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Lee Elected NABJ President
Gregory Lee hugs his brother Gabriel as he gets the news that he has been elected president of NABJ. (Eric Burse/NABJ Monitor)
By Naomi E. Prioleau, Faran Foy and Daniella Dorcelus
NABJ Monitor
Greg Lee was elected NABJ president Friday, defeating Deirdre Childress and Charles Robinson.
Lee, who will take the reins from Kathy Y. Times, received 294 votes in Friday’s election. Childress trailed Lee with 168 votes, followed by Robinson who tallied 50 votes.
“I feel very overwhelmed, very privileged and I value everything because NABJ members recognize me,” Lee said after hearing he was elected president.
Lee, who at age 37 becomes the youngest president of the organization, said during a news conference that he was “honored” to be elected as NABJ’s 19th president.
“I’m so very honored and humbled by this awesome responsibility that I have and with my team for the next two years,” he said.
Lee, senior assistant sports editor at the Boston Globe, said his next course of business is to begin planning the 2012 convention in New Orleans and to fill NABJ’s three empty board seats.
Shortly after, Childress posted on her Facebook page that the election results were announced. “I lost the election, but UNITY lives on. I am proud to embrace people of all races.”
She later posted, “And the NABJ president will have to honor the people’s will.”
Childress told an NABJ TV reporter that she thought there were voting irregularities and she plans to call for a recount. She later told the reporter “[expletive] NABJ.”
After hearing the news, Robinson wished Lee well.
“It’s been a great process, challenging each others’ ideas, but we’re all great friends and whoever leads this organization will need the support of everyone,” he said.
Robinson said, “NABJ will survive” and “we should not settle for mediocrity; we should build exceptional journalists, people who are leaders in the newsroom, people who dare to dream.”
Earlier Friday, the candidates were making their last push, handing out literature, shaking hands and urging members to vote before polls closed at 5 p.m.
During his campaign, Lee told the membership he was a good fit because he possessed the ability to challenge NABJ to stay in constant motion through leadership development, meeting membership needs and honoring NABJ’s founding principles.
Lee acknowledged that he will have plenty of challenges ahead as president. In addition to planning the New Orleans convention, Lee will have to work with the executive director and the board to find ways to boost membership and steer NABJ on a progressive path as the industry continues to evolve.
“We have a lot of work to be done and everyone knows based on my past that I work hard for you,” Lee said during a news conference. “I’ll continue to do so, so that you can get the best services possible and make sure that I fight on your behalf with jobs in the industry — but not only jobs but opportunities to become managers and to run newsroom.”
Lee, NABJ’s 19th president and first sports journalist, will also have to deal with NABJ’s decision to withdraw from UNITY: Journalists of Color. It will be up to Lee to lead discussions about reunification with the alliance.
Turnout in this election was low compared with the 2008 election in Tampa, Fla. There were about 515 total votes Friday, according to NABJ election officials. In Tampa, 1,326 votes were cast.
NABJ has 3,500 members with an estimated 2,500 attending the Philadelphia convention.
“I have been a member since 1983,” said NABJ member Kelly Williams. “There are always people who will be disappointed when their favorite candidate doesn’t win. This organization needs strong leaders. The fact that so many seasoned journalists want to lead is something we should all be proud of.”
NABJ TV reporter Modupe Idowu contributed to this story.
Lee's campaign team prays after getting the results of the election. (Eric Burse/NABJ Monitor)
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Zuri Berry
August 6, 2011 at 12:59 am
A big congratulations to Greg for this accomplishment. Celebrate tonight and then roll up your sleeves because there’s work to do. Chea.
Michelle Johnson
August 6, 2011 at 1:00 am
Editorial Note: This comment, posted by former NABJ President Will Sutton on Aug. 5 has been moved to this story from the earlier bulletin that was posted when the election results were announced:
Congrats to Greg Lee, the new NABJ president!
I remember approaching a young Greg about national office and greater participation at a regional conference in New Orleans years ago. He took the advice, counsel and encouragement to heart, and he hasn’t stopped since. Now, he ascends to our beloved organization’s highest office.
I’m proud of you, Greg.
Will Sutton
NABJ President, 1999-2001
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Robert Toporek
August 6, 2011 at 1:33 am
Congrads to all that ran and have contributed so much of their time, energy and soul into this critical organization. And to Mr Lee a special congrads.
The work you did in bringing the organizations fiscal integrity back into balance was no easy task and the experience will serve you well as president
Taffery walker
August 6, 2011 at 4:34 am
Hello Greg . This is ya cousin Taffery Lynell n Larry sister. Congrats on everything! I’m proud of you
Shante Morgan
August 6, 2011 at 4:57 am
I was among several people who were with Deirdre when the reporter called. She declined to give an interview, shook her hand and thanked her for being kind to her in previous interviews and got into the hotel elevator.
I demand a retraction here and in Richard Prince’s column.
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Deirdre Childress
August 6, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Over the 26 years of being a member I have loved and supported all members of NABJ. Every year, I mentor more than 40 student journalists. I am extremely disappointed by the comment printed in the NABJ Monitor regarding a supposed statement. This is a completely untrue, unwarranted and should never have been published. I officially had no comment. I would like an immediate retraction and an apology to be printed. I thank all my supporters and wish all of the best to the incoming NABJ board members!
NABJ Monitor
August 6, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Former NABJ presidential candidate Deirdre Childress has challenged a quote that appeared in a Saturday, August 6, NABJ Monitor article about the election. Childress said on Saturday morning that the comment was made “by an overzealous supporter and not me.” Monitor staff verified the initial quote during press time on Friday, August 5. On Saturday, staff had a follow-up conversation with the reporter who conducted the interview with Childress. The Monitor stands behind the original quote.
Russell Contreras
August 6, 2011 at 5:22 pm
NAHJ members in Boston are proud that our brother-in-struggle Greg Lee will lead NABJ and we are excited to work with him on diversity issues in media. When Greg Lee was born, Boston was going through violent busing/race riots and blacks and Latinos weren’t allow to venture in certain parts of the city. Today, Greg Lee is the next NABJ president and lives in a city that is now “majority minority” but whose media outlets are still lagging behind to reflect a new reality. This, my brothers and sisters, is about to change.
Anthony W Lanier
August 7, 2011 at 4:18 am
Congratulations to Gregory Lee on his election as the new NABJ president. I believe his top goal in that position is to convince the board, planning committee and members to have the convention in Boston, Massachusetts. NABJ is a journalist organization. Black history is gathering dust in the city because of racial perceptions. Louis Farrakhan, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. lived in the city. Their story is here. Our Black history story is here. Journalists are supposed to cover the story. Where are the Black Journalists?
Gregory H.Lee Sr.
August 7, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Congratulations Mr. President on your victory. I would like to also thank those who supported my son and those who did not. To God be the glory for the things he has done. It was an honor and privledge attending the NABJ 2011 Convention. May the Lord continue to advance the NABJ, for the vision is greater then any one person.
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