Bowling with the Journalists

Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) Presents

Bowling with the Journalists

A Scholarship Fundraising Event

Friday, May 13th

7:30-10 p.m.

Enjoy a meet-and-greet with appetizers, and then bowl all you want for two hours in our reserved lanes. Invite your friends and colleagues to aid us in this great cause. Cost is $20, and that includes shoes. AMF University Lanes, 5900 N. Tryon St.

Advance ticket sales for this event have closed. You can still purchase admission at the door. Any questions, email us at info@caabj.com.

America’s Newsrooms Fail to Match U.S. Diversity

The following news was released today from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

The latest survey of journalists of color in newspaper and online newsrooms was released underscoring a widening diversity gap in terms of reflecting America, said officials of the National Association of Black Journalists.

The results of ASNE’s annual diversity survey show journalists of color – and especially African American staffers - in newspaper and online newsrooms declined for the third year in a row, from 5,500 to 5,300, though overall, according to the survey of full-time journalists conducted since 1978.

Especially hard hit are black journalists. ASNE noted that “there were 929 fewer black journalists in the 2010 survey than were recorded in 2001,” a drop off of 31.5 percent.

“Study after study shows diversity has taken a hit and now it is just being completely abandoned by news organizations in some of the most diverse cities in this country,” said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. “Diversity is being ignored.”

The percentage of minorities in newsrooms totaled 12.79 percent, a decline of .47 percentage points from a year ago. Asian Americans dropped from 3.27 percent in 2010 to 3.10 in 2011; African Americans from 4.88 percent in 2010 to 4.68 in 2011; Hispanics from 4.63 percent in 2010 to 4.54 in 2011, and Native Americans constant at .48 percent.

The census showed 441 newspapers had no minorities on their full-time staff. This number has been growing since 2006.

Sweet Deal: Join CAABJ by Valentine's Day and Save

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists already offers some of the most affordable membership rates of any professional organization around. And with a new, special promotion, CAABJ is sweetening the deal. Between now and Valentine's Day (February 14, 2011), you will save $10 off a one-year membership. This offer is for new memberships as well as renewals.

With this special offer, you can become a Full Member for only $40, an Associate Member for $25, or a Student Member for $10. Your membership will be good for 12 months from the time it is processed, and entitles you to all of the benefits and opportunities of being a member of CAABJ. Joining is quick and easy. Just click here to pay your membership online through our secure Paypal page.

By becoming a member of CAABJ, you’ll be investing in your career, industry, and community. CAABJ holds meetings, workshops, and social and networking events throughout the year. The organization also utilizes its resources to help connect members with professional development, jobs, freelance opportunities, internships, and it awards a scholarship annually.

For more details on membership, go to www.caabj.com/p/joinrenew-caabj-membership.html. If you have any questions, email info@caabj.com.

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.

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.