CONVENTION PREVIEW

National Association of Black Journalists • July 2002 • $2.50

27th ANNUAL CONVENTION & JOB FAIR July 31 - August 4 Midwest Express Center

BRING IT ON Wisconsinisconsin BlackBlack MediaMedia AssociationAssociation isis ReadyReady forfor PrimePrime TimeTime

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NABJ Journal — the official publication of the National Association of Black Journalists

NABJ Journal, the news magazine of the National Association of Black Journalists, is back with a commitment to serving its readers. But we need you, too.

Contribute to the Journal with fascinating stories focusing on the journalism industry, news, trends and personalities affecting African American journalists.

To submit stories or ideas, photos or letters, call (301) 445-7100; fax to (301) 445-7101 or e-mail [email protected]. JULY 2002 VOL. 20 NO. 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TABLE OF BLACK JOURNALISTS NABJ Contents

Publisher Condace Pressley Editor Rick Sherréll Copy Editors Andre Bowser Sharyn Flanagan Diane Hawkins Jon Perkins Lamar Wilson Contributing Writers Stephania Davis Errin Haines Eugene Kane M.L. Lake Gregory Lee Richard Prince

Layout & Design Carolyn Wheeler CEW Productions

NABJ Officers African World Festival, Milwaukee, Wisc. Aug. 2-4 President Condace Pressley WSB Radio (Atlanta) Vice President - Vice President - Features Broadcast Print Columns Mike Woolfolk Bryan Monroe From the President 2 WACH-TV (Columbia, S.C) San Jose Mercury News CONVENTION PREVIEW: To Our Readers 3 Secretary Treasurer Career-Wise 16 Gregory Lee Glenn E. Rice The Washington Post The Kansas City Star No longer Ol’ Milwaukee Departments Parliamentarian Immediate The evolution of a Genuine Sharyn Flanagan Past President Chapter Spotlight 5 American City ...... 6 USA Today William W. Sutton, Jr. Bookmarks 17 The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) The NABJ Journal (USPS number NABJ Directors Planting the SEED of pending) is published four times a Region I Region II year by the National Association of Robin Washington Sarah J. Glover Journalism Black Journalists – the largest The Boston Herald The Philadelphia Inquirer organization of journalists of color NABJ student project challenges Region III Region IV in the world. To discuss news items, Bonnie Newman Davis Ernie Suggs young minds ...... 10 photos and letters, call (301) 445- Virginia Union University Atlanta-Journal 7100, ext. 110; fax to (301) 445-7101 Constitution or e-mail [email protected]. For Region V Region VI Not Just Hard News information concerning advertising, Randye Bullock Stephanie Jones call Gerald Van Treeck at Achieve Randye I. Bullock, LLC The Commercial Appeal NABJers get in the ‘Spirit’ with Communications, phone (847) 562- (Detroit) (Memphis) poetry contest ...... 12 8633; fax (847) 562-8634; e-mail Region VII Region VIII [email protected]. NABJ Cheryl Smith Natalie Y. Moore members receive one free copy; KKDA Radio (Dallas) St. Paul Pioneer Press Author Showcase additional copies of this or back Region IX Region X issues are available to members Venita Hawthorne James Lynne Varner NABJ journalists turned authors and non-members at $1.50 each; The Arizona Republic Seattle Times showcase their wares in an annual subscriptions are $9. Associate Representative improved convention event ...... 14 Reprints not permitted without Meta Mereday, Marketing/Media Consultant prior written approval of NABJ. POSTMASTER: Send address Student Representative changes to NABJ, 8701-A Adelphi Tiffany Black, University of North Carolina Rd., Adelphi, MD 20783-1716. Executive Director Tangie Newborn 2 Condace Pressley www.nabj.org From the President B the Future inMilwaukee Celebrating thePast and for National AssociationofBlack Journalists’ future. M B on becauseyou are inforanexciting ride!Building the NABJ willlook atthe“Crisis intheCatholic Church.” mize impactonourreaders, andlisteners.Also, viewers, mate inthecontextofwhat storieswe cantelltomaxi- sessionwe willexaminethe current economic cli- nary to technology. Speaking oftheeconomy, inanotherple- Americans simplynothaving accesstotheInternet and has grown largerthan theissueofsomanyAfrican in” onthewindfallswithe-commerce. It isasubjectthat how theblackbusinesscommunityisnot yet “cashing will explore, among otherissues,thedigitaldivideand journalism better. also willenableyou topracticethecraftof sessions craftedtoexposeyou toissuesandideasthat designed toimprove your skills. There are alsoplenary tent. This includesprofessional development workshops the goalofproviding you withsubstantive program con- people whoproduce theannualconvention beginwith of Black Journalists convention. Eachyear theteamsof in Milwaukee forthe27thannualNational Association proud tocelebrateourassociation,NABJ. andotherstunts.Socartwheels today, Iammore than that Ifailedthecoordination testwhenitcametothe was becauseIdidn’t have “the look” asmuchitwas cheerleader inmiddleorhighschool.Idon’t thinkthat cheerleading squad,itisbecauseIam!wasnever a est ismore thanaconvention themeforNABJ2002in ilwaukee. “Building theBest” isthemantra F toseeingmanyofyouI lookforward July 31-Aug. 4 or example, the three plenary sessionsinMilwaukeeor example,thethree plenary uilding theBest. If

yo crown in2005aswillDetroit in2006. convention ever. Atlanta willwear the best, we willsayDallas wasthebestNABJ members catchthevisionofbuilding convention ever! Mi v team ofNABJmembers,employees, and big wayattheannualconvention. If the NABJ member, andmanifestsitselfina endors hasdoneitsjobswell, then u’ lwaukee 2002willbethebestNABJ If Come 2003,asmore andmore NABJ B ve uilding thebestbeginswitheach

I soundlikethecaptainofNABJ not caughtthevisionalready, hang National Associationof Black Journalists convention. You shouldalsoknow that“Building the J for Milwaukee 2002. Asyou read thisissueoftheNABJ students. an organizationdedicatedtohelpingunderachieving Se Ne De NABJ Banquet onFriday, Aug. 2. advancement ofAfricanAmericanlifeandculture atthe ing contributiontotheenrichment,understandingand nalists around thecountry. We willsalutehisoutstand- andhadanimpactonmanyjour- sity inthenewsroom members, sodidBobMcGruder. He championeddiver- A A D sion. NABJwillhonorthelateexecutive editorofthe tion ofmemberstotheheroes ofourprofession. with thisaward genera- thatNABJcanintroduce anew ism, you mightnotever hearaboutHomer Smith. It is tory, ofblacksinjournal- more specificallythehistory time intheUSSR.Unless oneisastudentofblackhis- He inAddisfirst English-language dailynewspaper Ababa. toEthiopia the andstarted was laternamedemissary during World War II,covering theEasternFront. He He for theAssociatedNegro Press whilelivinginMoscow. U circumstances.extraordinary Smith graduatedfrom the have accomplishmentsunder madeextraordinary this ideatoNABJrecognize blackjournalistswho Legacy Award. spondent Homer Smith, winnerofthefirstNABJ award. We willsalutethelateAssociatedPress corre- time ofcelebration. This year, NABJintroduces anew a timeofeducation;itwillalsobringustogetherfor nity, sadlythrough theperpetrationofviolence. R Although only2percent ofAfricanAmericansare ournal, you willfindmore aboutthe in-deptharticles ward. Just asCharlesJackson, the2001NABJLifetime chievement Award honoree touchedthelives ofmany oman Catholics,thescandalhastouchedourcommu- niversity ofMinnesota inthe1930sandwasawriter etroit Free Press withtheNABJLifetimeAchievement r ws Service. ws Service. Wickham winsthe2002Community W

vice Award for creating the Woodholme Foundation, This isjustasamplingofthe programming planned NABJ willalsosaluteformerPresident R NABJ Region IDirector Robin Washington brought N wrote “Black Man inRed Russia,” anaccountofhis was alsoacorrespondent fortheAssociatedPress obert G.McGruderobert isanotherhero ofourprofes- ayne Wickham ofUSA Today and theGannett ot onlywillMilwaukee 2002bringustogetherfor Pr esident, continued onpage11 NABJ Journal /July2002 Allow Me To Introduce Myself

I welcome the opportunity to serve as the editor of tion’s editorial focus to concentrate on busi- the NABJ Journal. Quite frankly, I was surprised when ness, careers, technology and wealth-building

Our Readers our president asked me to serve in this capacity. I will and established a presence for the magazine on take for granted that it was her recognition of the work over 600 newsstands throughout the south-

To I’ve done as president of the Atlanta Chapter and as a east. magazine editor here in Atlanta that prompted her deci- From 1987 to 1994, Rick was founder and sion. If not, I thank her for the opportunity anyway. publisher of Urban Business Magazine in NABJ is 3,300-plus members strong Tampa, Fla. The bimonthly magazine targeted and most of you have no idea who I am, so the area’s black professional and entrepreneur let me help you out. As you get to know with a business and career focus. During the me, either through this publication, magazine’s lifetime, Rick also periodically through face-to-face interaction at upcom- served as editor, and at one time or another, ing conventions or through one of the served in all departments of the publication many occasions that we will surely have to including circulation, production and advertis- interact professionally, you’ll find that I am ing sales. He also founded The 4-1-1 Events and outspoken and straight to the point (But, I Entertainment News in Tampa, and served as also like to smile more than I like to editor and publisher of the biweekly newspaper. frown). It’s reflected in my writing, editing During his career, Rick has also been a free- and leadership style and in the direction I lance business writer whose article’s have Rick Sherrell tend to take the publications I find myself appeared in Black Enterprise magazine, Upscale at the helm of. magazine, Atlanta magazine, Climate magazine, The Atlanta Tribune, Pensacola magazine, By way of resume, I submit the following: Creative Loafing, and the Pensacola News Journal. Additionally, he worked full time as a Rick Sherréll is CEO of Sherréll Publishing features writer for the Pensacola News Journal Group, Inc., an Atlanta-based company special- for a year and wrote a freelance general interest izing in publishing periodicals and Internet con- column for the paper for two years. tent. The company provides consulting on mag- His strengths are his unparalleled leadership azine start-up, publishing operations, magazine skills, strategic planning, publishing, editing and and Internet editorial content as well as free- overall management of people and projects. He lance writing and editing services. also developed, hosted and co-produced two Rick is an experienced professional with a cable television programs, “Inside the Atlanta 15-year background in magazine and custom Tribune” and “The Jazz Scene,” and developed publishing that includes strategic planning, and hosted the daily radio program “The 3rd internal operations, editorial content develop- Millennium.” ment, circulation development, print production Under Rick’s leadership, in September of and design, sales promotion, and administra- 2001, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine won seven tion. Pioneer Black Journalist awards for its 2000 Rick is most notably known in Atlanta as the editorial content and one for its television pro- 3 1/2-year editor of Atlanta Tribune: The gram from the Atlanta Association of Black Magazine. While there, he was responsible for Journalists. the overall editorial content and production of Rick is president of the Atlanta Association the magazine and its Internet edition. Under his of Black Journalists, one of the largest and most direction, the publication successfully made the affluent affiliate chapters of the National migration from a biweekly, tabloid-style news- Association of Black Journalists, boasting a paper to a full-color, glossy, monthly magazine. membership roster of more than 300. He was He also sharpened and reshaped the publica- continued on next page

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 3 To Our Readers

previously a member of the Tampa Bay Association of projects and controversial events. Black Communicators. Over the past 15 years, Rick has And, of course, we have reported on also served on the board of directors for the Greater NABJ news that affected you in the Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Tampa broadest sense, without becoming a Organization of Black Affairs and several other com- mouthpiece for the organization. That is munity organizations. not what this incarnation of The Journal Before his journalism career, Rick served four years was supposed to be about, and I thank in the United States Air Force and worked for eight my former publishers (Presidents years at IBM as a computer operator, systems pro- Vanessa Williams and Will Sutton) and Walker grammer and project manager. current President Condace Pressley for As editor of your NABJ Journal, I hope to bring my years of letting us do this work. experience and my penchant for cutting-edge, meaningful con- In this role, I have been able to help produce some issues tent to taking this magazine to new heights. I welcome your that remain timeless. As I look back over the covers, I see the input and support. For now, a preview of our upcoming con- important topics: the Kerner Commission anniversary; vention. Next issue ... let the games begin. When bad things happen to good journalists; Starting your own publications; Rights of Journalists; Challenges of PEACE. African journalists; and the list goes on. I remain proud of each of those issues. Of course, I couldn’t do any of this work on my own, and because there has been some turnover in the staff since fall 1998, I can’t thank everyone. But I do want to thank my writers, who contributed pieces without regard to fees (which were SMALL tokens of appreciation, to be sure). (Got a story idea? Want to write for the Journal? Contact Rick Many a journalist’s byline has appeared in the pages of at [email protected]. We also welcome Letters to the Editor.) The Journal over the years, and I am happy that we were able to diversify our voices. However, a small group of writers have regularly contributed, and must be thanked. Farewell These writers, either through regular columns or who simply wrote well and often for The Journal, must be given Dear NABJ Journal members and readers, their due: Thank you Wayne Dawkins, Richard Prince and They say that change is inevitable, sweet, even, and always a M.L. Lake. little hard to bear. I would say that certainly describes my deci- I also want to thank the copy editors, who caught errors sion to step down as editor of the NABJ Journal. in stories before you saw them, and who wrote wonderful I have been editor of the Journal since the Fall issue of 1998, headlines over the years. Thank you Diane Hawkins, Jon and I have enjoyed every minute — even those minutes that Perkins, Gene Farris, Cliff Redding and Malecia El-Amin. were a little frustrating and difficult. But as time marches on, so I encourage each and every one of you to consider writ- do other things, such as work, responsibilities and new chal- ing for The Journal. It is an important publication that lenges. MUST go on. Please assist new editor Rick Sherréll in mak- My primary reason for stepping down is a decision to final- ing this publication continue to be the best it can be. ly go back to school to get a master’s degree in journalism. It has Thanks for all your support. been a long time coming. Of course, the adage not to quit your day job rings true, and my responsibilities at The Kansas City Star as assistant managing editor for staff development and mul- timedia is ever-growing. However, The Journal will go on. We have tried to do good work over the years, encouraging new bylines while appreciat- ing existing ones. We have spotlighted important people in our Sincerely, business, and written about industry trends, entrepreneurial Yvette Walker

4 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 Contact information: CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT Eugene Kane Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel 333 W. State Street Convention in Milwaukee? Milwaukee,WI 53201 414-223-5521 BRING IT ON! [email protected] By EUGENE KANE Five years ago, members of the Wisconsin Black Media cause of journalism in the African-American community. Association learned that Milwaukee had been chosen to host the For five years, the WBMA has presented the Gregory 2002 NABJ convention. Stanford Scholarship awards to minority students interested in Almost immediately, one thing was paramount on most a career in journalism. We also have an annual Media Day that members’ minds: We better be ready. Having a national con- allows local school kids to meet and work with professional vention for some of the leading African-American journalists in journalists and other media professionals in an all day workshop the country on your home turf can be a daunting proposition. at a local university. Particularly for a city like Milwaukee: a teeming metropolitan Understanding our vital role in keeping the black commu- community that isn’t well known to many people except for the nity informed we have held forums on the role of race in the often harsh winter climate and a couple of 1970s-era TV shows news media and sponsored different informational workshops. — “Happy Days” and “Laverne and Shirley.” The WBMA is the host chapter for the NABJ 2002, and we Tr uth is, Milwaukee is a diverse cosmopolitan American city take our responsibility very seriously. Our hope is that all of the with many good things in its future. Situated on the banks of NABJ members who attend the 2002 convention will discover Lake Michigan, it’s home to a world-class art museum and a the variety of attractions available in Milwaukee, a city 30% new baseball black and filled with cultural offerings. stadium. The For example, Milwaukee is home to America’s Black recently reno- WBMA and diverse Holocaust Museum, one of the few historic museums dedicat- vated down- ed to the memory of the lynch mob in America. Also, during town area fea- the NABJ convention, members can take advantage of The tures an eclec- city are ready to African World Festival at the lakefront, which will be a three- tic shopping day festival of music, food and entertainment taking place just mall with pull off the best a short distance from the convention site on the shoreline of scores of great Lake Michigan. restaurants and annual event ever For those with a nose for news, Milwaukee is a city with a clubs. myriad of great stories. It’s the home of the longest-running The initial school choice voucher program in the country. Milwaukee is waves of anxiety that came with the announcement of also one of the earliest sights for a sweeping welfare reform pro- Milwaukee for NABJ 2002 were soon replaced by a can-do atti- gram that became a national model. tude by WBMA members, who are prepared and determined to Milwaukee is home to a number of prestigious think tanks show off our city in the best possible light. 2002 is here, and the and social policy organizations. And, we claim our own; famous Wisconsin Black Media Association is ready and able to help Milwaukeeans include Al Jarreau, Eric Benet, Latrel Sprewell the National Association of Black Journalists pull off the best and even Oprah Winfrey, who lived here briefly as a child. convention ever! The Wisconsin Black Media Association is looking forward More than 75 members strong, the WBMA is composed of to having NABJ members discover the hidden treasure of some of the leading African-American journalists in southeast- Milwaukee in August. We realize many of you probably haven’t ern Wisconsin. We are newspaper reporters, editors and pho- visited before, but we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the tographers, television anchors and general assignment types, great restaurants, exciting clubs, informative museums and radio talk show hosts, public relations executives and members exhibits, and the general positive quality of life in our fair of academia. Midwestern city. Meet Me in Milwaukee 2002! ● In Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, the WBMA has earned a reputation as a serious organization dedicated to Eugene Kane is president of the Wisconsin Black Media improving the image of blacks in the media and promoting the Association and is a columnist at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 5 one-of-a-kind ballpark features a convertible roof and natural grass and offers the finest in ballpark amenities including places to tailgate along the Menomonee River, a sports-themed restau- rant as well as an elegantly finished restaurant, and the “Hot Corner” featuring a display showcasing Wisconsin baseball since 1900. Also completed in 2001 was the $100 million renovation and expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Named “Best Design of 2001” by Time magazine, this addition by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava includes a dramatic wing-like sculp- ture rising high above the city’s lakefront like a bird taking flight, the Cudahy Gardens—an elegant public space complete with Midwest Express Center fountains surrounding the facility, a restaurant, and a 300-seat auditorium. This monumental project, an integral component of More than 150 years ago, a group of settlements came Milwaukee’s current citywide cultural renaissance, has literally together to form a city on the southwestern shore of Lake changed the personality and image of Milwaukee, giving the city Michigan. This city was named Milwaukee, a word that literally means gathering place by the waters. No longer Milwaukee has truly proven itself to be a gathering place, a place where people with ethnic roots from all over the world come together to form a community of great cultural Ol’ Milwaukee: diversity. These people have added their unique traditions to the city’s evolving personality, influencing every facet of the The evolution of a community. These people are the faces of Milwaukee. Genuine American City A big draw

You will find this Genuine American City, the nation’s 19th largest city, to be without pretension as well as friendly, afford- able, accessible and accommodating. The debut of the Midwest Express Center, home to the NABJ 27th Annual Convention and Career Fair, July 31 - Aug. 4, our new state-of-the-art con- vention facility located in the heart of downtown, in July of 1998 was only the first in a series of large-scale developments that are defining Milwaukee as a must-see destination. More than $2.4 billion has been invested in updating the city’s current tourism assets and in the development of new attractions to distinguish Milwaukee as a premier destination. This growth has produced unrivaled attractions, first-class guest accommodations and landmark projects.

Growing with attractions African World Festival - Gospel music may take center stage at African World Festival, but this annual festival 2001 marked the successful completion of two much antic- is a magnificent array of music from African and ipated and celebrated projects in the Genuine American City. Caribbean, to jazz, rap and Motown. You’ll love to savor Miller Park, the new home of the National League Milwaukee the delicious foods usually reserved for Milwaukee’s Brewers, opened in April to sell-out crowds. This $400 million, best soul-food joints. August 2-4

6 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 an icon for the world to see. This fall, the museum will host NABJ Leonardo da Vinci and the Splendor of Convention Poland: A History of Collecting and Goers…Come Patronage, an exhibition of 77 paintings from public and private collections in early and stay late Poland. This exhibition, scheduled to take to catch some of place from Sept. 13-Nov. 24, includes these great events. many outstanding paintings, the most famous of which is Leonardo da Vinci’s Festa Italiana Lady with an Ermine (Cecilia Gallerani) July 18-21, 2002 from Cracow. Henry Maier America’s Black Holocaust Museum - Founded Another new addition adding to Festival Park to educate the general public of the injustices Milwaukee’s appeal is the RiverWalk, a (414) 223-2193 suffered by people of African Heritage in 1.6-mile pedestrian walk that runs on America, the museum is open from 9 a.m. until either side of the Milwaukee River. The 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays except Garfield Avenue Wednesdays. RiverWalk, which is being further devel- oped to the north and south, is lined with Blues, Gospel & Arts public art, fine food, cultural venues, brewpubs, microbreweries, eclectic shops, exciting nightlife Festival and a wide array of distinctive sports bars. Garfield Avenue In the developmental stage is Pier Wisconsin, a 65,000-square-foot innovative education center 4th - 7th Streets and museum that will be built in the waters of Lake Michigan in the shape of a nautical compass. This imaginative creation will connect to Milwaukee’s municipal pier, transforming the entire German Fest municipal pier area along Lake Michigan into an inviting area of walkways, parks, observation July 26 - 28, 2002 points and activities. Henry Maier The new development will feature an outdoor learning center, a landing for small boats and Festival Park multiple demonstration areas and will give visitors opportunities to participate in a variety of hands- 414/464-9444 on programs. This unique and creative project will be the product of cooperation among city, state and federal agencies but will be financed through private funding. Pier Wisconsin will be the home- port location for Wisconsin’s flagship, the Denis Sullivan. Wisconsin State Fair Aug. 1 - 11, 2002 City of diversity Wisconsin State Fair Park Points of historic interest rich in cultural diversity are abundant in Milwaukee. The city is home (414) 266-7000 to America’s Black Holocaust Museum, the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to educating the general public of the injustices suffered by people of African heritage. Milwaukee’s Public African World Museum features an excellent collection of Native-American and African artifacts as well as Festival impressive environmental exhibits of life in Africa, Asia and America. August 2 - 4, 2002 Employing a multicultural staff of several hundred, Potawatomi Bingo Casino Entertainment Henry Maier Center offers guests a theater for live performances, a four-star restaurant, luxury bingo suites and Festival Park an engaging heritage center. Annual revenues are shared with the Indian Community School, vari- (414) 223-2193 ous charities, and state, county, and city governments. Other points of interest include Milwaukee’s Harambee House, which contains paintings and other works by African-American artist Gerald Duane Coleman and artifacts from his extensive Jazz in the Park travels, and the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum which chronicles the lives and contri- Thursdays, May 30 - butions of African Americans to Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. Sept. 12 The Performing Arts in Milwaukee are a wonderful reflection of the diversity that exists in the 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. community. The symphony, ballet, opera, Broadway shows, theater, and nationally renowned Ko- Cathedral Square Thi Dance Company showcase diverse entertainment, offer various perspectives on life and feature Park the work of ethnic composers, musicians, and playwrights.

Ol’ Milwaukee, continued on page 8

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 7 Ol’Milwaukee, continued from page 7 sible for promoting Milwaukee as a convention destination to Local food critic Willard Romantini notes, “Diversity is the multi-cultural groups. Milwaukee is the only city in the coun- main course of Milwaukee’s burgeoning restaurant scene.” try that has a director of multi-cultural development in the Milwaukeeans have long been known for their pride in diversi- nation’s capitol. ty and rich ethnic heritage. Milwaukee’s diverse restaurant com- munity exemplifies this pride, as well as culinary excellence. The Convenient destination diverse restaurant community allows you to experience Milwaukee’s heritage and history, while feasting on its Milwaukee’s accessibility is a key reason groups and tourists best dishes. continue to choose Milwaukee as a destination. General Mitchell International Airport, rated one of the nation’s top The best fests three airports in user-friendliness, is only eight miles from downtown. The airport serves 90 cities with nonstop or direct Heralded as the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee celebrates its flights from 14 major airlines. The airport has approximately diverse heritage throughout the year with a delightful proces- 220 daily departures. The Greyhound Bus Station and the sion of ethnic and cultural festivals. During these festivals, vari- Amtrak Railway Station are located in the downtown area, just ous groups display their own ethnic pride, allowing event atten- blocks from the convention center. dees to learn and feel more about the culture through food, arts, The city is conveniently located between highways 94 and presentations, and performances. 43 providing convenient freeway access throughout downtown In an effort to enhance multi-cultural tourism, the Greater and the outlying areas. Our city streets are laid out on a grid pat- Milwaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau has created two full tern so finding your way from one place to another, whether by time staff positions. A cultural tourism manager coordinates the car or on foot, is easy. The city’s public transportation system is Bureau’s efforts in all aspects of marketing initiatives to the inexpensive and readily accessible and our cab companies pro- multi-cultural customer and to serve as the liaison to several vide friendly, safe and affordable services. niche markets including ethnic festivals and arts and culture. A Call 800-231-0903 or visit www.milwaukee.org for infor- director of multicultural tourism development is headquartered mation on one of the hottest destinations for meetings in the Bureau’s Washington D.C. office. This director is respon- and conventions. ●

8 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 From the President, continued from page 2 Actually, I hadn’t really been much of anywhere. I’d taken the Best,” means improving the infrastructure and the logistics of obligatory school trip to Washington, D.C. and returned pro- managing a meeting as large as an NABJ annual convention. I fessionally to cover a Reagan news conference in 1987, but that hope that you, like I, registered for the convention online. It was about it. So, it was something for me to be on that subway took less than five minutes for me to complete the early-bird train, with hundreds of the most educated, influential, and registration process. Within minutes, I received e-mail confir- beautiful black people. I remember looking to my left and to mation of my registration, and one-week later received confir- my right at the people in the other subway trains staring at us. mation from NABJ by mail. We have devised a method of NABJ was out for the night in black tie. It was an amazing expe- assuring that conference attendees who pre-register for the con- rience and stays with me to this day as testimony to the power vention will get their convention briefcases whether you arrive and to the potential of NABJ. on Wednesday or on Saturday. Conference attendees who regis- It will probably be a while before New York hosts the NABJ ter on-site will not get the same bag. For that reason I hope that again. It simply is too expensive for the typical NABJ member. you pre-registered for the convention. This is building the best But that in no way means NABJ cannot take a “New York state NABJ! of mind” to other cities. It is out of that mind-set that the For many NABJ members, the NABJ experience begins mantra of “building the best” was born. Now don’t get me with the NABJ annual convention. This is a time when, among wrong, there is a little LA, a little D.C., a little Chicago, other things, we make new friends, reconnect with others and Philadelphia, Nashville, and Orlando in there too, but first create memories that last a lifetime. For me it was taking the A- impressions do speak volumes. So it is in that spirit that I invite train to the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the Salute to you read on, and get ready for Milwaukee 2002 where NABJ is Excellence Awards Ceremony. New York was my first NABJ building the best! annual convention. I was three years out of the University of Georgia working as a reporter/anchor at WSB-AM. I had been active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, but I’d never been to the NABJ nor had I ever been to New York.

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 9 ast year’s NABJ convention NABJ’s student projects consist of And former student project partici- was arguably the most con- four areas: The Monitor, the daily paper pants actually return to give back. troversial of any event in the of the convention; NABJ-TV; NABJ Jasmine Bryant, a writer/producer at L organization’s recent history. Radio and NABJ Online. WCBS in New York, participated as a NABJ was in the midst of Students who participate in the pro- student from 1995-97. She started as a a financial crisis. Then-President Will gram consist of 2002 NABJ Internship mentor in 1998 and continues to share Sutton was being grilled on what had and Scholarship winners and other stu- her knowledge with the students. “I think happened to the organization. Members dents who apply for the program. it is such a valuable experience for any were ready to take back their organiza- The students will be placed in their college student looking to enter the busi- tion. In addition, NABJ had an election respective media disciplines to work ness,” Bryant said. “It’s also good for stu- to seat its new board of directors. under leaders of each segment. This year’s dents, who go to schools without much, Planting the SEED of Journalism NABJ student project challenges young minds By GREGORY LEE JR.

In the midst of all of this controversy volunteer leaders are Rochelle Riley, if any, experience, to taste the biz and see was a group of 50 college students whose columnist at the Detroit Free Press; Greg if it agrees with them. After the project, responsibility was to report on these very Morrison, television producer and news I’ve seen a few stu- contentious issues. director with the Major Broadcasting dents decide, for “While it was a Cable Network; Doug Mitchell, coordi- whatever reason, heavy task for us stu- nator of Next Generation at National journalism wasn’t for dents to make sense Public Radio and Michelle Johnson, them.” of festering issues that owner of MJ Internet Consulting is a for- But for Brian would suddenly mer editor for the Boston Globe. Henderson, a stu- come to a head, “ said Each leader’s job is to assemble a vol- dent at Grambling Michael Johnson, a unteer staff of professional members State University, his student at the within the organization. Most volunteers experience working Henderson University of North give up their convention time to serve as on The Monitor Johnson Texas who participated mentors to these students. helped enhance his desire to become a in the NABJ Student Projects program. “It isn’t a sacrifice, it’s a responsibility,” journalist. “To the surprise of many, I think the said Janet Johnson, an executive producer “My emphasis is visual communica- reporters did an excellent job.” at The Weather Channel. “You’re doing tions. I concentrated on photography and Errin Haines, who participated in the 14-plus hour days at the convention and graphic design,” Henderson said. “I program last year added: “I couldn’t have juggling many tasks. But it is the learned a lot of material from the profes- picked a better year to work on the stu- absolutely coolest thing to see the stu- sional staff that is not commonly taught dent project. It was an election year for dents produce tapes that get them jobs. in classes at school.” NABJ, and the race for president made And there’re few things more rewarding Henderson parlayed his student proj- for really great news and some awesome than watching former student project ect experience into gaining a spot on the opportunities for ambitious students.” participants go onto rewarding careers. design team for the American Society of Such was the life of student journalists Of, course it’s also pretty nice to see them Newspaper Editor’s student project, the who NABJ helps become the next crop of come back and become mentors to other ASNE Reporter. He will return as professionals. students!” SEED, continued on page 13

10 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 NABJ Monitor NABJ Radio “I met some really cool people working on “Out of the NABJ ‘Next Generation Radio Voices’ project the project including some contacts I may from 2001, four participants came to NPR. Augustine Rho need when I’m looking for my next intern- was an intern on our Cultural Desk this past spring. Sarita ship or job. I still talk about the fun we Jackson will be the executive producer for ‘Intern Edition’ this had in Orlando last summer. Because I coming summer and Christopher Johnson is now a production had been an NABJ intern, I was able to assistant for ‘Morning Edition.’ Additionally, James Ellis III, work part-time at my local paper, The who worked for the Online project last summer and The Herald, in Rock Hill, S.C. and become a Monitor before that, will be interning this summer at NPR Chips Quinn Scholar.” working in our News Online department. Jamila Bey, who is an assistant editor for ‘Morning Edition’ is an alum of the Ishmael Tate, who participated on The Monitor last summer. She NABJ Radio Project working as a reporter for us in 1998 in is interning this summer at the Greenville News as part of the Washington, DC. We’ve gotten employees and interns from Chips Quinn Scholar Program. the student projects at NABJ. I can’t think of a more direct and effective means of finding the next generation of journalists NABJ Television than these projects.” “It was a grueling to work on the project, Doug Mitchell, project manager, Next Generation Radio at NPR. but fun. The first year for me was like boot camp with Shelia Brooks and Janet NABJ Online Johnson as the head drill instructors. It “For some it was their first exposure to multimedia. I think was thrilling to put packages together everyone should know what goes into the everyday, to track down people I wanted production of a Web site so they can to interview, to feel like a real journalist. It understand it as an important component was beneficial to work with reporters, pho- to any media operation.” tographers and producers that I later came to realize are some of the most respected in Tiffany Black, who participated in the proj- the business.” ect in 2000. She is now NABJ student repre- sentative. This summer she will be building Jasmine Bryant, who participated in the projects from 1995-97 a website for the National Arts Festival in and has returned, to serve as a mentor. She is a writer/producer at Grahamstown, South Africa, on a multimedia team. WCBS in New York.

How to Participate in 2003 Students African American college students majoring in broadcast journalism, communications, television production, print jour- nalism, or who are pursuing a career in broadcast, print, or online journalism are invited to submit an application to partici- pate in the NABJ student projects. Space is limited and NABJ interns and scholarship winners are placed first on the student projects. Internship and scholarship winners have expenses underwritten by NABJ. However, these winners will not fill the entire roster of the program and other students may apply for the program in the spring. However, these students are respon- sible for their own expenses. Please check www.nabj.org for more information. Volunteers Professional members of the organization are eligible to serve as mentors to the students in their respective disciplines. Those volunteers who will work in this capacity full-time at the convention will be eligible to have their convention registrations waived. However, this number is limited. If you are interested in volunteering, contact NABJ Seed Chair Gregory Lee at [email protected].

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 11 Not Just Hard News NABJers get in the ‘Spirit’ with poetry contest By ERRIN HAINES

Spirit in the Words is not to be attendance this year.” “Her poem missed. Just ask Tiffany Black. Sponsored by the DaimlerChrysler was special “I didn’t attend it at my first conven- Corp., Spirit in the Words was launched because she tion and boy, did I feel like a fool,” said eight years ago by Alan Miller, founder of focused on Black, who decided to skip the popular the multi-cultural planning company and things that are poetry contest after a grueling day at public relations firm A. Miller Group Inc. common to work on the online student project in The first event was held in Detroit and most of us, but Phoenix two years ago. Black opted to has expanded to eight cities, including simply in a dif- take a nap and awoke to discover she had Philadelphia, Seattle, Los Angeles, ferent context. missed out on one of the best events at Washington D.C. and Atlanta. The Spirit It really hit the NABJ convention. in the Words poetry book debuted in home as we lis- Headley “And to make things worse, it was the 1997, and is now in its fifth edition. tened and pon- year my boy James Ellis won second Miller said he brought the event to dered our own thoughts of being in dis- place. He was working on the project organizations for journalists of color as a tant places and quite often as the under- with me!” she said. haven of creativity and relaxation for hard represented people in the workplace.” Black didn’t sleep on the event the fol- news junkies and poetry aficionados. The The eye candy is as popular as the tal- lowing year in Orlando, fitting it in dur- dim lighting, close quarters, and audience ent. The event is usually hosted by actress ing her successful campaign for national dressed to impress and enjoying good Shari Headley (Coming to America, All student representative. conversation and cuisine combine to cre- My Children, 413 Hope Street) - a defi- “I made a point to attend last time, ate scenes akin to those in the movie Love nite draw for some. Orlando’s contest had and I’m glad I did. The room was over- Jones. The event is a great way to unwind surprise guest Malik Yoba (New York flowing with people. I think there were at the end of a day full of informative Undercover) as co-host. Throngs of more people at the Spirit in the Words workshops, educational plenaries, stress- women trying to get a peek at Yoba than at the party in the ballroom ful student projects or even board meet- quickly formed a mob that spilled from upstairs,” Black said. “It’s a not-to-be- ings. And the event is definitely a wel- the doors of the room. missed event and I will definitely be in come departure from the situations most “The program promised Shari journalists find themselves in on a daily Headley from All My Chil-dren and basis—the newsroom. Coming to America,” said Gidney. He “They like the good food, and the set- attended Spirit in the Words in Phoenix, “…it offers ting is relaxing,” he said. “It’s a fun-filled but decided against fighting the crowds in night, but it offers journalists an opportu- Orlando after hearing about Yoba’s guest nity to do something other than write appearance. “I wasn’t trying to be journalists an hard stories. And most of the audience cramped up with 1,001 sisters trying to members aren’t used to seeing their col- catch a glimpse of Malik Yoba!” Gidney opportunity to do leagues getting creative.” said. Spirit in the Words also helps bridge About 250 people attend the event, the gaps of distance and age in the organ- according to Miller, which helps keep the something other ization. In Phoenix, Charles Gidney, atmosphere intimate, cozy and relaxing. weekend assignment editor at WFLD- Entries are limited to 20, then whittled TV in Chicago, Ill., said he was especial- down to the 10 finalists who compete for than write ly impressed with a piece titled “Alone.” $1,600 in prizes—$1,000 for first place, “It reflected the poet’s thoughts on being $500 for second place and $100 for third settled in a new and different place with- place—in addition to a shot at publica- hard stories. ” out her family for the sake of her career,” tion in the Spirit in the Words book. he remembered. Contestants are judged on delivery, con-

12 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 tent and creativity. “So many of our members write poetry, and having this For competitors, signing up early and sticking around is a high profile opportunity to share their written prose is great for must, as KFOR-TV anchor/reporter ReShonda Tate Billing- them and great for the many people who attend the event,” sley learned last year in Orlando. She signed up to perform, but Woolfolk said. “Alan Miller does a great job producing the event left after hearing the roster had already been set. each year and we’re very grateful for the support of “I was disappointed, but attended anyway,” Billingsley said. DaimlerChrysler in making sure we have the resources to stage “I left around 11 to pick up a friend from the airport, and later the event.” ● learned my name had been called to come recite! But I’ll make sure I’m in the house this year!” Errin Haines, 24, is the NABJ-Associated Press summer intern Miller said the NABJ convention has by far been the most based in Atlanta, Ga. A 2002 graduate of Oglethorpe University, successful stop on the Spirit in the Words tour, and the contest she has also interned at the Atlanta Daily World, the (Newport is becoming a signature event at the convention, said vice pres- News, Vir.) Daily Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This ident/broadcast and 2002 convention program chair Mike fall, Errin begins Tribune's two-year minority editorial training Woolfolk. program at the Los Angeles Times.

SEED, continued from page 10 photo/design intern at People student projects were about end of the project, what it’s like the NABJ convention, but magazine. This fall he will 15 minutes off-site at the to work for a newspaper,” Riley to cover it. It’s an invaluable become the assistant editor of Disney Institute, where there said. “ They will work under enterprise.” ● his campus paper, was a full range of technology normal deadlines and normal The Gramblinite. available. A satellite news- deadline pressure. They will Lee is NABJ’s secretary. The costs of running the room was setup at the conven- work with professional editors He also serves as SEED NABJ student project are usu- tion center so students could to watch stories go from chicken Chair, which include intern- ally a very big expense for file stories away from the soot to chicken salad and watch ships, scholarships and stu- NABJ. However, the organi- Disney Institute. Many mem- packages come together. There dent projects. He is also sports zation has always received bers were disappointed is no comparable project for stu- wires editor at The assistance from media compa- because they wanted to spend dents than to not only attend Washington Post. nies to offset those costs. This a few moments sharing year is no exception as Journal encouraging words with the Communi-cations—the par- students. You’ve got ent company of the In Orlando, NABJ added Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a new component to the stu- NABJ E-News WTMJ-TV, Newsradio 620 dent project mix – conver- the monthly electronic newsletter of the AM and Journal Interactive— gence. So one large room was National Association of Black Journalists has come on board to provide designed to house every proj- full support of the program. ect. Get the latest information Three other local television Once again, convergence on regional activities, NABJ programming stations (WITI-Fox 6, will be a part of the program, and much more! WDJT-TV-CBS 58 and but this time NABJ officials WISN-TV) also will con- said the projects would be at tribute to the program. Their either the convention center contributions range from get- or at the Hilton, the conven- ting all technical equipment tion’s host hotel. and printing the paper, to pro- After an endless cycle of viding equipment for a con- beating deadlines, editing sto- vention center mini-news- ries and wrapping up pack- If you have not received room. ages, the experience for the E-News, please e-mail Last year in Orlando, the students leaves a lasting [email protected] with your name, address, convention hotel, the impression. phone number and Dolphin, could not host a “Students who work for e-mail address to subscribe. full-scale newsroom. NABJ’s The Monitor will know, at the

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 13 Author Showcase NABJ journalists turned authors showcase their wares in an improved convention event

By STEPHANIA H. DAVIS Convention organizers are hoping Ellis Cose, author of the forthcoming movie, “Barber Shop,” and follow up that regular signings, readings and other Envy of the World, Rage of the Privileged with a humorous talk about both the events will turn the NABJ Author’s Class (1995), and Color Blind: Seeing book and the movie Showcase into a popular aspect of the Beyond Race in a Race Obsessed World Iman, the longtime model whose annual gathering. (1998). book I Am Iman, was published last year, Plans to place several booths in the Deborah Mathis, author of Yet a is also scheduled to appear, said Job Fair, hold seminars on the ins and Stranger: Why Black Americans Still Campbell, who is fashion correspondent outs of the publishing industry and a Don’t Feel at Home (2002) for the Detroit News. He is also author of celebrity author event have led more than All except one of the confirmed SoulStyle, a book about the style of 20 nationally-known authors to commit authors is a member of NABJ, Bundles African-Americans published in 2000, to the 2002 convention. said. and a friend of Iman. “We really wanted to give the mem- “Just as we’ve seen an explosion of The celebrity event will not take any- bership a chance to take advantage of the interest in the last decade from the pub- thing away from the other authors in the list of fantastic authors NABJ has within lishing world and from readers for books showcase and what they have done, its ranks,” said by black authors, so have we seen a paral- Campbell said. A ’Lelia lel explosion of books written by NABJ “This is a celebration of literature and Bundles, co- members. Published authors have always it’s all good,” he said. “This is about the chair of the come from the ranks of print and broad- books, not the people. Somewhere along showcase plan- cast journalists,” she said, “so this is per- the way the NABJ author’s events became ning commit- fectly consistent with the maturity of the about the authors and not the books. I’d tee. “This year organization and the professional devel- like to return it to being about the NABJ mem- opment of our members as NABJ moves books.” bers get the through its third decade of existence.” Bundles’ personal vision is that the spotlight.” The showcase schedule attempts to NABJ Authors Showcase will become a This is the get the authors in front of convention highlight of the NABJ conventions and Bundles first year that attendees as often as possible, Bundles will be so successful that it will attract Bundles, who is director of talent devel- said. publishers and agents who will be inter- opment for ABC News in Wash., D.C. There will be four authors booths set ested in offering book contracts to NABJ and New York, is working on the event. A up on the main floor of the Job Fair. members and it will provide valuable and longtime NABJ member, Bundles is also Thursday and Friday there will be two useful information for those who want to the author of Madam C. J. Walker: panels, one featuring Independent be authors, who want to know how to Entrepreneur and On Her Own Ground Publishers and Self-Publishers and anoth- promote and market their books. and The Life and Times of Madam C. J. er on Publishing with Major Publishing “After all, how many places can pub- Walker, both about Bundles great-great- Houses. Also Thursday and Friday, from lishers and agents go, where, under one grandmother. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., authors will read from roof, there are a couple of thousand Authors confirmed as of May 31 their books each hour while others will African Americans who write well include: sign their books. enough to be published on a regular Tina McElroy Ansa, author of You Also on the schedule is a Celebrity basis?” she said. “I’m committed to build- Know Better, Baby of the Family (1989), Authors Event. Roy H. Campbell, co- ing slowly. But two to three years from Ugly Ways (1993) and The Hand I Fan chair of the showcase planning commit- now, I envision the NABJ Authors With (1998). tee, said he’s confirmed comedian Cedric Showcase as a place where publishers may Venise Berry, author of Colored Sugar the Entertainer, author of Grown Ass want to peg the publication date to Water, All of Me (2001), and So Good Man, for an early Thursday evening NABJ’s convention so that they could (1997). appearance. Cedric will screen his new launch a particular book. What better

14 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 place to get maximum exposure for their hot new title by an Home (Warner, 2002) 0-446-67743-4) African American author than at an NABJ convention where hundreds of columnists, reporters and reviewers—just the peo- Karen Quinones Miller ple whose articles can help sell books—are gathered.” ● ● Satin Doll (Simon & Schuster) 0-743-21433-1 ● Satin Doll (Scribner) 0-7432-1434-X) Stephania H. Davis is a business reporter at the Connecticut ● I’m Telling (Simon & Schuster, 2002) 0-74321-4358 Post. NABJ 2002 Authors Showcase Thomas Oglesby ● What Black Men Should Do Now (Kensington, 2001) Confirmed Authors as of May 31, 2002 0-7582-0171-0

Tina McElroy Ansa Lisa Frazier Page (co-author with Samson Davis et al) ● You Know Better (Wm. Morrow, 2002) 006019779X ● The Pact (Riverhead Books, 2002) 157322216X ● Baby of the Family (1989) ● Ugly Ways (1993) Vince Sanders ● The Hand I Fan With (1998) 0385476019 ● Can’t Get Here from There (First Books, 2000) 158721928X

Janet Cheatham Bell - not member Elmer Smith ● Till Victory Is Won: Famous Black Quotations from the ● Out of My Mind (August Press, October 2002; will not be NAACP (Washington Square Press, 2002) 0-7434-2825-0 published by August 1) 0-9635-7206-7 ● Famous Black Quotations on Mothers (Andrews McMeel, 2002) 0-7407-2260-3 Ron Thomas ● Famous Black Quotations on Sisters (McMeel, 2002) 0-7407- ● They Cleared the Lane: The NBA’s Black Pioneers (U 2261-1 Nebraska Press, 2002) 0-8032-4437-1

Venise Berry Leon Wynter ● Colored Sugar Water (Dutton, 2002) 0-525-94471-0 ● American Skin: Pop Culture, Big Business and the End of ● All of Me (Signet, 2001) 0451202627 White America (Crown, August 2002) 0609604899 ● So Good (Signet, 1997) 0451182480 Yolanda Young ReShonda Tate Billingsley ● On Our Way to Beautiful (Villard, 2002) 0375504931 ● My Brother’s Keeper (Paradigm, 2001) 0970862032

A’Lelia Bundles Butler Talent ● On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker (Scribner, 2001) 0-6848-2582-1 Management ● On Her Own Ground (Washington Square Press, 2002) 0- (for TV Anchors/Reporters) 7434-3173-3 Whether it’s trouble landing a job in a larger market, or Ellis Cose looking for honest feedback and positive training needed to ● Envy of the World (Wash Sq Press, 2002) 0743427157 improve your on-air skills, Butler Talent Management was ● Rage of the Privileged Class (Harper Perennial, 1995) created to help telvesion anchors and reporters work to 0060925949 reach their goals. ● Color Blind: Seeing Beyond Race in a Race Obsessed World Currently recruiting for news, weather and sports. (Harper Perennial, 1998) 0060928875 Send VHS tape to: Roland Martin Butler Talent Managment ● Speak, Brother! A Black Man’s View of America (R. Martin P.O. Box 681178 Media Group, 2002) 0-9719-1070-7 7 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 982-1582 Deborah Mathis E-mail: [email protected] ● Yet a Stranger: Why Black Americans Still Don’t Feel at

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 15 C AREER-WISE

By M.L. LAKE

I overheard a young journalist the other day tell a friend how as long as he remembers that each he planned to hit the NABJ Job Fair in Milwaukee, dazzle encounter, by telephone or the recruiters with his clipps and winning personality and walk off Internet, is an audition of sorts. with a great new job. When I was a recruitment direc- “Great!” I wanted to say. “What’s your game plan?” tor, I often formed impressions Had I asked, I’m sure the response would have run some- about applications – their profes- thing like: “I’m going to dazzle them....” sionalism and their savvy – by the Whereupon I would have said: “Yeah, I heard about your way they conveyed themselves on dream. Now tell me how you’re going to make it a reality. More the telephone. My initial impres- specifically, what steps are you going to take to enhance your sions usually proved correct once I chances of success?” interacted with the person. There are things that a person can do—should have done The Internet has opened up a already—to make dreams achievable. whole new highway of communica- Lake Here’s my advice to individuals who share a variation of the tion in the recruitment arena. It young man’s dream, whether it’s to land a reporting job at a big- offers the ease of acquisition of knowledge and contact, but the ger paper, a TV gig in a market ten notches above your present road is replete with potential potholes. You must take special one or whatever. My underlying theme: Smart preparation. care in e-mailing recruiters not to hit the SEND button before Smart preparation means you don’t just appear at a you’ve proofread your message. Also, you must avoid the temp- recruiter’s table intent on making a good impression. First, tation to get chummy. decide where you’d most like to work—your next job and the Another possible negative of the Internet, especially for print one thereafter. Ask yourself whether your next choice is one that reporters: You can’t present a carefully-chosen portfolio at the enhances your chances of securing your next desired job. Some Job Fair of 10 or 12 of your best clips and think that will be media outlets are known feeders to larger ones. My paper, The accepted as typical of your work. Nowadays, recruiters can visit Virginian-Pilot, for instance, has fed numerous staffers to The your paper’s website to view all of your stories. Philadelphia Inquirer, The Sun and The Washington Post. It Keep this in mind when you contact a media outlet prior to pays to know of such associations. the NABJ Job Fair. Who’s the right contact per- Hopefully, that contact will result in a planned informal son at the outlet for the job you meeting with the recruiter at the convention. Maybe over break- seek. At some, it’s the news- fast or coffee. Dinner, if they’re really impressed. Seek such a Knowing room staff development direc- meeting. Chances are you’ll make a more favorable impression tor; at others, it’s the human one on one than during 20 minutes at the recruitment booth the right resources department. In some with all the inherent distractions. cases, it’s the city editor or the If you’re an experienced journalist, chances are you’ll skip the contact managing editor. Knowing the booths. That’s just not how it’s done. right contact person helps you If you’re a young journalist, make the rounds. Just be pre- avoid misdirected—or worse, pared, and use your time wisely. Don’t fill your dance card with person wasted—efforts. papers like The New York Times and The Washington Post and Once you do some research bypass smaller and mid-sized papers. The same goes for TV job- helps you avoid about the company via the seekers. Don’t neglect the smaller markets. You’ve got to start Internet, contact that person somewhere. wasted (in advance of the convention). Should it be by telephone or by M.L. Lake is public editor and former recruitment director at efforts e-mail? A young reporter asked The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. me that question recently. I 23510. He heads the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals told him it didn’t really matter and can be reached at [email protected].

16 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 BOOKMARKS by RICHARD PRINCE

This issue’s list of books by or about black journalists includes some scathing words by former Black Panther Party chair Elaine Brown, an African-American columnist’s view of the state of the race, the first book on the pioneering blacks in the NBA, and a revisiting of government efforts to intimidate the black press during World War I.

ELAINE BROWN, who chaired the the Washington Post and author of of black journalists, Black Panther Party from 1974 to 1977, books on Elijah Muhammad and including Rehema Ellis has “The Condemnation of Little B” Malcolm X, has “I Am the Greatest: of NBC, Marcella Palmer (Beacon Press, $28.50). The Best Quotations of WCBS-TV New York Now living in Atlanta, from Muhammad Ali” and Byron Pitts of CBS, Brown uses the murder (Andrews McMeel, NABJ’s Journalist of the conviction of a 14-year- $14.95). This hand- Year. However, it’s not old Atlanta boy—“Little sized coffee-table book clear whether these remembrances were B”—to lash out at “this was timed to coincide uttered on air or in hindsight. Tom new trend of indicting with the Will Smith- Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, and punishing black starring “Ali” movie Aaron Brown and Larry King also children as ‘superpredators.’ “In addition released last Christmas. contribute. to delivering scorching assessments of anyone who supported welfare reform, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY, BAKARI KITWANA left his job as such as the Congressional Black Caucus, Time magazine senior editor, who often executive editor of The Source magazine Brown singes a number of black com- writes on cultural topics, has “Aaliyah: to write “The Hip Hop Generation: mentators, including Leonard Pitts of More Than a Woman” (Pocket Books, Young Blacks and the Crisis in African- the Miami Herald, Ellis Cose of paper, $6.99), published American Culture” (Basic/Civitas, $24), Newsweek, Courtland Milloy of the three months after the which he says “examines the major social Washington Post, Juan Williams of 22-year-old singer-actress and political forces that National Public Radio and Fox News, was killed Aug. 25 in a have shaped this genera- and especially Cynthia Tucker, syndicat- plane crash. Though tion, those young ed columnist and editorial page editor of Farley is steeped in the Blacks born between the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and subject matter as part of 1965 and 1984 – the other black journalists at the paper. his beat at Time, the post-civil rights genera- White women such as Hillary book seems padded and hastily done. A tion. America is chang- Clinton and Janet Reno— called “New chapter on Aaliyah’s relationship with ing and Black America Age Miss Anns”—are criticized, as are singer R. Kelly, for example, fails to is changing, yet Black leadership is still academic “Nigger Drivers,” who whip mention the annulment of their mar- asking the same old questions.” He says their own people with their words to riage. his book “expands the discussion of race keep their privileged positions. Brown in America in a way that makes the new also does some investigative reporting of ALLISON GILBERT, realities make sense and defines the new her own to show that perhaps Little B is PHIL HIRSCHKORN, MELINDA challenges, which the old generation of innocent and that the black establish- MURPHY, ROBYN WALENSKY Black intellectuals have difficulty fath- ment rushed to judgment. The book is a AND MITCHELL STEPHENS have oming because it isn’t their reality.” refreshing reminder that conservative edited “Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast thinking hasn’t always been the norm. Journalists Report September 11” THEODORE KORNWEIBEL JR., a (Bonus Books, $24.95). The book’s 133 white professor of African-American his- KARL EVANZZ, a news researcher at contributors include only a tiny handful tory at San Diego State University, offers

NABJ Journal / July 2002 National Association of Black Journalists www.nabj.org 17 “Investigate Everything: guidelines by which we will be able “to Stabbing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Federal Efforts to pass something on to our children.” Jr.,” (Seven Stories Press, $18.95), a Compel Black Loyalty short (132-page) book on a little- during World War I” KAREN E. QUINONES Miller, a remembered incident. (Indiana University Press, former Philadelphia $39.95). All public Inquirer reporter who’s RON THOMAS, a sportswriter for the libraries should have this now an adjunct professor San Francisco Examiner, has “They book. Two chapters in at Temple University, Cleared the Lane: The NBA’s Black particular outline the federal govern- follows her successful Pioneers” (University of ment’s efforts to tone down the Chicago “Satin Doll” with “I’m Nebraska Press, $29.95), Defender and the NAACP’s Crisis maga- Telling” (Simon and the result of 16 years of zine during World War I, equating as Schuster, $23), a novel curiosity about those disloyalty their efforts to report on out- about the consequences a 11-year-old players that Thomas was rages against African Americans such as girl suffers years after witnessing of her able to satisfy only par- lynchings. “Kornweibel shows how the stepfather molest her twin sister. More at tially in an 11-part series government threatened their mailing www.KarenEQuinonesMiller.com. he wrote for the San rights and the potential of broad sedition Francisco Chronicle in 1987. “For those laws to moderate the two publications, LISA FRAZIER PAGE, a reporter with who write about sports,” Thomas says, culminating in Crisis editor W.E.B. the Washington Post’s Young Journalists the book “provides a lot of untold histo- DuBois editorializing in July 1918 that Development Program, has written “The ry about how the NBA became integrat- blacks should “forget our special griev- Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise ed and the personal stories of the players ances and close our ranks shoulder to and Fulfill a Dream, “ with DRS. who achieved that. Specifically, it clears shoulder with our own white fellow citi- SAMPSON DAVIS, up a lot of confusion and misinforma- zens.” This should be read in conjunc- GEORGE tion about who was the first black NBA tion with a comparable book about JENKINS AND player. For black journalists in general, it World War II, Patrick S. Washburn’s “A RAMECK HUNT reminds us all of the everyday frustra- Question of Sedition: The Federal (Riverhead Books, tions and humiliations our parents and Government’s Investigation of the Black $24.95). The three grandparents endured before Brown vs. Press During World War II” (1986). young doctors share Board of Education and the civil rights their journey from a bills of the ‘60s.” DEBORAH MATHIS, a columnist for rough neighborhood in Newark, N.J., Tribune Media Services, has “Yet a where they became best friends in high TOURE, a New York freelancer who is Stranger: Why Black Americans Still school. They promised they would be Rolling Stone magazine’s first-ever black Don’t Feel at Home” (Warner Books, there for one another until they became contributing editor, has “The Portable $23.95). Mathis joins Carl Rowan, Ellis doctors, and they did. This effort devel- Promised Land: Stories by Toure” (Little Cose, Clarence Page and a very few oth- oped from a Post story by Frazier Page Brown, $23.95), a collection of stories, ers in offering a book-length black jour- that ran on Christmas Eve in 2000, the lists and essays, many of them whimsi- nalist’s perspective on the state of the year the three doctors were honored at cal. They include “The race, a topic usually pre-empted by aca- the Essence Awards. While the book Top Fifty Words in demics. Mathis’ view is influenced by does not directly discuss affirmative African-America,” “The her Little Rock upbringing and by her action, Frazier Page says the doctors’ suc- African-American service as a mother of cess wouldn’t have been possible without Aesthetics Hall of Fame, three. The book is it. “So many kids will be able to relate to or 101 Elements of written in the easily them,” she says. Blackness,” “Once an accessible prose of a Oreo, Always an Oreo” newspaper columnist, HUGH PEARSON, and “A Hot Time at the Church of replete with anecdotes. former Wall Street Kentucky Fried Souls.” Though addressed to Journal editorial writer white readers, Mathis says African and Village Voice BLAIR S. WALKER, former Baltimore Americans will find it affirming. She columnist, offers Sun and USA Today writer-turned- concludes by recommending adherence “When Harlem Nearly author, has “Don’t Believe Your Lying to the seven principles of Kwanzaa, Killed King: The 1958 Eyes,” (One World/Ballantine, $22.95),

18 www.nabj.org National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Journal / July 2002 his third novel featuring mother, and Honeymoon, her grand- means ‘white’ and black reporter Darryl mother, Young managed to graduate ‘minority’ as if it means Billups. “Like most black from Howard University and ‘black,’” Wu writes in journalists I know, Darryl Georgetown University Law School,” his thoughtful argu- Billups is a conscientious wrote Wevonneda Minis in the Post and ment for a more inclu- reporter who he’s Courier in Charleston, S.C. More at sive view of racial dis- encountered a bigoted www.onourwaytobeautiful.com cussions. Wu sees him- supervising editor, as well as a self-hating self as writing in the Uncle Tom colleague who would love to Not by or about black journalists, tradition of African- American intellec- relegate Darryl to stepping-stone status,” but noteworthy: tuals W.E.B. DuBois and Cornel West. Walker says. “Unlike most of my friends in this business, from time to time KRISTINA BORJESSON, an inves- LEONARD DOWNIE JR., executive Darryl’s curiosity places him in situa- tigative reporter who has worked for editor of the Washington Post, and tions where he gets shot at. And I won’t CNN and CBS, has Robert Kaiser, an associate editor there, even get into Darryl’s love life, which is edited “Into the have “The News About the News: three times messier than Enron’s Buzzsaw: Leading American Journalism in Peril” (Knopf, accounting practices!” More at Journalists Expose the $25). This well-reported, consumer-ori- www.blairwalker.com. Myth of a Free Press” ented book argues that family- and (Prometheus Books, foundation-owned newspapers produce ERNEST C. WITHERS, a Memphis $26), in which journal- the best journalism, rather than those photographer who won the NABJ ists, white and in broad- owned by companies that Lifetime Achievement Award at the casting, for the most part, recount cor- report to stockholders. Phoenix convention in 2000—one of porate and government efforts to kill They fear for the direc- the highlights of his life, he says—has their investigative work. tion of television news, “The Memphis Blues Again” and they interview the (VikingStudio/Penguin Putnam, $35). DAVID BROCK, the author who Big Three’s anchors. At a The handsome coffee- smeared Anita Hill, has an apologia, Washington Post employ- table book of “Blinded by the Right: The Conscience ee forum on the book, Memphis black music of an Ex-Conservative” (Crown, Downie was asked why diversity was history is subtitled “Six $25.95), which documents his work for missing as an issue in this work, and he Decades of Memphis the famous “vast right-wing conspiracy” replied that “diversity of the country and Music Photographs.” during the Clinton era —one that he the profession was just one of the things More in a New York Times story demonstrates does exist. Though some we assumed is on the agenda” of the http://www.nytimes.com2002/03/19/art ask why readers should believe a man news business. s/design/19WITH.html?todaysheadlines. who admits he lied in past writings, the book is Correction YOLANDA YOUNG, lawyer and syn- alarming in its portrayal The author of “A Life Is More Than a dicated columnist with the black press, of forces that use jour- Moment: The Desegregation of Little has been getting good reviews for an nalism as a front for Rock’s Central High” was listed incor- inspirational memoir that carries the their own political ends. rectly in the last “Bookmarks” column. same name as her column, “On Our It includes a passage The writer, who died last October, is Way To Beautiful” (Villard, $21.95). In about an encounter with syndicated WILL COUNTS; Will Campbell wrote her tale of growing up commentator Armstrong Williams, who the introduction. Also, PATRIK in Shreveport, La., “she has advocated anti-gay positions, but HENRY BASS of Essence relates the kinds of Brock, who is gay, describes as coming magazine has no “c” in his first name. incidents that might on to him. have led some people Richard Prince is a freelance writer and to predict that she FRANK H. WU, an Asian-American editor who works part-time at the would be doomed by law professor at Howard University, Washington Post. He heads the NABJ her surroundings. But with the support offers “Yellow: Race in America Beyond Media Monitoring Committee and can be and encouragement of loving figures Black and White” (Basic Books, $26). reached at [email protected]. such as Big Mama, her great-grand- “People speak of ‘American’ as if it

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