By Dion Rabouin
nabjconvention.org

The Rattlers were in full effect as alumni of Florida A&M University turned out en masse to support new NABJ President and FAMU alumna Kathy Times.

When Times’ name was announced as President-elect, a chorus of hisses – a calling card of FAMU students and alumni  – shot forth from the crowd that made no secret about their jubilation for their fellow Rattler.

“I am so proud of Kathy! I am proud of the entire Rattler Nation,” said Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU’s division of journalism.

“We talk about the importance of students learning from the best and the fact that a fellow Rattler– obviously at the top of her game — has become the president of the National Association of Black Journalists is quite an honor and a privilege.”

More than 20 students from FAMU were in attendance at the news conference announcing Times as NABJ president. After the ceremony, the group gathered around Times to take a group photo, each with two fingers extended like a snake’s fangs to show their school spirit.

“It was just exciting because we have been helping her campaign and just to see her road coming from when she first announced that she was running to her winning was very exciting,” said FAMU student and NABJ student member Faran Foy. “It’s just exciting to see one of your own make it.”

The Rattler pride was stoked earlier in the evening when Georgia Dawkins, a student at FAMU, was announced as the new NABJ student representative.

“It means so much for program and for the school of communications at FAMU,” Foy said. “There’s just so much esteem and pride and I’m just so happy for both Georgia Dawkins and Kathy Times right now.”

Family members  and friends gathered Friday night at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa for the Sam Lacy Pioneer Awards Ceremony to celebrate those who have made achievements in sports and sports journalism.

Lee Roy Selmon, a pro-football hall-of-famer and current president of the USF Foundation Partnership for Athletics, accepted a Pioneer award at the ceremony and spoke about why the achievements of  Sam Lacy, an African-American sports journalist  who died in 2003, should be respected.

“He built his career around truth. Things that needed to be changed, he brought it to the world of sports.”

Other recipients of the Pioneer award included Ken Riley, former NFL star/coach and athletic director at Florida A&M University, Maritza Correia,  Olympic silver medalist, Fred Goodall, an Associated Press sports writer based in Tampa, Doug Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Director of Pro Scouting, and professional golfer Jim Dent. Brian McIntyre, NBA senior vice president of basketball communications, received a merit award.

— Natelege Whaley

Angelo's fan.

By Wesley Lowery

Wiping away the sweat dripping from his forehead on Friday afternoon, NABJ presidential candidate Angelo Henderson jogged between his two campaign booths – one outside of the career fair and the other just a few feet away from the polls.

With just four hours until the polls closed, Henderson has stepped up campaigning efforts and visibility, choosing to hand out pamphlets and paper fans to convention-goers who, like him, are victims of the Tampa heat.

“Today is the big day, it’s stump day,” Henderson said.

He wasn’t the only candidate with an increasingly visible presence in the election’s final hours.

“I think I have been the most visible candidate in my race,” said Sherlon Christie, one of three candidates for secretary.

Christie was spotted working booth in the lobby and career fair floors – shaking hands and urging NABJ members to cast their vote.

Both Vice President-Print candidates, Rochelle Riley and Deidre Childress were actively recruiting votes, too.

Riley, who personally manned her booth outside of the polling location, said she was “excited” to find out the results of tonight’s campaign, while Childress’ campaign member Racquel Harper solicited votes in the convention center hallway.

“Have you voted yet?” Harper asked passers-by. “Will you please vote for Deidre Childress for Vice President-Print?”

Some agreed. Others just kept walking.

Misty Anderson, Alexis Wiley , and Amanda Barrett wait to vote. ( Breana.Copeland/nabjconvention.org)

The momentum for this year’s election has been picking up at the Tampa Convention Center. Voters lined up outside the poll room Friday afternoon to cast their votes for the 2009 NABJ candidates.

The candidates heavily campaigned outside the polls, passing out stickers, buttons and other campaign paraphernalia to convention attendees.

Attendees were also able to vote on the NABJ Web site, but many chose to vote on-site today.

Campaign chairs said voter turnout was slow this morning but picked up after the lunch hour.

The hallway outside the poll room was flooded with candidates and convention attendees chattering and waiting to vote.

The anticipation is growing for election results that will be announced at a 5:30 p.m. press conference.

Check nabjconvention.org for updates.

By Nicquel Terry

Danyell Irby
nabjconvention.org

Convergence!
Say Whaaat?
For some, it’s a dirty word that hearkens way back to painful memories of having to get rid of a typewriter for a computer.

For others, it’s listening to their media organization leaders’ cry of money woes and watching their longtime talented colleagues get shown the door.

Many of us already had our workload increased, faced salary cuts and dealt with furloughs. Now you want us to do what?

Say what? Turn my intelligent radio piece into some blurb for the web? Re-fashion my TV package for print? Copy-edit that? Say What!

Well, I’m here to tell you that the fear is no different for us dedicated do-gooders who want to impart our love for the craft to the next generation at the NABJ student projects

It’s like a family reunion of sorts with a handful of my dedicated brothers and sisters, external colleagues who are dedicated professionals across radio, TV, print, video and online.

We arrived on Saturday and Sunday with one common goal: To share our years of experience with nearly 40 eager, not-yet jaded, college students with an interest in going into this crazy business of journalism.

Our first editorial meeting (among the professionals) was a manifestation of the pot boiling over in the industry. TV folks complained of being dissed. Radio waved it’s step-child hands as high as it could, print folks continue their quiet but steady simmering and online wants to know, “Are we ever going to get stories online?”

We talked and yelled across silos, and fought back tears because that’s what it takes sometimes to get your point across to those you love. In the end, we were reminded of what a magnificent blessing it is – especially in this economic climate – to have a group of smart, black journalists shaping the future of our craft.

Faran Fony, right, attends the FAMU reception at the Marriott Hotel. (Larry Miller/nabjconvention.org)

By Larry Miller
nabjconvention.org

NABJ members were treated to fellowship over wine and food on Thursday night at a round media receptions at the convention hotels. They each had a different flavor.

Target, The New York Times and Florida A & M University sponsored receptions for attendees. Target’s played on the company’s red and white bulls-eye logo, with color splashed on the walls and tables.

“I am here because I want to build relationships with professionals and get career advice, ” said Ericka Stoxwell, a news producer from Des Moines, Iowa, who attended the Target reception. 

Florida A&M’s reception was dramatic yet personal, with a seasoned meat cutter who greeted attendees with uniquely presented meats displayed on a bright display table.

For alumni, students and NABJ members in attendance, the event reception was an opportunity to support the school and network with professionals. 

“I’ve been looking forward to this all year,” said Faran Fony, 19, a junior at Florida A&M University.

The New York Times reception was by far the most impressionable. On the 11th floor of the Westin Hotel, NABJ founders Acel Moore and Reginald Bryant explained the continued need for NABJ even as America celebrates its first African-American president.
 ”Discrimination is more nuanced today,” said Moore.

By Bliss Davis
nabjconvention.org

The Black Press: The Answer, Not The Alternative was among one of the first wave of sessions held at the NABJ convention on Thursday.

Headliner Rev. Al Sharpton was the featured speaker, but had a last-minute funeral to attend.

Even so, the room of nearly 50 journalists and a five-member panel of diverse journalism professionals discussed the hot topic of the day: the black press’ presence in mainstream media.

The panel and audience talked about the difference between the black press and blacks in the wider media industry at the beginning of the session, confusing some in the process.

 “What exactly do you mean by ‘the black press’ and ‘blacks in the media?’ ” asked an attendee.

The answer? Black media is more than just a black-owned television station, newspaper or magazine. Though mainstream media includes blacks in its content, the point of view varies too greatly to positively reflect black culture.

Simply put, the industry needs black media since it is by and for black people.

Black journalists can cater to issues in the black community that mainstream outlets would normally consider an afterthought to report on. Focus coupled with a passion for the black community gives black journalists an edge over the mainstream media because, they are, well, black.

The panel and audience came to two conclusions during the question-and-answer discussion: Black journalists have an obligation to support black press. In lieu of the business aspect, it showcases quality work from a black person’s point of view.

Even though the journalism industry looks bleak, the black press is already accustomed to dealing with issues that could spell death for a news outlet.

Also, a couple questions to ponder:

Does the black press recruit enough journalists of color?

Can working for the black press spell career suicide for black journalists?

In the end, attendees expanded their horizons and gave a career in black media a much needed closer look.

Gerrick D. Kennedy                                                                                                                                    nabjconvention.org

It was one of the more controversial topics that I’ve encountered here at the convention: “Are Black People Really That Homophobic?”
 
The issue of being both black and gay always seems to be one that is a hot-button topic, and this session on Thursday was no different.

 If you recall the headlines that popped up after Yes on 8, the California-based proposition to constitutionally ban gay marriage passed – “blacks were to blame.” Numerous newspapers even wrote how if black Californians had stayed home as they normally would, opposition to gay marriage would have been banned.

I fully expected the room to be, well, empty. This is something blacks just don’t talk about in public. It is certainly being talked about behind closed doors. Thursday’s panel provided an open forum to discuss the issue publicly – something that surprised and impressed me.
 
This was a panel that was much needed.

 As we focus more on the shift in the media industry and the doom and gloom of downsizing and layoffs, it is easy to forget that we still have progress to make.

Overhead in the convention center hallway: “I told them I am NOT an anchor. I’m a print reporter.”