Illinois chapter of National Association of Black Journalists promotes unity among Black Media students
At its first event of the 2024-25 school year, the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists hosted “Black on Black Commentary,” where students discussed popular topics involving the Black community in the media, such as election coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris and the failure of cosmetic brands to include Black customers.
It’s an event NABJ, a registered student organization, has held in the past and one that inspires back-and-forth conversations around current events.
“We talk about different topics on social media that kind of go viral and we discuss the implications that they have on the African American community,” said Faith Lee, president of the NABJ Illinois chapter and senior in journalism.
The event, which is one of many the NABJ holds on campus throughout the year, is designed to help meet the mission of the local chapter—to promote unity among Black Media students across the University of Illinois.
“Sometimes it can be hard to meet people in your classes that look like you and that feeling can definitely be isolating,” Lee said. “I know I’ve felt it before, just being in class and on campus, sometimes just in general, being the only person of color.”
That’s why Lee says organizations like NABJ are so important. They not only bring Black students together, but also help to provide professional development and networking opportunities.
“I've learned that while it's important to network upwards, it's also important to network across with your peers because they're going to be the ones who are sitting in those rooms with you in the future,” Lee said. “You never know where we all might end up, so it's important to make connections now so that in the future we can have each other in mind for jobs.”
Recently, the Illinois chapter hosted Leona Towner, author of 23 and on TV, who spoke about the day-to-day life of a multimedia journalist. She shared vital information on overcoming barriers, standing out in the industry, and the importance of telling compelling yet authentic stories.
They also held a media mixer where all College of Media students were invited to get together and play games, such as a creative advertising competition, Uno, Jenga, and speed networking.
Lee said the events are specifically designed for students, intended to provide an environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves, sharing their passions, and learning from each other.
“We hope to be there to give advice on something as small as what class to take, to recommending internships to each other, to just being that community that I feel like we need,” she said.
The National Association of Black Journalists was founded nearly 50 years ago to advocate for Black journalists and media professionals in the U.S. and worldwide. Leon Dash, Pulitzer Prize winner and Swanlund Chair Professor of Journalism at the College of Media, was one of 44 Black journalists who founded the organization in 1975.
Today, NABJ’s national membership is more than 4,000 strong and includes emerging journalists, professional journalists, student journalists, journalism educators, and media professionals of all kinds.
For Lee, who is a Mark L. Brandt Public Engagement Fellow with the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media, business manager of the Illio yearbook, a College of Media communications intern, and educational chair of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc., serving as president of the Illinois chapter of the NABJ has provided her an opportunity to cultivate her leadership style.
“One of my personal goals this year was not just to be president for the sake of being president, but also to help those who are coming up behind me to find their footing in the College of Media and be successful, and not feel alone, and find that community that they might be seeking out,” Lee said.
For more information about the Illinois chapter of NABJ or upcoming events, email uofinabj@gmail.com or check out their Instagram account, @nabjuofi.
—Kelly Youngblood
