table of contents SUMMER 2013 | Vol. 31, No. 1 Official Publication of the National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Staff EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maurice Foster FINANCE MANAGER Nathaniel Chambers MEMBERSHIP MANAGER Veronique Dodson PROGRAM MANAGER Jannice Hodge DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Harry Carter OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Scott Berry CONSULTANT Meet NABJ’s Journalist Paul Brock of the Year STAFF ACCOUNTANT Iris Smoote 14 From the President 4 COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Kyleah Starling Tombstone dedicated to founder 7 PROGRAM ASSISTANT Convention broadens opportunities Faith Jessie for associate members 19 NABJ Journal Staff Repositioning6 and Reclamation Bonnie Newman Davis, Editor Members on the move 22 Russel LaCour, Copy Editor NABJ presidential candidates square off Scott Berry, Managing Editor for 2013-2015 Veronique Dodson, Circulation Manager Harry Carter, Advertising Manager Sheldon Sneed, Design & Layout Sarah Glover, Photography CONTRIBUTORS Meet this year’s Kimberly N. Alleyne 8 honorees Wayne Dawkins The 2013 Honor Lesly Simmons Awardees are the best and Benet J. Wilson brightest in the industry Roderick Hicks Rochelle Riley Misty Starks Manuel McDonnell Smith 20Be a boss BRUTAL DAILY NEWS FOUR19 TRIAL New U: Helping Journalism CHANGED THE FACE OF JOURNALISM Entrepreneurial Dreams Take Off Copyright 2013 The National Association of Black Journalists Summer 2013 | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 3 From the President NABJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dear NABJ Family, PRESIDENT Gregory Lee Jr., South Florida It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Summer 2013 edition Sun Sentinel of the NABJ Journal. We are proud to host our 38th Annual Convention this summer in sunny Orlando, FL. VICE PRESIDENT/BROADCAST Bob Butler This edition of the Journal is our Convention Issue. Throughout the pages you KCBS Radio will see our annual award winners of NABJ’s highest honors. These journal- ists are truly the best and brightest stars in the industry, and we are happy to VICE PRESIDENT/PRINT Errin Haines Whack celebrate their achievements this summer at the national convention. Washington Post You will read about our Journalist of the Year, Roland S. Martin. Roland has SECRETARY had an enviable career as a multimedia journalist, becoming a respected and Lisa D. Cox trusted voice in print, on air and online. He is unapologetic about his quest KTLA-TV Los Angeles/Tribune to provide well-rounded coverage of the African-American community, and to provide unique insights to diverse audiences across the many platforms on TREASURER Keith Reed which he is asked to contribute on a regular basis. We are proud to recognize ESPN The Magazine him for his work. PARLIAMENTARIAN In this issue, you will also read about our Legacy Award winner, the late, Ted Cindy George Holtzclaw. For those who knew and loved Ted, this is a tremendous honor. Ted Houston Chronicle loved NABJ and his legacy will live on in the organization through the genera- tions of journalists he touched in the NABJ Short Course at North Carolina REGION I DIRECTOR Sherlon Christie A&T State University, and is a fitting tribute to an industry leader who changed Asbury Park Press the trajectory of the career paths of numerous broadcast professionals. REGION II DIRECTOR We are also proud to honor our Pat Tobin Award Winner, Dawn Kelley of Corey Dade Prudential. She is a long-time associate member and rainmaker whose counsel National Public Radio is much sought after, and she always answers NABJ’s call to serve. Much like the visionary Pat Tobin, Dawn has a vision not just for herself, but also for more REGION III DIRECTOR Dedrick Russell women of color to move to the front office, and occupy the C-Suite. She is a WBTV, LLC/Raycom Media dynamic and well-respected communications and media professional. We are delighted that we have the opportunity to recognize her contributions. REGION IV DIRECTOR A. J. Ross This is truly a great issue, and this year promises to be one of the best conven- WKYC-TV (Cleveland) tions to date. In addition to awarding these honors, our annual convention is an invaluable opportunity to receive thousands of dollars worth of training REGION V DIRECTOR Mary Benton through our workshops and learning labs, a chance to reconnect with your KPRC-TV (NBC) friends and colleagues from across the country, and a time to kick back with your NABJ family. REGION VI DIRECTOR Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig Together, let’s recharge our mind, body, and spirit! May you leave here empow- shades Magazine ered and inspired. ASSOCIATE REPRESENTATIVE Dawn Roberts Gregory Lee Jr. KD Communications Group President, National Association of Black Journalists STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Wesley Lowery Boston Globe POSTMASTER: ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ADDRESS ALL CORRESPODENCE TO: Send address changes to: Advertising Inquires: NABJ journal National Association of Black Journalists Please call: (301) 405-0248 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3100 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3100 College Park, MD 20742 College Park, MD 20742 (301) 405-0248 4 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Summer 2013 From the Executive Director To my NABJ Family, It is my pleasure to welcome you to the convention edition of the NABJ Journal. The 2013 NABJ Convention and Career Fair, themed “People, Purpose, Passion: The Power of NABJ,” inspires us to remember NABJ’s mission and its legacy of excellence and service to black journalists worldwide. This year’s convention in Orlando, FL offers something for everyone from seasoned professionals to young journalists. The development workshops will help you increase your knowledge of new media and enhance your skills, and the plenary sessions will challenge your per- spective on hot-button issues. Also, you’ll have the opportunity to have some fun at the special events featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment. NABJ continues to thrive in keeping our mission to provide profes- sional development, technical training, and entrepreneurial guidance for our members. Thank you for all that you do to make NABJ an industry leader. Yours in service, Maurice Foster, Esq. Executive Director National Association of Black Journalists Summer 2013 | nabj.org | National Association of Black Journalists | 5 MOBILE APP Customizable schedule Download Download Speaker biographies the NABJ Book Board candidates NABJ Special Events Career Fair maps Partners & sponsors Facebook & Twitter Convention photos Available for iOS, Andriod, and Kindle Fire 6 | National Association of Black Journalists | nabj.org | Summer 2013 App Ad for Program Book.indd 1 6/19/2013 2:50:18 PM UP CLOSE A SEASON FOR REPOSITIONING AND RECLAMATION NABJ Presidential Candidates Vie for 2013-2015 By Kimberly N. Alleyne touches on tra- Glover says. “I’ll research other revenue models s journalists through- ditional and new to fund the organization in new ways. And I’m out the country pre- media in the form a people-finder and consensus-builder, and pare for the National of webinars and skilled at getting people to participate — I really Association of Black in-person one-day want to get our members excited again. I want Journalists’ 38th annu- trainings, and also to make NABJ stronger and better.” al Convention and Ca- Google Hangouts RIGHT TIME reer Fair in Orlando, to engage chapters Asked why he chose to run for president, Fla., national board across the country. Butler says, “I have been a board member for of directors’ candi- These are ways three terms, so running for president was a A dates are stumping to every member can logical extension of my service. And I have the declare their respective visions for newsrooms access training no skills and experience to lead the organization. I and the future of NABJ. The elections fall amid matter what zip won’t need time to get up to speed. I don’t need continuing newsroom layoffs (recently seen BUTLER code you’re in.” that time. I can hit the ground running.” with the entire photography staff at the Chicago MONEY, Glover points to her institutional memory as Sun-Times), along with the news industry’s MEMBERSHIP a NABJ member for two decades. struggle for profitability and relevancy in the AND DAY ONE “I’d like to serve the organization at the high- digital age. Finances and est office,” she says. “I’ve been in the trenches Five of NABJ’s 14 director seats are contested funding have for 20 years, and that gives me a unique for the 2013-2015 term, including the presi- always driven perspective. I feel strongly that my professional dent’s seat -- a race between Bob Butler, a KCBS NABJ’s ability to growth can help the organization and also in- radio reporter in San Francisco, and Sarah provide for its dividual members get through career setbacks Glover, a social media editor at NBC10 Phila- members. Butler is they may experience. delphia. Butler and Glover point to their board quick to point out “Going through a layoff, being unemployed experience and professional backgrounds as NABJ is in good for four months, and then landing at a top-five proof of their ability to ensure NABJ’s sustained financial health. “I station in a digital role gives me a unique per- growth. Such growth includes programs that joined the Board spective,” Glover continues. “There are lessons provide career transition and training support in 2007 and we learned I can share with the organization, and for members, a review of current committees, inherited debt help members be better positioned in their own programs and procedures, and greater transpar- GLOVER from the previous careers.” ency regarding NABJ’s finances. board. We have Online voting opened May 31 and runs STABILITY IN LIVELIHOOD since repaid all of our debt, all of our bills, and through Aug. 2. A National Candidates Forum For Butler, currently vice president for broad- we have money in the bank,” he says.