(PHILADELPHIA, PA) April 10, 2011- After careful consideration and thoughtful deliberation, the National Association of Black Journalists, Inc. (NABJ), a founding organization of UNITY: Journalists of Color Inc., voted today to discontinue its participation in UNITY.

In recent months, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has been involved in discussions with the UNITY partners to address important governance, fiscal, and management matters involving UNITY: Journalists of Color. We recognize that UNITY has evolved since its original purpose and therefore must continue to strive for excellence particularly as it relates to accountability and fiscal austerity. We would like to give you a status report on those conversations.

WASHINGTON, DC (January 14, 2011) – The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is currently accepting Call for Entries for its national media awards. The annual awards will be presented at the 2011 NABJ Convention and Career Fair, the largest gathering of African- American journalists and media professionals. The 36th annual event will be held in Philadelphia, Pa. on August 3-7, 2011.

Join us Thursday, January 27th as the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) joins the national Newseum and its Freedom Forum’s Diversity Institute to celebrate 35 years of working to bring more diverse, fair and editorial independent newsrooms to our nation and the world.

CBS News is establishing the Harold Dow Professorship at the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University, which was the first historically black university to have an accredited journalism program. The professorship is designed to enhance presentation skills for students interested in on-air positions in broadcast television and will begin in the 2011-12 academic year.

NABJ is having a fundraising cruise and we need your help! Please share with your members, family, friends, and other social networks you interact with on a regular basis. We are trying to sell 100 beds–50 cabins. The $200 deposit deadline to secure rooms is 30 days from now! There will be professional development seminars for media– and non-media types who wish to access/navigate the media.

Some say Juan Williams’ comments about Muslims were wrong.Others say the former NPR news analyst’s words offended them, but they shouldn’t have cost him his job.

While offering commentary for Fox News, Williams said of getting on a plane: “If I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous.”

Whether you side with Williams’ right to speak his opinion or National Public Radio’s decision to part ways with the veteran, his firing creates a void at the network.

I can’t thank you enough for making the journey to San Diego for a successful convention. Thank you for the many thumbs up. NABJ’s convention Programming Committee, Board of Directors, staff, and our San Diego chapter put in many hours, emails and phone calls to attract newsmakers and to make sure the convention and special events were a success. Our honorary convention chairwoman, Paula Madison, reeled in provocative stars and big sponsors. Many members delivered special guests and excellent panels.

The National Association of Black Journalists has established 10 convention scholarships for members to attend our 2010 NABJ Convention and Career Fair, July 28 – August 1, 2010 in San Diego, CA.

Scholarships will cover convention registration and three nights of lodging at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

As NABJ President, I am a proud witness to a renewed effort by members to recommit to our organization, especially during these difficult times. Now that NABJ is in its new national headquarters at the University of Maryland, we are preparing to celebrate our 35th anniversary at this year’s NABJ Convention and Career Fair in San Diego, California, July 28 – August 1, 2010.