstered by the After three months, Bunyan titudes toward blacks at that time, and access opinions and prefer- determination of members to work ended up at WGBH-TV, the public Overbea often remarked, “If I had ences of target audiences with a diligently reporting the news with station in Boston after hearing bothered to turn my head every focus on women and on African a devotion to accuracy, ethics, fair- about a job there from journalist time somebody in that newsroom Americans. ness and quality storytelling. Tony Brown. “In the 1970s, we said the word ‘n----r,’ I would have In addition to being a founding After serving his country as a already stood out in the crowd broken my neck.” member, Long Weaver organized Tuskegee Airman in World War II, because there were so few minority In the mid-1960s, Overbea was the first “Divine Nine” breakfast Stone graduated from Wesleyan journalists. People came after us editor of the black-owned St. Louis for NABJ members who belonged University in 1948 and earned a because newspapers and televi- Sentinel and then moved to the to one of the Black Greek organi- master’s degree from the Univer- sion were desperately looking for daily Globe-Democrat. But most zations in 2011. She’s a member of sity of Chicago. He served as the people of color,” she said. “All these would know him as the lone black Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Walter Spearman Professor in Uni- businesses were under pressure by face and pioneer on the Christian Long Weaver has received versity of North Carolina-Chapel minority organizations and civil Science Monitor, which he joined many awards including the 2007 Hill’s School of Journalism from rights groups. I never had to look in 1970. he also shared his talents Trailblazer Award from the 1999 to 2005. for a job. People came after me. as a contributor to the Boston Philadelphia Association of Black According to a tribute essay Some were not genuine; they just Globe, the Bay State Banner and Journalists (PABJ), and the 2007 published 15 years ago in NABJ’s wanted a face.” other media outlets. Also an artist Courage Award from the Phila- “Committed to the Cause: A Salute “They made a great effort to and poet, “Hometown,” art by delphia Chapter of the American to NABJ’s Presidents,” Stone was recruit blacks, Hispanics and Overbea, is on display at the Rox- Cancer Society. Long Weaver has described as “superbly suited to Asian-Americans. We all were bury Crossing Boston “T” Orange also been a Juror for the Pulitzer be the first leader of an organiza- scared to death, but saw ourselves line train stop. Prizes in Arts & Journalism. tion seeking to not only change as trailblazers,” she said. “We all the way the media would tell Black thought we had a mission -- to be America’s story, but who was going the voice of people who did not to tell it.” have a voice in the news media.”
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 27 When NABJ founder Reginald Mal Johnson started her career Joel Dreyfuss was a reporter at On that faithful day in Decem- Bryant died April 5, 2010 at the at Cox Broadcasting after she The Washington Post when NABJ ber of 1975, Bob Hayes signed age of 69 from cancer, it was also impressed the company’s chief was formed. He said it was only in as the 12th participate in the 32nd anniversary of the day he executive with a speech criticizing natural that he became involved, historic meeting that lead to the interviewed former President the company’s refusal of a federal as he was already active in issues founding of the National Associa- Jimmy Carter in 1978 on his loan to train minority women for like organizing, hiring practices tion of Black Journalists. Hayes famed Philadelphia-based national broadcast jobs. and improved coverage, along with was a political columnist with The syndicated show, “Black Perspec- She returned to her hometown desegregation in journalism. San Francisco Examiner from1971 tive on the News.” of Philadelphia where she worked Those who attended the meet- to 1977. He was also part of the Bryant along with fellow NABJ for a civil rights group while news ing had different motivations for committee that organized the founder Acel Moore co-hosted anchoring for a television station being there, with a number of founding meeting on December the show for more than five years. and doing public affairs work. them concerned about losing their 12, 1975. Hayes was born on Carter was one of five U.S. presi- At Cox Broadcasting, Johnson jobs. Back in the 1970s, the biggest October 24, 1933 in St. Louis but dents Bryant interviewed in his 40- covered the federal government accusation a journalist could face he grew up in Seattle. He received plus year radio career along with including the White House and is being a militant, where people a B.S. in political science from 52 Pulitzer Prize winners. Capitol Hill. She also anchored could be blacklisted for being a the University of Washington in Bryant and Moore interviewed and produced a public affairs show troublemaker. With a mix of older 1960. Concerned about the plight guests of all races all over the for Cox in the late ‘70s. Later she and younger journalists, NABJ was of American-Americans, Hayes nation, and covered controversial became the national director of able to create a moderate plan of served as co-president of the San subjects such as interviewing community affairs for Cox. what the organization would be. Francisco branch of the NAACP the head of the Miss American When she retired from Cox Forty years later, Dreyfuss with Ray Taliaferro from 1967 Pageant on the lack of black Broadcasting in 1990 she created said he hoped that NABJ would to 1969. Hayes acknowledges he candidates, questioned politi- Medialinx International, a media be a more militant organization landed a job at The San Francisco cians on social security benefits consulting firm. That same year, that was active in protecting and Examiner as a direct result of his for older African-Americans and she became a charter member of defending the rights of black jour- friendship with Randolph Hearst, interviewed a Nazi and Klansman. the NABJ Hall of Fame. nalists, along with being more of publisher and chairman of the While the show’s popularity grew In 1975, Mal Johnson, with a critic of press coverage on black Hearst Corporation board and over the years, airing in more than 44 others, formed the National issues. However, he is heartened father of Patty Hearst. 160 cities in America, Bryant re- Association of Black Journalists. by the exponential increase in the Just 12 days before traveling to ceived many death threats, but still She served at the treasurer for the number of black journalists since Washington, D.C. to attend the kept the show going until 1978. organization for eight years. As the organization’s founding, which founding meeting of NABJ, Hayes Bryant was also one of the treasurer, Johnson was well known was beyond his wildest expecta- participated in what could also founders of the Philadelphia-based for watching NABJ funds closely. tions. be considered an historic event Association of Black Journalists In “Black Journalists: The NABJ For NABJ’s next 40 years, Drey- that later drew the attention of the in 1973. It gave way to NABJ two Story,” Wayne Dawkins wrote fuss hopes that the organization FBI. Hayes shared the stage with years later as Bryant and 44 other Johnson was “a curmudgeon who will be a much stronger advocate the likes of KPIX-TV reporter named journalists traveled to guarded NABJ’s meager funds for black journalists. “We’ve spent Belva Davis, professor & activist Washington to form the organiza- like a hen, often to the point of a lot of energy in the past 25 years Angela Davis and the infamous tion. insulting members who became trapped in the mechanics of our leader of Peoples Temple, Rev. Jim Outside of radio, he was also a upset if their registration payment convention, raising money from Jones. Hayes was co-chair of the film maker who enjoyed making was misplaced or membership was the media companies that we event called Celebration of Change documentaries, and an artist who not recorded.” Michael McQueen, work for,” he said. “We’re hesitate honoring Rev. Cecil Williams of enjoyed creating water colors and wrote of such a tale for a Society of to criticize those we’re asking for Glide United Methodist Church in oils. Professional Journalists blog. money from. I think we should San Francisco. According to The At the time of his death, he In addition to NABJ, Johnson focus on a more moderate conven- Jonestown Institute, the FBI re- was survived by a son and two was national chairwoman of the tion and put more energy toward viewed the tape in connection with daughters. American Women in Radio and training, understanding technol- the assassination of U.S. Congress- NABJ and PABJ sponsored a Television Foundation, a board ogy and being on top of digitaliza- man Leo Ryan in Guyana in 1978 fundraiser for Bryant’s tombstone member of the National Council of tion.” just before over 900 people died in in 2012. His tombstone was dedi- Women’s Organizations. She was NABJ got sidetracked along Jonestown. cated on April 5, 2013, the third also a member of the Communica- the way, said Dreyfuss. “As we Hayes pinned five books over anniversary of his death, with the tions Consortium Media Center see more media companies on the years including his first, “Black top of the stone is in the shape of and the United Nations Develop- financial collapse, I hope NABJ American Travel Guide.” a book inscribing one of his most ment Fund for Women. will be more dependent on its own famous quotes, “It’s not what you Mal Johnson died in 2007. resources,” he said. know that gets you in trouble, it’s what you know that’s just not so.”
28 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue NABJ Founder William Dilday If all you can do is agitate to It wasn’t overt racism that Philadelphia native Acel Moore was the first Black owner of a tele- make change… then don’t you sought to derail Norma Adams- dressed like his fraternal twin vision station in the United States. ever stop. Wade’s career. In the early 1970s, brother Michael until he was He was the former executive He had such a great appreciation Adams-Wade was a general 12-years-old, played the classi- owner of both WLBT and WJTV, for education and books, it would assignment reporter at the Dallas cal French horn and served as an two stations located in Jackson, be interesting to get Vernon’s take Morning News, one of a handful Army medic before becoming Miss. Dilday attended Boston on the Twitter generation. Vernon of brown faces in the major daily a copy clerk at the Philadelphia University, with the interest of be- Jarrett, who was born in Sauls- newspaper’s operation. Inquirer in 1962. ing a sportswriter. After college, he bury, Tenn., spent the majority of I was in the throes of feelings “Didn’t know I wanted to be a worked for IBM for five years, but his professional life in Chicago. of isolation, like so many (black journalist until I worked around turned down a transfer to IBM’s However, he never lost his South- journalists) across the country,” journalists,” Moore said. “I worked New York headquarters to work ern charm or the awareness of Adams-Wade said by phone. at a time when they called people for EG&G Roxbury. The move to a the struggles that blacks endured “When you’re the first and only, who did my job a “boy.” I did not new company also inspired Dilday throughout history. His love of and no one looks like you … .“ respond. I did not answer.” to apply to television companies education and appreciation for its A letter from Chuck Stone, As a member of the Inquirer as well. In 1969, he received a importance was derived from his another black journalist about style committee and asked that the call-back from WHDH-TV 5 in parents and his grandmother, who 1,500 miles away on the east coast, paper stop using the term Negro to Boston to become the station’s had been a slave. Jarrett served his would build the bridge to longev- describe black boys. Soon thereaf- personnel director. country during World War ll in ity. He’d invited Adams-Wade to ter they were referred to as black Following his tenure at WHDH, the Navy and often had to bear the Washington D.C., for a meeting or African American. Dilday moved to Jackson, Mis- injustices of the times. However, with other black journalists being Moore went onto to become an sissippi to work for WLBT. Soon he was never one to back away. held during a conference for black investigative reporter and editorial after arriving, he was appointed as Whether it was a hunger strike elected officials. Before this, the writer. He’s met Presidents Nixon, the station’s general manager after to fight segregated food services Dallas native said she turned to Carter and Clinton over the course its license was revoked over its or highlighting injustices as the her church family as a support of his career and won a Pulitzer racist policies. He was scrutinized editor of the “Black base newspa- system, using that relationship to Prize in 1977 for his investiga- by businessmen and local citizens per,” Jarrett was an “agitator for rejuvenate and begin each week tion of inmates at Fairview State for being the station’s first Black change.” He was more concerned anew. But she was excited to meet Hospital. owner. But after making changes about making a difference and up with others who knew that with Along with fellow NABJ to make the station racially bal- giving voice to the issues affect- which she had been dealing. founder Reggie Bryant, Moore anced, providing on-the-job train- ing his people, then titles and “When Chuck Stone began to hosted a television show called ing for new workers and putting recognitions, although he received talk about organizing, I thought it “Black Perspectives on the News” both black and women anchors quite a few. Being a journalist was a most wonderful undertak- on Philadelphia’s WHYY public on-air during primetime slots, was his ultimate goal in addition ing,” she said. “A lot of us talked television in the late 60s/early 70s. WLBT became the top-rated news to educating his people. Among about the emotions of that. It was It was groundbreaking television station in Mississippi. The station his great achievements include like a revival. Being able to share as there was no program like it na- attracted more than one million being one of the founders of NABJ was so profound, and knowing you tionwide. He worked with Chuck primetime viewers in Mississippi, who brought a unified voice for were not alone, that others were Stone, Claude Lewis and others to Alabama, and Louisiana. black journalists and creating the experiencing this. You go back to form the Philadelphia Association Dilday left WLBT to become the NAACP’s Afro Academic, Cul- your various shops and feel insu- of Black Journalists in 1973 – a general manager and vice presi- tural, Technological, and Scientific lated rather than isolated.” precursor to NABJ. dent of WJTV, where he boosted Olympics (ACT-SO) to reward a ratings by implementing new plans competitive spirit for academics Profiles contributed by: Reporters could not reach, or in operations and programming in black children. Jarrett would Sherlon Christie information was not available, for the television station. His work appreciate journalists “doing the Wayne Dawkins on the following founders: at WJTV helped the station earn work” to find out about him. He Merissa Evans Crispin Campbell the top spot for ratings in Missis- was a mentor and a friend and Sarah Glover Charlie Cobb sippi. Following WJTV, Dilday be- enjoyed firing people up. He often Tiamoyo Harris Marilyn Darling came the corporate vice president told me, “You’re always starting Dave Jordan David Gibson of News-Press and Gazette. His something… Don’t ever stop!” Meta J. Mereday Martha Griffin work in television at the execu- Greg Morrison Derwood Hall tive level opened doors for black Merdie Nzanga John White journalists in the field. Brittany M. Sango Vickie Thomas Credits: Dorothy Tucker Ebony.com Marcus Vanderberg Essence.com Marlon A. Walker “Black Journalists: The NABJ Benét J. Wilson Story,” by Wayne Dawkins Brittany M. Sango
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 29 Boston University College of Communication congratulates Michelle Johnson, the Academic Representative to the NABJ Board of Directors.
“As more NABJ members transition from the newsroom to the classroom it’s imperative that we have a strong advocate on the national board.” Michelle Johnson
30 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Special Issue REMEMBERING SIDMEL By Elise Durham was going to be a producer. They told me that Network, and it became the signature program producing is where all the power is and that I for WAGA-TV after the station changed net- I met Sidmel Estes [Sumpter] when I was a was built for it. I didn’t know what they meant, work affiliations. senior in college at Florida A&M University. It but I listened. When you have that kind of We didn’t know it at the time, but that pro- was the late 1980s, early 1990s and she, as well strength around you, you have to. gram was breaking records and jump-starting as several other professional journalists, had And then, my craft found me, and the rest is careers, featuring guests such as Usher, Will come to FAMU to conduct the inaugural NABJ history. Downing and TLC, among dozens of others. Short Course. I fell in love with telling stories and crafting When I say that Sidmel was a force, it almost shows. And I have loved it for most of my adult During the Centennial Olympic Games, seems like an understatement. During that life. Had it not been for Sid and others, I don’t “Good Day Atlanta” was the “go-to” destination time, I had spent a lot of time reporting and know where my career may have taken me. for athletes, actors, singers, authors and enter- anchoring “FAMU Focus,” our weekly, student- Instead, the love she showed has directed me. tainers wanting to publicize their latest projects. run television program. So when it came time By the time I graduated from college, I had And the industry took note. for anchor tryouts for the NABJ Short Course, I already been working for what was then CBS Because of Sidmel’s creative concept and just knew I was going to be “the one.” NewsNet for nearly a year. I transitioned seam- steadfast direction, news directors and general Little did I know that my direction and pro- lessly into an associate producer role at the CBS managers from across the country traveled to fessional life was about to change. station in Tallahassee and then into the role as Atlanta to shadow her team as we crafted the In order to understand, I have to share the the first black news producer the station had three hours of morning television that would names of some of the powerful people who ever had. I honed my skills for 16 months be- later drive the morning day-part for many of surrounded my classmates and me during that fore moving to Jacksonville to be the weekend the Fox affiliated stations. Short Course. People like Sheila Stainback, producer. By the time I was 26, I would find There are not many people who you meet in Paula (Walker) Madison, Janet Johnson, John myself under Sidmel’s tutelage again. life that are fierce enough to always tell their Jenkins, Tom Morgan and Gary Wordlaw. It I moved to Atlanta to launch the 8 a.m. truth, the way they see it. was an amazing opportunity. To learn from hour of the groundbreaking morning program That WAS Sidmel. these folks who were so young and passionate, “Good Day Atlanta.” Sidmel was the co-creator She loved hard and lived in every moment. but so skilled was a blessing. of the program and its first executive producer. Her ferocious spirit and contagious laugh could Sidmel and Janet pulled me aside and told me What most people didn’t realize is that “Good fill a room. She simply was one-of-a-kind. And that I wasn’t going to be an anchor, but that I Day Atlanta” was the first of its kind for the Fox you just can’t replace that.
Special Issue | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 31 As we celebrate 40 years of NABJ, Medill Northwestern University honors former alumna Sidmel Estes (BSJ76, MSJ77)
She will be fondly remembered.
→ First female NABJ president
→ Medill Board of Advisers member
→ McCormick Fellow, including executive producer of the 40th anniversary of the Kerner Commission Report video for McCormick Fellows Program
→ Recipient of Northwestern University’s Alumni Service Award
→ President, Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA)
→ Charter member of the Medill Hall of Achievement
→ Recipient of the Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences Southeast region
→ Editor of NU’s Blackboard Magazine
→ Editor of NU’s New-Sense Magazine