The National Association of Black Journalists welcomes you to join us from June 20th – 24th as we gather in New Orleans for the 37th Annual Convention and Career Fair!

We can’t wait to see you in just 9 days… Check out our line-up!

Travel From Louis Armstrong New Orleans
International Airport

Taxicabs:
A cab ride costs $33.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) for one or two persons and $14.00 (per passenger) for three or more passengers. Pick-up is on the lower level, outside the baggage claim area. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. Taxis are required to offer a credit card payment option.

Airport Shuttle:
Shuttle service is available from the airport to the hotels in the CBD for $20.00 (per person, one-way) or $38.00 (per person, round-trip). Three bags per person. Call 1-866-596-2699 or (504) 522-3500 for more details or to make a reservation. Advance reservations are required 48 hours prior to travel for all ADA accessible transfers. Please call in advance of your travel date for the specially-equipped shuttle to be reserved. For group reservations of 50 or more people please dial 1-866-596-2699. Ticket booths are located on the lower level in the baggage claim area. airportshuttleneworleans.com .

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Tuesday, June 19
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
NABJ Town Hall Meeting
Location: Dillard University, Georges Auditorium, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans
Powered by Orleans Place Matters

Hosted by New Orleans Association of Black Journalists

Reforming Education in Post-Katrina Louisiana
One of the legacies of Hurricane Katrina is the nearly total transformation of New Orleans’ beleaguered public education system. Voucher programs are expanding, with the most recent state school reform legislation enabling more students across Louisiana to attend private schools at taxpayer expense. Opponents contend that under this system, there’s an absence of widespread access to special needs education, less accountability for individual institutions and a greater likelihood that children of less-involved parents may fall through the cracks. A panel of experts engages a discussion of the controversial topic with local residents.

Wednesday, June 20

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Chapter Day: Professional Chapter Leadership Development
Chapter Day offers leaders of NABJ’s professional and student chapters to take part in a day of training focused leadership development. Participants will learn about fundraising and effective governing. The session is produced by the NABJ Council of Presidents Task Force.

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Learning Labs
Sessions will allow attendees hands-on access and detailed information on various tools and resources available to media professionals.

Sign up for Learning Labs by clicking here.

This year’s topics include:

Career Transition: Change, Creativity and Resilience
4th Annual NABJ Entrepreneurial Learning Lab: Inspiring Success in a Digital World
ONACamp @ NABJ Learning Labs
Starting Your Own Company: Visual Entrepreneurship
Branding U: The Student Edition
Jumpstart Your PR Transformation
Putting Your Journalism Skills to Work in Hollywood

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Putting Your Journalism Skills to Work in Hollywood
Powered by BET, The Africa Channel
A panel of entertainment experts will provide insights on how to transfer journalism skills into a successful entertainment career. Panelists will share personal stories on the opportunities and challenges that come along with writing and producing content for Hollywood and how that impacts the African-American audience. This session also will examine how African-American buying power influences what is produced for the big and small screens and what ends up on the chopping block.

Presenters:
T.J. Holmes, Host, Don’t Sleep, BET
Lolis Eric Elie, Writer, Treme, HBO
Tim McNeal, Vice President, Talent Development & Diversity, ABC Television Group & Disney
Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Vice President, Diversity & Communications, CBS
Gil L. Robertson, Co-Founder & President, African American Film Critics Association
Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Government Relations, The Nielsen Company

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Welcome Reception & Concert
Powered by BET, The Africa Channel

NABJ welcomes all of its members to the Crescent City with a kickoff reception and concert at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Join us for an elegant evening of New Orleans eats, sounds, networking, and connecting with new colleagues and old friends.

Host:
TJ Holmes, BET

Musical Performance:
Melanie Fiona, R & B Artist
Fiona, Holmes

10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
NABJ After Dark: Amateur Night

Here’s your chance to step up to the mic, share your talent with NABJ and shine. Whether you have a song or a spoken-word piece to offer, bring it on. You will be the opening act for NABJ After Dark and precede headliner Fresh Johnson, on-air host from New Orleans’ Power 102.9.

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Thursday, June 21
6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
Healthy NABJ: Morning Workout
Powered by the United States Marine Corps

ATTENTION! Do you have what it takes to cut it in bootcamp? Start your day out the right way with a morning workout lead by the U.S. Marine Corps. It promises to be a workout to remember!

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony
Powered By HuffPost/ BlackVoices
Hosted by Arthel Neville, FOX News, and Alicia Quarles, E! News

Newsmaker Plenary: Trayvon Martin: A Crime Story in the Digital Age
The death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin launched a 21st century discussion of both race, equity and justice in America, particularly in light of Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law. News reports brought diverse viewpoints to light as social media and technology sparked the public’s interest and helped drive coverage. This session will explore the ongoing social and cultural implications of this case and the role played by the media. The Martin family, journalists, and legal experts as they discuss one the notable stories of the year.

Moderator: Michele Norris, Host, NPR

Panelists:
Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin
Tracy Martin, Father of Trayvon Martin
Jahvaris Martin, Brother of Trayvon Martin
Ben Crump, Parks & Crump Attorneys at Law, Trayvon Martin Family Attorney
Rev. Al Sharpton, MSNBC Commentator, President, National Action Network
Corey Dade, National Correspondent, NPR
Trymaine Lee, Senior Reporter, Huffington Post
Joy-Ann Reid, Managing Editor, TheGrio.com
Daralene Jones, General Assignment Reporter, WFTV – Orlando

9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
NABJ Authors Showcase Bookstore
Powered by News Corporation, HarpersCollins Publishers

The NABJ Authors Showcase & Bookstore showcases the newest books by journalists which are creating the most buzz, and offers aspiring authors expert advice on how to write, publish, market, and sell that manuscript.

Check out our full schedule here.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
GMC Television Network Presents
Powered by GMC TV Network and ASPiRE

GMC Networks, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, invites you to join GMC Networks Executive Paul Butler, and actors Vanessa Williams and Rockmond Dunbar as we present our upcoming slate of heartwarming movies, gospel plays and roof-raising music specials and artists for the 2012/2013 season. Our talent and executives will be on hand to answer questions during this special NABJ program. Plus, be the very first anywhere to get a special sneak peek at Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson’s new television network ASPiRE set to launch in June! NABJ gets it first! Don’t miss it!

1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Newsmaker Plenary: The Health of a Nation: The Affordable Care Act on Trial

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on President Obama’s health care law will have far-reaching implications, from the November general election to, ultimately, access to quality health care for all Americans, especially African Americans. Nearly 5.5 million African Americans are uninsured and the fate of the health care law will have economic and social consequences. Join our panel of health experts and journalists for insightful analysis of this developing news story.

Moderator:
Melissa Harris Perry, Host, MSNBC

Panelists:
Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood
Kathleen Stoll, Deputy Executive Director,

Families USA
Marc Morial, President, National Urban League
Dr. Karen DeSalvo, New Orleans Health Commissioner

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Convention Chairman’s Reception
Powered by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
Join Convention Chairman Rod Hicks and his special guests, singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius and Philadelphia musician Jeff Bradshaw, who have collaborated on a tribute to New Orleans. Help paint Philly’s next larger-than-life mural, dedicated to the hip-hop band The Roots.

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Special Screening: Won’t Back Down

In this powerful story inspired by true events of parenthood, friendship, hope and courage, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis portray determined mothers who will stop at nothing to transform their children’s failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy and a system mired in traditional thinking, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.

Q&A Panel:
Dr. Steve Perry, Founder, Capital Preparatory Magnet School, CNN Education Contributor
Viola Davis, Actress
Rosie Perez, Actress

7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Arts and Entertainment Task Force Reception
Join NABJ’s Arts & Entertainment Task Force as they celebrate our organizations arts and entertainment journalists and award the 2012 A& E Task Force Legacy Award to Kevin Frazier, CBS’ Insider.

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m
NABJ Presents
Powered By Disney Parks
Join NABJ and Disney Parks for an evening of fun and surprises, featuring the musical talents of recording artist Ruben Studdard.

10:15 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
New Orleans Chapter Party
Our host, the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists invites you out to enjoy a night in New Orleans!
Location: Jackson Brewery Bistro Bar, 620 Decatur Street, #1A, New Orleans, La.

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Friday, June 22

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
W.E.B DuBois Lecture- Black, White, Red and Blue: Views from the African American Electorate in the Battleground States

As the presidential campaign kicks into high gear ahead of the summer’s political conventions, we’ll explore the issues which are at the forefront for African-American voters. This panel of journalists and political analysts will assess the groundbreaking results of a new BET News poll of African Americans opinions on the economy, education, health care, and other key issues this election cycle.

Moderator: TJ Holmes, Host, BET

Breaking News Moment:
Allan C. Golston, President of the United States Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Panelists:
Toure, Commentator, MSNBC, Fuse
Andra Gillespie, Professor of Political Science, Emory University
Cornell Belcher, Pollster, Brilliant Corners

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Newsmaker Plenary-Reflections from the C-Suite: A Conversation with the Nation’s Top Media Executives

The number of African-American journalists declined for the fourth consecutive year, according to the latest newsroom census released this past spring by the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) and the Center for Advanced Social Research (CASR). Newsroom diversity is just one priority news leaders must address, as they work to innovative ways to cover news. Join a group of the nation’s top media executives for a wide ranging discussion on the future of America’s newsrooms.

Moderator:
Carole Simpson, Former Anchor, ABC News, Professor and Leader-In-Residence, Emerson College

Panelists:
John Skipper, President, ESPN
Phil Griffin, President, MSNBC
Gracia C. Martore, President & CEO, Gannett
Margaret Low Smith, Sr. Vice President, NPR

6:00 pm – 7:00 p.m.
NBC Upfront- Fall Preview
Powered by NBC
Join NBC as they present their Fall line-up. Invited guests include: Megan Good, Russell Hornsby, Giancarlo Esposito, Tempest Bledsoe, Anthony Anderson, NeNe Leaks, Eamonn Walker.

Moderator: Kelley L. Carter, Freelance, Entertainment Journalist

11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
NABJSports Task Force Annual Scholarship Jam

Powered by Disney Park, Disney Sports, PGA, Turner Sports, Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
Location: House of Blues
225 Decatur Street New Orleans, La.

Come out and enjoy music and dancing for a good cause at this NABJ tradition. Proceeds from the party will benefit NABJ’s Larry Whiteside Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships for aspiring journalists. Proceeds also support general funds for NABJ and the Sports Task Force. This event is hosted by New Orleans’ own Michael Smith and Stan Verrett. DJ Limelight and a New Orleans-based deejay will spin.

Purchase tickets here.

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Saturday, June 23

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
5K Walk/Run
Powered by The Coca-Cola Company

Rise and shine for better health! Join NABJ as we continue our journey to a healthier community at our 7th Annual 5K Walk/Run. Enjoy the company of NABJ members and guests as we make strides to healthier living, all while taking in the invigorating culture and scenery of New Orleans’ neighborhoods.

Register Here.

7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
NABJ Celebrity Golf Tournament
Powered by United Airlines, Disney, Coca Cola, FedEx, Dixon Golf, ESPN The Magazine, Tour Level Incorporated

Location: Lakewood Golf Club
4801 General DeGaulle Drive
New Orleans, La.

Hosted by Stan Verrett of ESPN and Professional Football Player Kordell Stewart

Each year, NABJ members and guests gather at a special location to enjoy camaraderie with one another and a celebrity guest. This year the NABJ Celebrity Golf Tournament will take place in the home of New Orleans’ first PGA tournament and the South’s premier golf destination – Lakewood Golf Club. The venue has hosted the New Orleans Open 26 times, and a recent multi-million dollar renovation has transformed it into a dramatic course with challenging fairways, tees and greens.

Sign up by clicking here.

NABJ DAY Of SERVICE

Powered By BP, The Home Depot Foundation, Rent-A-Center, and The St. Bernard’s Project, United Airlines

11:00 am- 1:00 p.m.
NABJ Reads Block Party
Calling all NABJ Convention attendees – bring a book to the convention!

NABJ is partnering with the New Orleans Public Library to collect books for New Orleans teens. On Saturday, June 23, we will have an outdoor party for high school students across New Orleans. Our event will include a book drive, live entertainment, and interaction with journalists and celebrities who will discuss the importance of reading and writing.

Click here for the list of books to bring to convention.

Click here to make a monetary donation to NABJ Reads.

2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
NABJ Rebuilds
NABJ has partnered with the St. Bernard’s Project for an NABJ home makeover. NABJ has adopted several families in the New Orleans area displaced after Hurricane Katrina, and work has begun on refurbishing their homes. Join us on Saturday, June 23 at the dedication ceremony at one of these homes, as we offer good wishes and welcome our adopted families into their living spaces.

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Visual Task Force Photo Auction
The Visual Task Force is comprised of visual journalists in still photojournalism, design and informational graphics, broadcast photojournalism and visual leadership. Join the group for this annual NABJ tradition as auctioneer Fred Sweets will takes bids for unique prints that will go to the highest bidders and benefit NABJ scholarships.

NABJ Film Festival

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Special Screening: Beasts of the Southern Wild
Powered by News Corporation

In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Special Screening: Soul Man