Baylor NABJ's Mentorship Program

Baylor’s National Association of Black Journalists is sponsoring its first Mentor  Dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 29 in the Baylor Castellaw Communications Building.

Members of the organization hope to connect students with professionals in the community who will share their experiences with them, said NABJ President Jessica Foumena.

“We have been trying to increase our membership for some time,” she said. “And this is just one way we hope to keep students interested in NABJ.”

Baylor’s Department of Journalism and Media Arts is sponsoring the event, which will include professionals from print, broadcasting, Web, marketing and public relations. Dr. Clark Baker, department chair, said the mentorship program is one way to increase the number of minorities majoring in journalism at Baylor.

"We believe diversity is important in any field, but particularly journalism," he said. "This program is an important and innovative step toward retaining the students we have and likely increasing our number in the future."

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide. Baylor’s student chapter, which meets monthly, has been active for about seven years.

“The organization offers a great opportunity for students to network with other students on campus,” said Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez, chapter adviser.

Moody-Ramirez developed the idea for the NABJ Mentorship Program last fall after talking with African-American professionals such as Jay Hicks who wanted to collaborate with the student chapter of NABJ, but were unsure of the capacity.

“We want to help in any way we can,” said Hicks, Director of New Media at CBS affiliate News 10 KWTX. “It is up to us to impart our knowledge to the next generations of journalists.”

Hicks, a Baylor graduate, said the two have received a favorable response from several community members regarding the organization.

“Recruitment and retention of journalism professionals and students will be one of our goals,” he said. “We hope to encourage African-Americans to consider Waco when they apply for jobs and college.”

NABJ student members look forward to the mentorship program. They hope that the program will give them the chance to learn more about the journalism program and better themselves as aspiring journalists.

“I am very grateful for this program,” said News Editorial/Broadcast sophomore Christopher Mitchell. “We did not have a club like this in Arkansas. I cannot wait.”

For now, Foumena continues to get the word out about the student chapter of NABJ. She has been instrumental in increasing the number of student members through texting, e-mailing and “Facebooking.”

“Today's students are accustomed to social media, so I have found it is the best way to stay in touch,” Foumena said. “I will do whatever it takes.”