NABJ Convention

The 2010 convention and career fair of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, California. The event that opened on July 28 and ended August 1, 2010 attracted journalists from different media outlet mainly in the United States.

The organizers of the event did promise that attendees would have a lot to gain personally and professionally. And the president of NABJ chapter in San Diego, Jerry McCormick was quoted by NABJ Journal as saying, "This year's convention will be money well spent." Jerry went further to said that, "Not only do the participants get to spend a few days in paradise, they'll get some of the best training by some of the best people in the business." It was indeed a paradise, and Jerry was right when he said attendees would get the best training.

During the five-day programme, participants were able to mingle with prominent people in the media world, who took them through a professional adventure. Journalists' skills were sharpened, expanding their market in a new digital world. Attendees were also updated on new opportunities that exist around the world for media practitioners. Project proposal writing was one of the areas that were dealt with. And this was aimed at helping to equip participants with the required skills to write proposals that can attract funding. Funding was one of the things that were raised during that session. Many journalists admitted that it is very difficulty to get funds for certain projects.

The issue of job security among media fraternity was also discussed. Last year's financial meltdown that hit across the world had left many journalists in the United States, particularly African-American to be shown the exit doors in their various newsrooms. According to a case study by American Society of News Editor (ASNE) in early April, newsrooms cut black journalists and at a higher rate than in 2009. The released further stated that newsrooms jobs held by black journalists were slashed by unprecedented 19.2 percent in 2009.

Despite numerous layoffs that affect journalists of color in various media outlets in the United States, the efforts of NBC News was recognized by NABJ officials. And as a result, the channel received the NABJ's annual Best Practices Award, while NBC Universal Executive Vice President Paula Madison received its Legacy Award at the Salute to Excellence Awards Gala held at the Navy city of San Diego on July 31, 2010.

Many distinguished personalities were also awarded during the event for their efforts towards the media fraternity and humanity as a whole.

Over 80 exhibitors stormed the Grand Hyatt with their products. These were not limited to media materials only. The U.S. military was also on the ground to enlighten conference attendees about the benefits that exist within the army. Medical officials were also busy encouraging the conference goers to take voluntary HIV testing, and a lot more.

Few journalists from outside the United States attended the event, even though the NABJ president Kathy Times failed to recognize their presence publicly during the conference. These six journalists namely from Nigeria and The Gambia in West Africa were awarded with Joel Belz International Media Fellowship by the World Journalism Institute to attend the NABJ convention and career fair. Times should learn from officials of the World Journalism Institute that African Journalists too need to be considered for such training opportunities. It seems she wants to forget the statement she made during a visit to Dakar, Senegal, in April, 2010. She said, "The journey to Africa reminded me of the importance of extending our reach and power beyond our shores…"

The event overall was a success. The 2011 NABJ will take place in Philadelphia. And the committee has already stated preparing ahead of the event. If Christ of Nazareth was there in San Diego, he might have asked Jerry McCormick whether it was really Paradise.

Momodou Kanteh

Momodou Kanteh, a journalist from The Gambia, was chosen by the World Journalism Institute to attend the convention as a recipient of the Belz International Media Fellowship. He was one of six journalists from Africa who received a fellowship stipend of $2,500 to attend the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists (July 28 - August 1, San Diego, California) and one from Latin America who attended the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention in 2010.

Kanteh is a reporter with the Daily Observer in Banjul, The Gambia.