Panelists, recruiters and attendees, network and discuss changes in the industry among other media professionals at the Hilton Chicago, Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the 2024 National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago. Panelists, recruiters and attendees, network and discuss changes in the industry among other media professionals at the Hilton Chicago, Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the 2024 National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago.
“Although the interview rubbed some people the wrong way, it doesn’t change what we are here for. We are fostering a community of Black excellence,” De’Vine said, reiterating NABJ’s longstanding mission to strengthen ties between Black media professionals, journalists included, and celebrate industry contributions and achievements.
By 1975, the few Black journalists who had been hired were often isolated at their outlets and decided to band together “out of a need for survival,” he said. The result was an organization in which Black journalists could mentor one another, share ideas and talk safely about issues they were facing in their newsrooms, as well as in the subjects they covered.
“Of course we should allow presidential candidates to come and be scrutinized, because not only is it an opportunity for the journalists, but it is also an opportunity for the candidate to explain themselves and why we should vote for or vote against them,” he said.