Hey guys I have recently attended a few events hosted by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalist (CAABJ) the most recent one held at Aloft Uptown. I was pleasantly surprised how many folks follow my work.
I learned about the NABJ (National Association of Black Journalist) Region 3 conference that was being held at Johnson C. Smith University.
You guys know that I am a product of an HBCU (Historically Black College or Univeristy) and I was an Assitant Professor at two other institutions so I am very familiar with the formal nature of the African-American community.
Black folks love to dress up for any occassion whether it be church, conference, birhtday or Piggly Wiggly store opening....lol
NABJ folks did not disappoint. There were more suits and folks dressed sharp as a tack that I swear I thought I was at a job fair or National Baptist Convention...lol
You know how we do.
The day started with a networking breakfast and panel discussion with founding memebers.
The next session was facilitated by Cash Michaels, an editor and chief reporter for "The Carolinian newspaper. Michaels spoke of and shared a video that documented The Wilmington 10 of a group of folks wrongly accused 40 years ago in a fire-bombing of a local grocery store.
The day progressed with further workshops dealing with Having a Plan B and one of my favorites dealing with technology and how journalist and media professionals will survive and thrive in the new digital age.
I really enjoyed that during the workshops they had a live Twitter feed with hashtag #nabjr3conf. It was good to see folks utilitizing technology and social media.
Lunch was a bit delayed but it was a wonderful spread. A big shout out to Dedrick Russell, Region 3 Director and his committee members that really organized an engaging event.
Mayor Foxx stopped by to welcome the NABJ conference participants and give an official proclamation from the mayors office. It is cool that after seeing the mayor at several events that he recognizes me now...lol.
The day was a wonderful opportunity to meet some very cool people...how you doing Davida J....lol.
But the man who shut it down that day was keynote speaker Byron Pitts, National Correspondent, CBS News and Contributing Correspondent, "60 Minutes." Brother Pitts gave such an inspirational speech where he shared his humble beginnings from growing up on the east side of Baltimore where his mom was a single mother and also an amazing support system for him.
I found we had much in common and was truly inspired. I think the brother has a little preacher in him because when he finished to a standing room of applause you almost felt like they should start the organ and choir and pass the plate for the building fund....smile.
The thing I was most impressed with is that NABJ is committed to expanding the definition of journalism and also how we communicate ideas as media professionals in the new digital age.
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