Articles Feature

NABJ President to Face Two Challengers

by richard0565

One Says Poor Investments Cost Group $5 Million

From May 25:

Save the Date – June 21 for Journal-isms’ First Fund-Raiser/ Sweet Honey in The Rock

Also: Not Too Late to RSVP for June 2 Roundtable on Journalists Confronting Family Histories That Include Slavery

And other “Notices”

Homepage photo: Members of the National Association of Black Journalists gather at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., on July 21, 2012. (Video)

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In December, the National Association of Black Journalists marked its 49th anniversary and the kickoff of its 50th anniversary year with this short video. “We will celebrate all year and hold special events at our #NABJ25 Convention in Cleveland and a can’t-miss program in December 2025,” it said. “Stay tuned!”

One Says Poor Investments Cost Group $5 Million

As the National Association of Black Journalists celebrates its 50th anniversary, the movement against diversity, equity and inclusion claims success after success, and its longtime executive director has announced his retirement, three candidates have been certified to run for NABJ president, including broadcast journalist Ken Lemon, the incumbent.

Lemon is challenged by Errin Haines, editor at large at The 19th, contributor to MSNBC and a former vice president – print; and Dion Rabouin, “a veteran multiplatform journalist who has worked as a reporter, editor, anchor and host for global publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and Yahoo Finance,” in his words.

Rabouin accused the organization of implementing a “misguided investment strategy that cost NABJ over $5 million the last five years.”

NABJ announced the certified candidates on Wednesday.

Lemon (pictured, by Joe Thompson/NABJ Monitor) will be only the second incumbent in NABJ history to be challenged for re-election, a circumstance only recently made possible.

In 2017, Sarah Glover became the first NABJ president permitted to run again. That was the result of a 2014 change in the NABJ constitution, which previously limited presidents to one term to give more members a chance at leadership experience.

Glover had no opposition. Her successor, Dorothy Tucker, won reelection in 2021 with 531 votes to 111 for Manuel McDonnell Smith, managing editor at KYW-TV in Philadelphia and a former president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, which is no longer recognized by the national organization.

Although the most newsmaking event during Lemon’s term was the board’s decision to interview then-candidate Donald Trump during last year’s Chicago convention, his challengers say the chief issue today is the direction of the organization.

“We need transformational leadership for our industry, democracy and beloved organization,” Haines (pictured) says in her official statement. “I’ve spent my career speaking truth to power — and fighting for other Black journalists to do the same. At this defining moment in journalism, I’ll lead with courage, clarity and conviction.

“NABJ must rise to meet the current threats facing our profession. Our next 50 years start now. I’ll be a bridge to our future, grounded in our values and legacy. Together, we can build what comes next — and expand our power.”

Rabouin (pictured) wrote, “I’m running for president because NABJ needs a reset. Family, our organization has lost its way and taken a massive step back when it comes to the things that make it matter – to our members and to journalism.” Rabouin added, “I have a detailed, action-oriented plan to remake NABJ into the organization members need it to be to face the challenges ahead of us,” The plan was posted Wednesday on LinkedIn.

One of his points: “End misguided investment strategy that cost NABJ over $5 million the last five years.”

Asked the basis for that statement, Rabouin replied, “My calculations based on NABJ’s investments outlined in its 990 tax forms from 2019 to 2023. The organization’s investment strategy badly underperformed the market and missed out on simple income-generating strategies.”

Executive Director Drew Berry did not respond to a request for comment.

The challengers’ statements followed a recent one from former NABJ president Vanessa Williams, who wrote on Facebook, “Say it loud, Bob Reid! NABJ needs to get back to our activist roots.” Williams was praising Reid, a former NABJ president, who is to be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame class.

NABJ leaders, and their counterparts in other journalists-of-color associations, have indicated that training their members, particularly for middle management jobs, leads as a top priority.

At a March board of directors meeting, NABJ leaders outlined a strategy that involved finding ways around the backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion, rather than protesting it (scroll down).

National Urban League President Marc Morial said on May 15 that his coalition of 20 or so groups fighting to continue diversity, equity and inclusion policies is “trying to figure out a way to include” NABJ and the trade group for Black-press publishers, the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

However, to date, NABJ has not responded to an inquiry about whether it would participate.

At the March meeting of the board of directors, Berry said national membership stood at 4,568, a quarter of them students, boding well for the future. NABJ has $1.7 million in the bank, Berry said.

Waiting for the event that would gather the most attention for NABJ in years, journalists gather Aug. 1 outside the room at the Hilton Chicago where Donald Trump was scheduled to appear for a question-and-answer session at the NABJ convention. (Credit: Chicago Sun-Times staff)

In his statement of candidacy, Lemon, a reporter at WSOC TV in Charlotte, N.C., cited the money he had raised for the organization and said, among other points, “I advocated for Black journalists holding major corporations accountable, including CBS and ABC News, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and ESPN.”

Lemon also said, “I will continue to fight for Black journalists in the face of government interference and constantly shrinking newsrooms. This includes:

  • “Work with the strategic planning committee I established to keep NABJ financially secure despite market changes and attacks on diversity
  • “Strengthen a coalition with media groups to combat interference in the constitutionally protected duty of journalists
  • “Continue partnerships with affinity groups
  • “Expanding NABJ Cares,” for members facing financial hardhips, “to support members in a volatile profession
  • “Expanding the NABJ Leadership Academy to create a pathway to the top for Black journalists
  • “Expanding member training via engaging media institutes and regionals
  • “Adding certified training opportunities.”

Rabouin has been mentioned in Journal-isms at least twice before. When he was laid off from the Wall Street Journal in 2024, he said he was thankful for the Journal experience and added, “Last year, I made around $20,000 on interest and dividends (scroll down). That doesn’t even include the appreciation in the value of the assets I own. Literally 10 years ago, I didn’t even make $20,000 of taxable income. That’s what investing can do.”

In 2022, as a Journal reporter, Rabouin was handcuffed and detained shortly after conducting interviews outside of a Chase Bank. Rabouin was in street clothes because he did not want people to believe he was trying to sell them something, KNXV-TV, known as ABC15, reported at the time. An internal investigation by Phoenix police found that the detaining police officer legally detained Rabouin but violated the department’s search and seizure policy by removing a wallet from his pocket.

The police department determined that the officer would be required to undergo training as a form of discipline.

In a four-way race of note, former NABJ board members Roland Martin and Tre’Vell Anderson are competing for vice president-digital, along with Vince Lang, technical director at CBS News New York, and Angela Smith, digital content manager at KWCH in Wichita, Kan.

See complete candidate statements and those certified for all positions.

May 24, 2025

Save the Date – June 21 for Journal-isms’ First Fund-Raiser/ Sweet Honey in The Rock

(Notices 5-25-25)

Also: Not Too Late to RSVP for June 2 Roundtable on Journalists Confronting Family Histories That Include Slavery

May 27: History Channel Premiers ‘Sitting Bull’
May 30: Free Webinar on Investigating ‘Cold Cases’
May 30: Deadline for Submissions for Walter Cronkite Awards
June 2: From Adam Powell on Reparations Forum via Zoom
June 2: From D.C.’s MLK Jr. Library: Bayard Rustin
June 5: Women’s Media Awards
June 6-12: DC Caribbean FilmFest, American Film Institute
June 7: ‘Black Men in Media’ Discussion in Philadelphia
June 10: Tickets Now Available for SPJ – D.C. Event
June 22: Deadline for Applying for ONA Fellowship
Sept. 3: Deadline for Health and Climate Change Fellowship

Jobs
From these journalist organizations
From the Uproot Project
From Indeed
From LinkedIn

Support Journal-isms

Donations are tax-deductible.

(Notices 5-25-25)

Journal-isms is planning its first-ever fundraiser for Saturday, June 21, in Alexandria, Va., courtesy of the Mildred and Jube Foundation Inc., a non-profit charitable organization.

For their 50th anniversary, we will interview members of the celebrated Sweet Honey in The Rock, the cappella vocal ensemble formed in Washington, D.C., in 1973 who tell the stories of Black culture through women’s voices.

In addition, our colleague Sam Fulwood III will introduce us to Story District, an organization planning “Behind the Headlines: DC Black Journalists Share Their Stories,” a project that plans to “spotlight the personal and professional journeys of six Black journalists in Washington, D.C., culminating in a live storytelling performance in April 2026.

“Through a structured development process — including community engagement, mentorship, rehearsals, and media documentation—this initiative will preserve and amplify the voices of Black journalists whose stories reflect the challenges, triumphs, and nuances of reporting in the nation’s capital,” the group says. The project is being funded by Humanities DC.

We will also have live jazz and good conversation. Tickets are $75 before Father’s Day, June 15, and $100 afterward.

The pre-sale tickets at $75 may be purchased by a check made out to the Mildred and Jube Foundation Inc. at:

7943 Richmond Highway
Suite 10
Alexandria, VA 22306

Mailed-in checks must be postmarked before June 13.

Others, please hit “reply” for an official invitation, with information on how to obtain tickets.

Or, you may simply donate here:

Support Journal-isms

Donations are tax-deductible.

Bobbi Bowman searches through records at the Campbell County, Va., Courthouse in Rustburg on Feb. 7, 2018. (Credit: Jay Westcott/News & Advance)

Not Too Late to RSVP for June 2 Roundtable on Journalists Confronting Family Histories That Include Slavery

Our next Roundtable takes place by Zoom at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 2. The topic is “Black Journalists Confronting Family Histories That Include Slavery.”

If all goes as planned, the session will be simulcast on Facebook at < https://www.facebook.com/RPjournalisms/ > and posted afterward on the Journal-isms YouTube channel.

Our panelists are:

Bobbi Bowman speaks to the D.C. chapter of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society in January 2024 about how her family survived slavery. (Credit: YouTube)

“How one man (Bobbi’s 2nd Great Grandfather) bought his own freedom in 1842 Virginia then allowed himself to be sold back into slavery in order to be close to his wife and family in Campbell County, VA. . . . “

“An astounding multigenerational saga, Red Clay chronicles the interwoven lives of an enslaved Black family and their white owners as the Civil War ends and Reconstruction begins. . . . ”

“I Am Nobody’s Slave tells the story of one Black family’s pursuit of the American Dream through the impacts of systemic racism and racial violence. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America, influenced each generation, and how they succeeded despite these challenges. . . .”

“Bibb Country follows Lonnae O’Neal back in time as she pieces together generations of her family history against the sweep of American history, unearthing hidden triumphs, traumas, and a specialty strain of lettuce along the way. . . .”

In addition, John Yearwood will provide a brief update on plans for the Fallen Journalists Memorial on the National Mall. “With the very idea of press freedom under attack in many parts of the world, it is more important than ever that we establish a physical presence in the heart of the nation’s capital to educate millions of visitors and future generations about the critical role of the free press as a pillar of democracy,” project director Vince Randazzo has said.

Who’s in?

Zoom information will come after RSVPs.

May 27: History Channel Premiers ‘Sitting Bull’

“The HISTORY Channel™ will premiere its new epic, two-night documentary event ‘Sitting Bull’ on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28 at 9/8c. Executive Produced by Appian Way’s Leonardo DiCaprio, narrated by Moses Brings Plenty, and starring Kul Wičaša Lakota actor Michael Spears, the four-hour documentary series offers an overarching exploration of the remarkable life and accomplishments of the fiercely brave yet humble Lakota chief from his origins as a tribal warrior, to his involvement in defending native lands, to his leadership in guiding the Lakota people through a tumultuous time in American history.

” ‘Sitting Bull’ is also executive produced by Crystal Echo Hawk, Larry Pourier, Dee Jay Two Bears and Stephen David Entertainment, and in partnership with IllumiNative and GroupM Motion Entertainment.

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and The HISTORY Channel co-hosted a virtual screening and panel discussion for ‘Sitting Bull’ on May 21. Panelists were to be Michael Spears, who plays “Sitting Bull,” and co-director Christopher Nataanii Cegielski (Navajo). ICT Executive Editor and IJA Vice President Jourdan Bennett-Begaye (Diné) was to moderate the discussion.

May 30: Free Webinar on Investigating ‘Cold Cases’

Please join us next Friday, May 30, at noon Eastern for a free webinar with tips and resources for investigating “cold cases.”

Click here to register for this free webinar: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hjIHXh2ETK2WvkvioFa_Bw#/registration

Two of our recent grantees will share how they investigated decades-old civil rights “cold cases” and uncovered new leads. They’ll share tips and resources for other journalists who want to dig into similar cases.

Ben Greenberg will share how he investigated the 1965 case of a police officer who was never charged for shooting a Black man in Louisiana. Greenberg’s reporting uncovered new evidence that the shooting was unprovoked – and his reporting led the former head of the FBI’s civil [rights] division to advocate for reopening the case. Sandra Chapman will share how she investigated the unsolved 1968 murder of a young Black woman, identifying a witness with a new lead in the case. Both journalists received support from the Fund for their investigations.

Four-time Peabody Award-winning journalist Ellen Weiss will discuss the stories with Greenberg and Chapman. Click here to register today: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hjIHXh2ETK2WvkvioFa_Bw#/registration. 

The next deadlines to apply for grants from the Fund are in September. Details are online here: https://fij.org/apply-for-a-grant/. 

Thank you,

The Fund for Investigative Journalism team

May 30: Deadline for Submissions for Walter Cronkite Awards

Mindful of Walter Cronkite’s warning that “a free, unintimidated and unregulated press is democracy’s early warning system against … the approach of tyranny,” judges of the 2025 Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Political Journalism competition have announced a call for entries that demonstrate how a free press defends democracy.

Winning submissions will investigate threats that democracy now faces and provide exemplary coverage of efforts. . .. Details here

June 2: From Adam Powell on Reparations Forum via Zoom

You and all of our Journal-isms friends are join us on Monday, June 2, 9 am EDT, for a discussion of the African Union’s theme for 2025, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” (for background, see the African Union web site at https://au.int/en/theme/2025) Online only. For the Zoom link, please RSVP at https://annenberg.usc.edu/events/cclp/africa-us-forum-african-unions-2025-theme-justice-africans-and-people-african-descent (Photo: Adam Powell at Journal-isms Roundtable)

The next Africa-US forum:

6/30 9 am EDT “The Future of Africa – U.S. Health Diplomacy: Perspectives from the Continent.” To attend in-person in Washington DC or via Zoom, please RSVP at  https://annenberg.usc.edu/events/cclp/future-africa-us-health-diplomacy-perspectives-continent-part-2-current-and-projected

Other upcoming forums:

–  5/20 2 pm EDT How AI Is Used Now and the Future of Being Human. Online only, please RSVP at https://annenberg.usc.edu/events/cclp/ai-use-now-and-future-being-human

– 6/25 11 am EDT: How the World Views the US: A 24-country Survey. To join in person in Washington DC or online, please RSVP at https://annenberg.usc.edu/events/cclp/how-world-views-us-24-country-survey

If you missed the March 31 forum, “The Future of Africa-U.S. Health Diplomacy: Perspectives from the Continent,” African public perceptions and responses to US and European foreign aid cuts, the video is available on demand at  https://youtu.be/jQMfOyoeIzA

The Africa-US forums are presented by (in alphabetical order):

– the African Centre for the Study of the U.S., University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; 

 – the Annenberg Center for Communication Leadership and Policy, University of Southern California; 

 – the Center for African Studies, Howard University; 

 – the Institute for African Studies, George Washington University, 

–  the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health at the USC Keck School of Medicine, and

 – the Public Diplomacy Council of America.

Regards,

Adam Clayton Powell III

Adam

Executive Director, USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative, and

Director, Annenberg Center Washington Programs

USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy

University of Southern California, and

Co-Host, “White House Chronicle” weekly on PBS, SiriusXM and https://whchronicle.com/

email acpowell (at) usc.edu

mobile +1 703-848-5232

https://electionsecurity.usc.edu/
https://communicationleadership.usc.edu/africas-us-initiative/

…

June 2: From D.C.’s MLK Jr. Library: Bayard Rustin

Brother Outsider Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin Screening and Talkback 
Monday, June 2, 7 p.m., MLK Library 

Enjoy a screening of award-winning documentary and a panel discussion moderated by journalist Richard Fowler in conversation with the co-director Bennett Singer, Bayard Rustin’s life partner Walter Naegle and other esteemed panelists. 
Register for Brother Outsider

June 5: Women’s Media Awards

From Women’s Media Center:

Women’s Media Center Co-Founders Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem Announce The Women’s Media Center’s 20th Anniversary Women’s Media Award Honorees

New York, New York — May 7th, 2025 — Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem – the Co-Founders of The WOMEN’S MEDIA CENTER – have announced the honorees for the Women’s Media Center’s 20th Anniversary Women’s Media Awards to be held on Thursday, June 5th at the JW Marriott Essex House Hotel in New York City. The event will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Media Center.

The WMC AWARDS are presented to outstanding leaders and champions for women in media. 

Read more about the honorees and event here.

Get tickets here.

June 6-12: DC Caribbean FilmFest, American Film Institute

In recognition of Caribbean Heritage Month in June, the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center is proud to once again host the DC Caribbean FilmFest, now in its 23rd year. The Fest is co-presented with the Caribbean Association of World Bank Group and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professional Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and Africa World Now Project.

Special thanks to media sponsor WPFW.

June 7: ‘Black Men in Media’ Discussion in Philadelphia

From Sarah Glover at WHYY in Philadelphia via LinkedIn:

The Black Men in Media Summit takes place Saturday, June 7 at WHYY. This gathering is free and open to all. We are excited to provide professional development training, personal branding instruction, resume reviews and free professional headshots. Plus, we are providing health and wellness support. We’ve got a range of folks volunteering their time to support everyone such as MSNBC’s Trymaine Lee, 6abc’s Rick Williams, CBS3’s Don Bell and representatives from the 76ers and ESPN, plus more. Lunch will be served and a light breakfast.

Register here… https://lnkd.in/eQGwhkit

June 10: Tickets Now Available for SPJ – D.C. Event

From the D.C. chapter, Society of Professional Journalists:

Let’s get together

We’re hosting a new event, and we’d love to see you there. Join us for SPJ DC 2025 Dateline Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner, June 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

Register soon because space is limited.

We hope you’re able to join us!

Register here

June 22: Deadline for Applying for ONA Fellowship

Fellowship and support for journalism’s emerging talent

The call for applications is now open for the 2025 MJ Bear Fellowship.

The year-long fellowship honors ambitious journalists under 30 years old from around the world and supports them as they lead a digital journalism project. 

MJ Bear Fellows will receive:

Complimentary registration and travel scholarships to attend ONA25 in New Orleans and connect with the industry’s leading thinkers and doers 

Three coaching sessions tailored to the fellowship cohort’s interests and goals

ONA membership for three years.
Apply by June 22
The MJ Bear Fellowship is made possible through generous contributions by the MJ Bear Estate, friends of MJ Bear and ONA, MSN International and Microsoft.

Registration information

Sept. 3: Deadline for Health and Climate Change Fellowship

Our Health and Climate Change Reporting Fellowship supports journalism that focuses on physical health, mental health or both, with an eye to the systemic inequities that worsen the impact of climate-related disasters and delay recovery for families and communities. Projects should focus on how climate change and health plays out in the United States in a dangerously warming world.

Fellows receive:

● Two days of intensive training in Los Angeles from Nov. 13-14

● Reporting grants of $2,000-$10,000

● Five months of one-on-one mentorship from a veteran journalist

● Monthly virtual meetings with fellow journalists

This program is designed to look at the interaction of climate change and human health. While there are many other worthy stories to be done on a warming planet, from the effects on oceans to the survival of species, those journalism proposals would not fit under the umbrella of this program.

Disasters always prompt a flurry of stories; we’re looking for proposals that dig deeper.

We encourage you to discuss your ideas with us. Please reach out through our Interest Form. 
APPLY BY SEPTEMBER 3!
Interested in learning more? Arrange a conversation with us today!
ARRANGE A CONVERSATION

JOBS

From these journalist organizations

From the Uproot Project

Job opportunities:

Fellowships, grants, & other opportunities:

From Indeed via Todd S. Burroughs

Reporter II, Congress NPR 3.8
Washington, DC • Remote
$105,000 – $122,000 a year
Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Economics, History, Journalism or another writing-intensive discipline and/or equivalent work experience.

From LinkedIn

  • Washington Examiner
  • Washington DC-Baltimore Area (Hybrid) $58K/yr

  • Response time is typically 4 days

  • Arlington, VA (On-site)
  • 401(k) benefit

    • Be an early applicant

  • Easy Apply

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