NABJ Membership has its privileges

By Mia Moody-Ramirez

United we stand. Birds of a feather, flock together. Membership has its privileges. Strength in numbers. These are just a few of the phrases that come to mind when one considers joining a group.

Whether it is the Society of Professional Journalists or Public Relations Student Society of America, club membership provides participants with invaluable opportunities to discuss issues of common interest, meet professionals, cultivate and share ideas and network.

However, when you are a racial or ethnic minority student considering a profession that is predominantly Caucasian, being a member of mainstream association can sometimes leave one feeling left out or alone in a crowd. That is one reason many journalists of color also belong to minority associations.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide. Founded by 44 men and women on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation.
Many of NABJ's members also belong to one of the professional and student chapters that serve black journalists nationwide.
According to its website, NABJ is committed to the following:
• Strengthening ties among black journalists;
• Sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for black journalists;
• Expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veteran, young and aspiring black journalists, while providing continued professional development and training;

One of the biggest benefits of belong to the organization is the opportunity to network with other minority journalists locally and on a national level. Being involved with a minority association allows journalists of color from all over the country to discuss unique issues that may not be at the top of the agenda at majority associations, such as cultural competency, racial/ethnic health disparities and discrimination in the workplace.
Belonging to a minority association also provides an opportunity to come together with other students who share the same culture, values and traditions.

Members can expand their network within the journalism industry; gather with colleagues at NABJ Media Institute programs and regional events; participate in online discussion groups; and benefit from the expertise of seasoned media professionals through year-round fellowships and workshops.

Other benefits include:

NABJ Journal - the organization's official publication presents news and addresses issues about NABJ and the media that affect black journalists and the community. The Journal is a quarterly magazine. Our members only Web access provides portal access to the NABJ Journal online.

NABJobs Online- Online job matching service allows members to post resumes and search for jobs listed by participating organizations and companies. Media companies can post or edit job openings and also review resumes of potential candidates online.

NABJ E-News Updates- Members receive email updates to keep current on news about black journalists and the industry; receive special reports that provide insight into media policy and other topics of interest.

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.”