Secrets to Accessing the Media Workshop - June 11

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists presents its Sixth Annual Secrets to Accessing the Media Workshop on Saturday, June 11, 1-3 p.m. at Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. 7th St., in Uptown Charlotte.

At the workshop, CAABJ will connect the community with members of the media—a panel of journalists from newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and Internet—as they offer tips and advice on how to get stories told, explain how news at individual media outlets is produced, and answer questions from the audience. The panelists are:

April Bethea, Reporter, The Charlotte Observer
Glenn Burkins, Editor, Qcitymetro.com
Chris Dyches, Web Producer, WBTV
Eric Frazier, Reporter, The Charlotte Observer
Carlton Hargro, Editor-in-Chief, Creative Loafing
Trey Harmon, Associate Producer, WCNC-TV
Davida Jackson, Associate Producer, News14 Carolinas
BJ Murphy, On-Air Personality, WGIV Radio

The event is free and open to the public. Members of non-profits, HOA’s, community organizations, church and civic groups, etc., are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. Guests are asked to RSVP at rsvp@caabj.com. Free parking is available at Seventh Street Station (bring your ticket into the museum to be validated).

CAABJ thanks Levine Museum of the New South for hosting this workshop. For details on the exhibits and other events taking place at the museum, visit www.museumofthenewsouth.org.

End of Sweeps: After-Work Mixer

CAABJ is celebrating the end of sweeps with a mixer on Thursday, May 26, 7-9 p.m., and invites you to come out and mingle with the brightest journalists and media professionals the Queen City has to offer. There will be free appetizers and great drink specials, and it's taking place amongst the ambience of one of Uptown's newest restaurants, Bluprint Restaurant (227 W. Trade St.). This event is free and open to CAABJ members and non-members. For more on Bluprint, visit www.bluprintrestaurant.com.

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.