NABJ JSHOP high school students Ryan Dawson and Laila Dyer visit station WBEZ to learn what it takes to produce a podcast. / Photo: JSHOP X Account.
The National Association Black of Journalists (NABJ) recently held their annual convention and career fair this year in Chicago. Journalists of all ages came together to celebrate and elevate the role of Black journalists in the media. I was fortunate enough to take part in some of the convention’s activities thanks to NABJ JSHOP.
The time spent was filled with congregation and community that created a space for networking that I enjoyed. When this opportunity was presented to me I was ecstatic. As a young journalist, I am always looking for new endeavors to broaden my skills as a writer, and this convention allowed me to do so while in a safe environment. The welcoming atmosphere was one of my favorite parts of the convention aside from the exposure and our mentors.
The National Association Black Journalists was founded in 1975 by a group of Black journalists who gathered in Washington, D.C.. NABJ is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides innovative, quality programs and services to its members with a strong commitment to advocating and strengthening ties among Black journalists, student journalists, journalism educators, and media professionals that extends to their youth program. NABJ JSHOP is a journalism workshop for teens to participate in and learn the fundamentals of journalism from active members of the journalism field.
The junior journalism workshop was founded by Russell LaCour, JSHOP’s former director who passed his role onto the current director Dr. Sheryl Haydel. College professor and JSHOP mentor Dr. Haydel has worked with the program for over a decade and continues to pour into the youth.
Director Haydel was kind enough to share her experience as the director of JSHOP. “I love being a director. I’ve been in this role since 2017 and I get to meet incredible students… who come to us. Some are so prepared and then others are just curious about journalism, so I love being a part of that journey for them and opening doors and unlocking new discoveries that make this feel so exciting and a consideration for them.”
NABJ provided endless opportunities including networking, knowledge, and getting the chance to hear former president and presidential candidate Donald Trump speak with a group of panelists. Like many members of the convention, JSHOP students were unaware of Trump’s invited presence at the convention. Jermale Dabney, a JSHOP participant and winner of the NABJ Big Impact Award, shared his thoughts on Trump’s involvement with the convention and his reactions.
“I felt really excited to be able to be in that environment with a bunch of other really talented journalists, but I wasn’t expecting too many positives from the Trump point of view.”
The True Star student journalist added, “My first thought was: ‘Why? Why now after he’s declined to come to the convention so many times? And why such short notice?’”
Aside from attending the panel, JSHOP was generous enough to take students across the city to explore, learn, and gain experience as reporters. Students began the day with a trip to one of Chicago’s premiere radio stations, WBEZ. While there, participants, including myself, had a chance to record a radio show, take a tour of the facility, and sit in on a pitch meeting. Next, we headed to Pearl’s Place for lunch before taking a trip to True Star Media. The students had the chance to get a tour of the office, interview other True Star students, learn how to work equipment and participate in our YouTube series, Two Minute Talks. The day ended with a trip to Black owned dessert shop, Shawn Michelle’s.
If you’re a high school student interested in journalism or looking to expand your perspective, I highly recommend the JSHOP program to you!
By Amariyah Mallory, Junior, Whitney Young
IG| Dancemari_
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