The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) is an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), a nonprofit organization focused on establishing strong ties among African-Americans working in the media and expanding and balancing the media's coverage of the African-American community and experience.
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September 30, 2010

Journalists Bowled for Great Cause

CAABJ hosted Bowling With the Journalists on September 10 to raise money for its annual college scholarship. Several CAABJ members, area journalists, friends, and family came out to AMF University Lanes to try their best to bowl a perfect game (not!) and support this great cause. It was a fun night of friendly competition and networking.


Below is a slideshow, with photos by Jon Strayhorn/Media Arts Collective.

September 20, 2010

WUABJ to Host First Event

The Winthrop University Association of Black Journalists (WUABJ) has kicked off its first school year as an official NABJ student chapter, and is presenting its first public event this Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m.

WUABJ is hosting a panel discussion focusing on the different ways minority issues are represented in the media; whether issues such as poverty, crime, and unemployment in minority communities are downplayed, exaggerated, or appropriately covered.


The students are requesting that CAABJ members and other journalists in the area come out to support them in this event. The panel discussion will be held inside Johnson Hall (Room 101), on Winthrop's campus, 1920 Alumni Drive, Rock Hill, S.C.

If you have any questions, contact Jasmine Rutledge, WUABJ member and event coordinator, at rutledgej3@winthrop.edu.

CAABJ Member Shares His 'ViewPoint'

CAABJ member and immediate past president Jarvis Holliday is featured in the September 2010 issue of Charlotte ViewPoint, a web-based magazine that has built a reputation for its thought-provoking articles and columns. In the Q&A, Holliday is asked about his experiences as a freelance writer as well as what obstacles he feels African-American journalists face today. Click here to read the interview.

September 14, 2010

CAABJ College Scholarship Deadline November 17

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) will award their annual college scholarship to a student attending a Charlotte-area college or university, who is pursuing a career in journalism or mass communications. The $1,000 scholarship is designed to assist a student in his/her desire to achieve success in the journalism field.


Applications must be postmarked by November 17, 2010. A pdf of the scholarship application can be downloaded by clicking here. For questions or concerns, please e-mail CAABJ at info@caabj.com or call president Dedrick Russell at 803-431-6240.

September 2, 2010

Charlotte Observer to Hold Hyper-local Publishing and Blogging Seminar Next Month

The Charlotte Observer is holding a "Hyper-local Publishing and Blogging 101" seminar October 9. Sponsored by the newspaper with support from a grant coordinated by J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism, the seminar will focus on the future of journalism and how mainstream newspapers can work with citizen-based websites and blogs.

Experts from local websites and blogs, and the Observer, will give tips and answer questions. The seminar will show you how to identify your audience, streamline your writing and boost your traffic.


The seminar is open to any resident of the Charlotte area, but it will focus on information for people who blog about public life or news--neighborhood news, specialty topics such as food or politics, or local style and fashion. Important to note: The seminar's speakers won't be covering information on using blogs to promote a particular business.

Hyper-local Publishing and Blogging 101
*Saturday, October 9, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*The Charlotte Observer, 600 S. Tryon St.
*Parking is free and participants will be e-mailed details.
*Cost is $10, includes coffee, lunch, and all fees.

For more details and to register, go to hyperlocalcharlotte.wordpress.com (capacity is limited). You may also call 704-358-5077 if you have any questions.

August 31, 2010

Submit Story Ideas for Next Edition of 'NABJ Journal'

Copies of the Summer 2010 edition of NABJ Journal, which were first distibuted at last month's NABJ Convention, are now available for download online at www.nabj.org in the Members Only section.


In addition to profiling Journalist of the Year Soledad O'Brien, the magazine features stories on Community Service Award winner Michelle Singletary, Legacy Award winner and Founder Paul Delaney, Emerging Journalist Michael Feeney, and the chapters of the year--Philadelphia and Tampa--which shared the honor. And there are great stories about winners from Howard University and FAMU.

The next issue is planned for late fall. For more information and to submit story ideas, send an email to nabjjournal@gmail.com.

Charlotte Grows as Television Market

Charlotte moved up a notch to No. 23 in size among the nation's 210 television markets, according to the annual ranking by Nielsen.

With an estimated 1,166,180 households with television in its 22-county region, which stretches from the Virginia line to Chester, S.C., Charlotte's market area grew 1.6 percent to pass Pittsburgh, now No. 24.

Charlotte, with explosive population growth through much of the decade, was ranked No. 28 in 2000.

The Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville market grew even more. It grew 2.1 percent and moved up one spot to No. 25, with 1,131,310 TV households, passing Indianapolis. Among major TV markets, Raleigh was sixth in growth while Charlotte was tenth.

No. 16 Miami-Fort Lauderdale was the nation's fastest-growing TV market, up 2.8 percent.

Elsewhere in the Carolinas, Greensboro-Winston-Salem fell one spot to No. 47; Columbia moved up one to No. 78; Charleston fell one to No. 98; and Greenville, N.C.-New Bern moved up two spots, to No. 101.

Market size is of key interest to advertisers, who often place campaigns in local media based on the aggregation of TV households.

--By Mark Washburn, The Charlotte Observer

July 28, 2010

Study of African Americans in News Coverage

As a group, African Americans attracted relatively little attention in the U.S. mainstream news media during the first year of Barack Obama’s presidency -- and what coverage there was tended to focus more on specific episodes than on examining how broader issues and trends affected the lives of blacks generally, according to a year-long study by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism and its Social and Demographic Trends Project.

These findings come from an examination of more than 67,000 national news stories that appeared between February 16, 2009 and February 15, 2010 in different mainstream media outlets, including newspapers, cable and network television, radio, and news websites.

Just 643 of those stories, 1.9% of the total newshole examined by the study, related in a significant way to African Americans in the U.S. (To be considered a “significant” part of a given story, 25% of the content of that story must be about a demographic group and its race/ethnicity).


The press coverage that did emerge tended to be a reaction to events involving black newsmakers rather than to issues relating to African Americans more generally. The arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, the Obama presidency, the death of Michael Jackson and the attempted Northwest Airlines terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab accounted for nearly half (46.4%) of all coverage that had a substantial mention of African Americans during this time period.

Click here to read more on the study.

July 21, 2010

CAABJ Members Learn to Work Their Network

Last week, CAABJ brought in a guest speaker for its July meeting, held at Loco Lime/Common House. Shelley Young, brand education consultant at Wells Fargo, presented a mini-workshop on "The Art of Networking" to a group of about twenty people made up of CAABJ members and a few other journalists the organization hopes will soon become members.


Young shared valuable tips on how to both work your network and expand your network. She stressed the importance of building relationships and that you should make a list of the people and/or companies you'd like to connect with, as well as plan on how you will accomplish that. "Think of networking as a noun, something that is. Not just a verb, as in only something you do," she said.

See a few photos from the meeting in the slideshow below.

June 8, 2010

'New U' Project Grant for Journalists of Color

UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. has received a $100,000 grant from The Ford Foundation to implement New U: News Entrepreneurs Working through UNITY, and they want YOU to apply for this exciting new program. The New U project is intended to increase the number of innovative thinkers and product developers who are of color, providing them with a forum in which to develop and express innovative ideas.

It will support the creative ideas of participating journalists of color through a series of two-day "boot camps" at each of the four summer 2010 UNITY alliance partners’ conventions. In addition to offering training and one-on-one mentoring, the program will include a competition for start-up funding to assist news entrepreneurs to realize their ideas.


Four participants will be chosen from a competitive applicant pool in advance of each UNITY alliance partner convention, and notified of their acceptance. Participants' travel expenses will be covered through the grant, as well as the cost of the program.

Application periods for the partner conferences varies--the application deadline for NABJ is July 2. The New U boot camps will take place at the following conventions:

National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
28th Annual NAHJ Multimedia Convention and Career Expo
June 23-26, 2010
Denver, Colorado

Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
26th Anniversary NAJA Conference
July 21-24, 2010
St. Paul, Minnesota

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
NABJ 35th Anniversary Convention & Career Fair
July 28-August 1, 2010
San Diego, California

Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
21st Annual AAJA National Convention
August 4-7, 2010
Los Angeles, California

For more information on the New U program, including the application, visit www.unityjournalists.org/NewU/index.php.

June 2, 2010

Type/Face: A Live Magazine -- June 10

Charlotte ViewPoint and Charlotte magazine are teaming up to present Type/Face: A Live Magazine, June 10, 7 p.m. at Visulite Theater. The event will showcase our region’s leading writers and artists as they explore experimental theater, architecture, fashion, pro wrestling, poetry, food, Marvel comics, and more. Fast-paced, loose and provocative, Type/Face is a literary, journalistic and artistic happening.



Mix, mingle, and enjoy a night of 3-D essays, features, opinions, photography, video, and interviews on a variety of topics. Tickets are $7 in advance (includes entry in a raffle) and $10 at the door. After-party to follow. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.

April 9, 2010

NABJ Scholarships Deadline April 16

Each year, the National Association of Black Journalists awards more than $60,000 in scholarships to deserving students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. Scholarships are worth up to $25,000 and are open to any student currently attending or entering an accredited four-year college/university in the U.S. or those who are candidates for graduate school. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 16.

Click here for more details.

April 1, 2010

CAABJ to Hold 'March to the Mailbox' April 10

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists is supporting the U.S. Census Bureau and the Urban League of Central Carolinas by volunteering in a "hard-to-count" Census tract on March to the Mailbox Day, which is recognized nationwide on April 10.


CAABJ has signed up to work in Charlotte Census Tract 23, which is the Billingsley Road/Grier Heights area. Several CAABJ members will be manning a booth on Saturday, April 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Bojangles', 3129 Monroe Road. CAABJ chose this as a high-traffic area to distribute information and materials that will remind residents of this community to return their Census form to ensure that their neighborhood is properly counted. This will allow them to receive their fair share of federal funds for roads, schools, parks, community centers, and other services.


The U.S. Census Bureau has provided CAABJ, as well as several other organizations that signed up to volunteer a couple of weeks ago at a meeting at the Urban League, with dozens of Census promotional items such as T-shirts, hats, flyers, and lawn signs to distribute. CAABJ is happy to do its part to support this great community outreach effort.

March 31, 2010

'GoodWorks with Rahman Khan' Season Three Premieres April 4

Season three of GoodWorks with Rahman Khan premieres on Charlotte’s PBS affiliate WTVI, Sunday, April 4 at 12 p.m. Viewers can expect the show to once again live up to its motto of being "All Good, All the Time." GoodWorks with Rahman Khan focuses on bringing the good in all of us to the forefront, which is something that’s not always celebrated in our community or in the media.

First up on the long list of notable names appearing this season, world renowned author and scholar Dr. Cornel West sits down with the show’s host Rahman Khan. In a candid conversation, the man known for many titles including civil rights activist, philosopher, critic, and professor opens up about his journey that started from very humble beginnings. West’s insights on everything from politics to life are thought provoking.

Good works and hip-hop aren’t usually talked about in the same breath. However, one woman is using her knowledge and love for hip-hop culture to make a positive difference in the life of a child. Khan introduces viewers to Chanell Ketchmore, the founder of Ketchmore Kids. Her organization is breaking down barriers and the negative stereotypes associated with youth and rap music.

See the YouTube video below for a sneak peek at the season debut. For more information go to www.goodworkstv.net.

March 24, 2010

Michael Baisden Brings Mentors Campaign to Charlotte April 10

Nationally acclaimed radio personality Michael Baisden has created a campaign to encourage one million Americans to sign up as mentors for children in need through a national outreach effort. The One Million Mentors Campaign to Save Our Kids launched in February and is embarking on a road tour to visit 72 cities in a campaign-themed bus.


At each tour stop along the way, Baisden will host mentoring forums in partnership with local mentoring organizations and affiliates of Big Brothers Big Sisters, National CARES Mentoring Movement, and 100 Black Men.

With more than 14 million young people in need of a mentor, according to Mentoring.org, the tour will visit a total of 72 markets including New Orleans, Nashville, Miami, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Saint Louis, Chicago and Washington, DC. It will also visit four North Carolina cities: Fayetteville (April 7), Greenville (April 8), Raleigh (April 9), and Charlotte (April 10).

At each event, participants will have the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts as local mentors share their personal success stories of working with children in their community. Representatives from local mentoring programs will be available to register qualified adults for training and ultimately match them with area children on waiting lists for mentors.

In addition to driving registration for new mentors, Baisden will also be raising funding for mentoring programs across the tour markets by matching contributions from participants up to $350,000. The Michael Baisden Foundation, which is dedicated to providing educational support in communities, will then direct the funds toward local mentoring programs.

For more information, visit www.onemillionmentors.com or text “mentors” to 90101.

March 16, 2010

'Pride' for Powerful Black Women

In its March/April issue, Pride Magazine spotlights 51 powerful black women in the Charlotte area, including some local black journalists. See this video below of Pride's publisher Torrey Feimster talking about the issue on Charlotte Today.

March 12, 2010

Urban League Seeks Organizations to Help with 'Hard to Count' Census Zones

The Urban League of Central Carolinas is holding an Adopt the Zone – March to the Mailbox dinner and training on Thursday, March 18. And it is looking for organizations to commit to serving a "hard to count" census zone and making sure the voice of our community is heard.


The dinner is a working meeting in partnership with the 2010 Census in preparation for March to the Mailbox Day held on April 10. Each organization should be prepared to adopt a zone and receive outreach training. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30 p.m.

There are billions of dollars at stake for our communities, please help ensure we are represented in the 2010 Census.

Details:
Thursday, March 18
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Urban League of Central Carolinas
740 W. Fifth St., Charlotte
Please RSVP by noon on Tuesday, March 16 to info@urbanleaguecc.org or leave your name and email address at 704-373-2256 ext. 206.

February 19, 2010

N.C. A&T's Black Journalists Chapter to Hold Panel Discussion Featuring Ed Gordon

The National Association of Black Journalists at North Carolina A&T State University is holding a panel discussion titled "African-Americans and the Changing Media Landscape." Scheduled for February 24, 6-7:30 p.m., the event will focus on the African-American journalist and the coverage of African-Americans in the media under the context of the 21st century. It will feature an esteemed panel, led by veteran journalist Ed Gordon.


Panelists:
-Ed Gordon, 60 Minutes Correspondent/BET Nightly News
-Linda Williams, Managing Editor of the News & Observer
-Allen Johnson, Opinions Editor of the News & Record
-Sheeka Strickland, Fox 8 Field Reporter
-Dexter Mullins, Editor-in-Chief of The A&T Register

The discussion will be moderated by Malcolm Eustache, NABJ Region III Student Representative and NABJ Student Chapter President at N.C. A&T.

Venue: General Classroom Building, N.C. A&T, 1601 E. Market St., Greensboro.

For more info, contact Eustache at 704-277-1351 or malcolmeustache@gmail.com.

February 15, 2010

NABJ Awards Deadline this Friday

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is looking to place the spotlight of professionalism on excellence in reporting. The NABJ Awards call for entries deadline is Friday, February 19. Click here to submit your nominations.


Salute to Excellence National Media Awards
NABJ recognizes journalism that best covered the black experience or addressed issues affecting the worldwide black community during 2009. The Salute to Excellence National Media Awards competition is open to all media organizations and individuals involved in print, broadcast and/or online journalism media. Submissions must cover people or issues of the African/African American Diaspora. Entries will be judged on content, creativity, innovation, use of the medium, and relevance to the black community in 59 categories. Finalists are notified in advance, and winners are announced at the Salute to Excellence Gala, taking place during the NABJ Annual Convention and Career Fair in San Diego, CA.

Special Honors Awards
NABJ's most coveted awards honor the groundbreaking accomplishments of black journalists and those who support blacks in the media. These awards include Lifetime Achievement, Journalist of the Year, and Best Practices. From those who blazed the trail to the ones who fight to make sure our stories are heard, even in the face of adversity, NABJ bestows 12 special honors on journalism organizations, professionals, educators, and students committed to exemplary coverage of the black community.

NABJ Hall of Fame Inductions
Every year, NABJ pays homage to legendary black journalists who have made outstanding contributions to the industry. On April 5, 1990, seven distinguished journalists became charter members of the NABJ Hall of Fame. For 20 years, NABJ has inducted 38 journalists into the esteemed Hall of Fame. Nominations are approved by the NABJ Board of Directors. New inductees are installed annually at the NABJ Hall of Fame Banquet and Inductions, which is scheduled to take place during the NABJ Annual Convention and Career Fair in San Diego, CA.

February 5, 2010

CIAA to Hold Charlotte Press Conference Feb. 9

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is hosting its pre-tournament press conference Tuesday, February 9, 11 a.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center (501 S. College St.). Conference and sponsor representatives will announce new tournament additions, official events, celebrity appearances, and welcome Chowan University as the newest tournament participant. The CIAA Basketball Tournament is being held in Charlotte for the fifth consecutive year, February 23-27.

2009 CIAA Tournament champions Johnson C. Smith University.


Speakers/interview opportunities include:
-Anthony Lindsey, Chair - CIAA LOC
-Leon G. Kerry, Commissioner of the CIAA
-Dr. M. Christopher White, President of Chowan University
-Dennis Helsel, Athletic Director of Chowan University
-Tom Grabowski, CEO USEG - Representing TV One and Ford Motor Co.
-Eric Watson, Vice President - Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Food Lion
-Karen McKenzie, Director - Multi-Cultural Marketing, Lowe’s
-Sherman McCoy, Staff Operations Director - North Carolina Operations, Nationwide Insurance

Interviews and photo ops will begin immediately following the press conference.

For any questions or additional information, contact Derek Ross at 919-358-4035, dross@fwv-us.com, or Shera White at 757-864-0196, swhite@theciaa.com.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded in 1912 and is based in Hampton, Virginia. The CIAA is America’s oldest historically black college and university conference and is made up of 11 HBCUs situated along the Eastern Seaboard. For more information about the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit www.ciaatournament.org. For more information about the CIAA Conference, visit www.theciaa.com.

January 28, 2010

CAABJ Preps for First Meeting of 2010, Seeks Input

Dear Black Journalists and Media Professionals,

I am excited not only that a new decade is upon us, but it’s another year for CAABJ to shine! And one of you will win a free one-year paid CAABJ membership…keep reading.

First, let me thank Jarvis Holliday for leading CAABJ for the past two years. His leadership as president has kept us strong—and his knowledge has helped make the transition of the new board a smooth one.

The new board has already met and is pumped up about what 2010 holds for CAABJ. I look forward to seeing each of you at our first meeting of the year. It happens Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m. (sharp) at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille (911 E. Morehead Street). RSVP to rsvp@caabj.com if you plan to attend.

Please bring someone with you in journalism or the communications field or anyone who wants to know what CAABJ is all about. Come with your ideas on how we can make CAABJ more effective. I want our local chapter to better serve you. Remember, this is your chapter.

This meeting will be a time of fellowship, networking, and brainstorming. We have included a link below to a survey, seeking your input on what you would like to see from CAABJ. It only takes about five minutes to complete and participation is greatly appreciated.

Now, to the free membership. We will have a random drawing at the meeting and the person selected will receive free CAABJ membership for one year (new membership or renewal). The only catch is you have to be present to win!

Finally, I believe with all the gifts and talents CAABJ members (and potential members) possess, there’s nothing that can stop us but us.

See you at the meeting.

Dedrick Russell
CAABJ President


Click here for the CAABJ Survey
Or copy and paste this link into your web browser: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KVLLN76

January 26, 2010

Upcoming Workshops for Writers

Two writers representing Main Street Rag Publishing of Charlotte will hold a joint workshop and discussion on getting work published. Following the workshop, both writers--Anne Clinard Barnhill and Maureen Sherbondy--will read from their most recent books and hold a book signing. This workshop is scheduled for January 30, 1 p.m. at Literary Bookpost, located at 110 S. Main St., downtown Salisbury. For more information, call 704-630-9788 or visit www.literarybookpost.com.


The Writers' Workshop, a nonprofit literary center, is offering one-day classes that meet at the Levine Museum of the New South. The next two scheduled workshops are: February 6, Creative Nonfiction Workshop with Jeremy B. Jones; and February 20, Publishing Your Poetry with Richard Krawiec. Registration is in advance only. Financial aid in exchange for volunteering is available. For more information and to register, visit www.twwoa.org/chrwkshps.html or call 828-254-8111. Each workshop is scheduled from 12-5 p.m. and the cost is $75.

January 11, 2010

CAABJ Member Receives Grant for News Website

Qcitymetro.com, a website offering news and information specific to Charlotte’s African American community, has joined an online partnership with The Charlotte Observer and four other local websites. The project is funded with a grant from J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism, which promotes the use of digital technologies for delivering news and information. The Observer and its five partners will share content and explore ways to cover stories together.


Qcitymetro is led by CAABJ member Glenn H. Burkins, who serves as editor and publisher since launching the site in December 2008. Click here to read more about the grant and partnership.

Partnership Formed to Train Underrepresented Journalists

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and The Poynter Institute have announced a partnership designed to provide professional development to journalists and media leaders from underrepresented demographic groups in an effort to increase their effectiveness and presence in newsrooms. The partnership calls for Knight to provide a grant of $50,000 to Poynter and individual grants of $20,000 to each of six journalism organizations to help fund scholarships to Poynter programs for more than 100 journalists.

"I see this grant as a stimulus to keep good journalists in the news business," said Karen Dunlap, president of The Poynter Insitute. "To survive and thrive, these journalists and media leaders need continued grounding in journalistic craft and values and new multimedia and entrepreneurial skills. This funding compliments Poynter's ongoing scholarship campaign and its intent to provide access to training for as wide a range of journalists and media leaders as possible."

Dunlap noted that the current downsizing of America's newsrooms has been particularly hard on journalists from underrepresented demographic groups -- the same people that news organizations had been slow to hire and promote when economic times were much better.

The grants are intended to provide the journalists who are selected for the program -- they will be known as Knight-Poynter Fellows -- with training in one of Poynter's broad range of training venues, including News University; Poynter Online; Webinars; online chats; on-site seminars and regional workshops.

Click here to read more.

'State of NABJ' Teleconference Town Hall

Please join NABJ President Kathy Times and Treasurer Gregory Lee for an NABJ Town Hall Teleconference Meeting to discuss the "State of NABJ." This teleconference is scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 11 a.m.-noon (Eastern time), and is for National Association of Black Journalists members only. Use of a computer is required to participate in the visual component of this teleconference and to submit questions. Members may also dial-in to participate in listen-only mode. Questions may be submitted in advance at nabjtownhall@gmail.com. To register, click here.
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