Mindful Mixer
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, NABJLA is hosting a Mindful Mixer on Saturday, May 17 from 4:30-7pm in partnership with BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective. Featuring wellness treatments, curated vendors and mindful moments on the mic, we welcome local journalists and communications professionals to relax, relate and release among colleagues and peers. There’ll be a DJ, light bites and beverages — the perfect stage for low-stakes community building. Bring a friend!
NABLA Members: Free*
Non-Members: $5
*Membership verified at the door.
Ride Sharing Highly Recommended. Street Parking Is Available.
Vendors
King Zeek Massage & Wellbeing Practices | Mobile Massages (shea butter for purchase)
Reiki Energy Healing w/ Mystic Bru (essentials & CBD products for purchase)
Coyote Wild XYZ Artisan Perfume Oils (essential oil part of Reiki table)
Pharoah Essentials + VSSL (luxury self-care for men + unisex candles for purchase)
April 2025 | Open Floor: An Interactive Meeting
February 2025 | Journalism Rewired: Next-Gen Perspectives
Join the National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles (NABJLA) on February 25 for an insightful General Body Meeting titled "Journalism Rewired: Next Gen Perspectives." This event will be led by award-winning entertainment reporter Ty Cole and entertainment journalist Alexyz Liggins.
Together, they will share their unique journeys and offer expert insights into navigating the evolving landscape of journalism. Focusing on the challenges and opportunities of representing the new generation in the field, Ty and Alexyz will explore the shifts in storytelling, digital media, and the future of journalism. Don’t miss this chance to engage with these dynamic voices shaping the future of the industry.
Power of the Pivot with Nina Parker
Join us Saturday, November 16 at 11 a.m. PT for Power of the Pivot, a fireside chat with TV host and fashion designer Nina Parker.
Several newsrooms and companies have been impacted by the squeeze happening across the media industry in recent times leaving many of us asking ourselves “so, what now?” With so many layoffs and organizational restructures happening locally and nationwide, we know things are really hard for our members and colleagues here in LA. Many of you are experiencing job loss and if you are still working, you're probably feeling the burn from doing more with less.
With this in mind, we want to provide a space for our members to hear from someone who has found success throughout her career leveraging her range of skills to master the art of pivoting.
We’ve invited Nina Parker to share her career experience that has been filled with similar challenges. During this one-on-one conversation with NABLJA President Shar Jossell, we’ll have a real talk about all of this and more with an opportunity for guests to join the conversation too.
Location: Deutsch LA (12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066)
Time: 11 a.m. PT
Admission: Members - Free | Non-Members - $10 | Students - Free
Registration Required: Everyone who plans to attend must submit a registration form to be put on the list for visitation clearance.
2024 Black Women In Media
Join us Saturday, October 19 at 11 a.m. PT for sixth annual Black Women In Media panel & mixer.
Special guest panelists include award-winning sports and politics journalist Jemele Hill, Los Angeles Times bestselling author of “Read This to Get Smarter” Blair Imani Ali, writer, actor, producer, and author of “Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist” Franchesca Ramsey, and Deutsch’s Vice President of Corporate Communications Camila Crews.
This year’s discussion, moderated by NABJLA President Shar Jossell, focuses on the multifaceted experiences and contributions of Black women in media across the political landscape. With the history-making 2024 presidential election just weeks away, this topic is both timely and critical, as it allows for an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges and perspectives that Black women face in their reporting efforts.
Location: Deutsch LA (12901 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066)
Time: 11 a.m. PT
Admission: Members - Free | Non-Members - $5 | Students - Free
Registration Required: Everyone who plans to attend must submit a registration form to be put on the list for visitation clearance.
NABJLA SCREENS: The American Society of Magical Negroes
EVENT PHOTOS
[Right-Click The Image To Download]
Photo Credit: Robin Marshall (@itsrobinlori)
ABOUT THE FILM
The American Society of Magical Negroes is a fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren, who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
STARRING
• Justice Smith as “Aren”
• David Alan Grier as “Roger”
• An-Li Bogan as “Lizzie”
• Drew Tarver as “Jason”
• Michaela Watkins as “Masterson”
• Rupert Friend as “Mick”
• Nicole Byer as “Dede”
DIRECTED BY
Kobi Libii
WRITTEN BY
Kobi Libii
PRODUCED BY
• Julia Lebedev, p.g.a.
• Eddie Vaisman, p.g.a.
• Angel Lopez, p.g.a.
• Kobi Libii, p.g.a
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY
• Mike Upton
• Oren Moverman
• Leonid Lebedev
GENESIS AND CONCEPT
An alum of both Sundance’s Screenwriters Lab and Directors Labs, THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES represents Kobi Libii’s feature directorial debut. Coming from a background in comedy, Libii says the film started as an idea he assumed would be a short form comedy sketch. “My experience with high concept, comedic ideas like this one is that most of them should be about three minutes long. But when I sat down to flesh it out as a sketch, I discovered that I was writing about something much bigger and far more personal: a very particular defense mechanism that I have been taught as a Black man about how to survive in White America. That defense mechanism has had a number of unintended consequences in my life in terms of my confidence and ability to take up space and my ability to move through the world. ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ is an elaborate metaphor to explore all of that.”
Libii continues, “White people write the Magical Negro trope as a kind of ‘Happy Slave’ archetype that imagines Black people truly enjoy contorting themselves to fit into white systems of power. I’m hijacking the trope to explore some of what it really costs Black people to do so.”
For Libii, humor is a part of how he navigates difficult subject matter. “Some of these issues are so raw, that it was important to me to use comedy to make conversation possible. For white people, it can be really unsettling to acknowledge the ways in which a country they love and identify with can still have such troubling power structures, and for Black people, it can be really painful to acknowledge the ways in which we’ve been coerced to adhere to those structures. At least it is for me. And by and large that’s what the Magical Negroes do: they choose survival over pride. It’s easy to be critical of their choice, but I’d rather be critical of the system that made them choose. And, more importantly, I want to build a monument to every person of color who’s ever had to make that impossible choice and hopefully, through the warmth and playfulness of the piece, let us all move forward.”
As part of that way forward, Libii aspires to create a more inclusive film than ones that use the trope. “One of the failings of the white authors of Magical Negro texts is not thinking through the experience of other marginalized people. And it was a value of mine in constructing this piece to be diametrically opposed to that ethos by including other marginalized groups—like non-Black women of color. Love stories between Black leads are so positive for the Black community, but I believe stories like this one have important work to do as well. Although Black people and other people of color have vastly different experiences and impacts, the power structure that we’re fighting is the same. And the more people who are working to dismantle it, the better. Especially because the success of that project is quite literally a life-or-death fight for Black people in particular.”
Libii also emphasizes that The American Society of Magical Negroes is also a universal story because, at the end of the day, it’s a love story. “The pairing of this particular racial satire with a full-hearted love story is satisfying to me because being seen by someone who loves you is the opposite of being looked at as a stereotype. And while there’s particular urgency for Black people to be seen as whole people, as individuals, all people deserve to be known for the people they really are. I’m contrasting being misunderstood and devalued with being truly regarded and appreciated, eccentricities and all. I find this counterpoint really meaningful.” Libii continues, “In some ways, though, it’s really two love stories: one between the obvious romantic leads, and the other between Aren and himself—coming to value himself more highly.” Another way Libii thinks about the film is that it’s simply about a guy who is not good at speaking up for himself but who learns to speak up for himself. “I think that's something that a lot of people can connect to and be heartened by.”
RATING
PG-13
RELEASE DATE
MARCH 15, 2024
GENRE
COMEDY, FANTASY
Writer/director Kobi Libii (right) on the set of THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGICAL NEGROES, a Focus Features release.
Photo Credit | Anne Marie Fox / Focus Features Copyright | © 2024 Focus Features, LLC.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT
The “Magical Negro” trope is a narrative device in which a Black, supporting character exists solely to serve a white protagonist’s storyline. They don’t have their own inner life but are relentlessly focused on helping white people learn, grow, or become less racist. Some have magical powers, but they all have a superhuman commitment to white, personal growth.
While it’s certainly not the only problematic stock character in movie history, the symbolism of the Magical Negro has always been particularly troubling to me: Black people only have worth inasmuch as we’re making a white protagonist’s life more colorful or meaningful; we don’t have value on our own. There’s a dark reflection of our society's broader values here: Black lives don’t always matter. And while the trope itself is certainly worthy of criticism, the real question I’m interested in is what does living in a society that has those values do to you? What has it done to me?
The premise of the satire is pretty simple: “What if being a Magical Negro was a real job? What if your whole Black existence were consumed by prioritizing white people and white comfort? What if you just got up every morning, and focused on being the version of yourself that fit into a white world and served every white person’s ‘story?’”
Obviously, this is absurd; exaggerated to make the make the film a comedy. Obviously, this is not something we do.
But if I’m honest. Really honest. More honest than I’m comfortable being: I relate to the Magical Negroes’ job description.
Because one thing this society taught me was to assimilate. Teachers encouraged me to code switch. I did. They controlled my grades, my future. My father taught me to be incredibly nice and non-threatening in any interaction with the police. He, having spent formative years in an America where lynchings still occurred, made the urgency of the matter harrowingly clear; don’t worry about your pride, just make the powerful white person comfortable.
Like a good A-student, I over-learned these lessons. And, for years, had internalized a relationship to white people that was too deferential. On some level, I believed this was necessary to stay alive.
As you can imagine, this is not the proudest thing to admit—everyone would rather look in the mirror and see a powerful Black Revolutionary. And I can’t stress enough how much I’m speaking for myself here, not All Black People Everywhere. But if I’m honest, really honest, this was a part of my particular response to racism.
And while this is personally embarrassing, it is also, I believe, a savage indictment of America. That, as a Black person, I did not feel that being myself–uninhibited, fully expressed–gave me the best chance to thrive, or even survive. That I was discouraged, by a sweeping, insidious culture, that makes things like Magical Negro movies over and over again, from prioritizing my own happiness as much as that of the white people around me.
The question here is this: who gets to be the main character? Not just in movies, but in American life more broadly. Who’s comfort and safety are prioritized and whose aren’t? Whose lives are assumed to matter and whose require marches and movements to protect? Is Aren (my film’s Black protagonist) doomed to be the soulful sidekick (peripheral, even expendable) or will it become his story with his wants and feelings central? To put it in movie terms, will he be the one who ‘gets the girl’?
This film is my attempt to process all of this. It’s a fantasy because strict reality can’t possibly reflect the creative, fantastical things Black people have to do to survive in America. It’s a comedy because the shame of this defense mechanism is so radioactive that I have to laugh to make an honest conversation about it bearable. And it’s a love story because, to me, being seen and appreciated by someone you love is the opposite of a society that tells you your life doesn’t matter.
NABJLA Town Hall: Red Carpet Representation
Publicists Ariana Drummond and Wyllissa Bennett join Media Personality and NABJLA Director of Membership Shar Jossell for a candid discussion about the importance of diversity among red carpet interviewers and the steps we can take to address this issue.
Registration is free and required to attend.
Black Women In Media 2022
Join us for our 5th Annual Black Women In Media live panel conversation and brunch mixer.
NABJLA Vice President and Spectrum News 1 Anchor Tanya McRae will moderate the conversation with Instagram Innovation Partnerships Besidone Amoruwa, MTV Entertainment Group VP of Communications Leshelle Sargent, and Netflix’s “Buy My House” Host Nina Parker.
ADMISSION
Admission is free for members and non-members, but we are accepting donations for our annual student scholarship.
LOCATION
AUDACY Sound Space
5670 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
PARKING
Parking is available in the adjoining parking deck for $10. Free parking is available on nearby streets at your own risk.
Black Men In Media 2022
Our first in-person event in two years at the 5th Annual Black Men In Media live panel conversation and brunch mixer. Black Men In Media is a part of NABJ’s nationwide Black Male Media Project, which aims to help change the narrative around the lives and images of Black men in news and society.
NABJLA President and Freelance Journalist jarrett hill moderated the conversation with P-Valley Star John Clarence Stewart, LA Times Executive Editor Kevin Merida, Spectrum News 1 Anchor Melvin Robert, and HOORAE President of Development & Production Montrel McKay.
ADMISSION
Admission is free for members and non-members, but we are accepting donations for our annual student scholarship.
LOCATION
AUDACY Sound Space
5670 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
PARKING
Parking is available in the adjoining parking deck for $10. Free parking is available on nearby streets at your own risk.
COVID POLICY
Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative PCR test (taken up to 48 hours prior to arrival) is required to attend this event. The following are acceptable as proof of full vaccination against COVID-19: CDC Vaccination card, photocopy of a vaccination card or a photograph stored on a phone or electronic device, digital government-issued vaccination pass, such as Healthvana or digital Covid-19 vaccine record, or documentation of full vaccination from a healthcare provider that includes the name of the person vaccinated and confirms that the person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests who cannot show one of the above listed documents will not be admitted to the event.
To be considered fully vaccinated, guests must have received their second dose of Pfizer/Biontech, Moderna, or single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine no later than 15 days prior to the event. Please do not attend the event if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or have a fever, a persistent cough or are experiencing shortness of breath. Do not enter the premises if you have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19.
It's about me : Dealing with the heavy parts of journalism
Navigating heavy subjects and jumping from story to story can become difficult mentally and physically.
Join NABJLA along with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Los Angeles chapter and the Asian American Journalists Association - Los Angeles for an important and timely in-person panel Saturday, June 4 at 12:30 PT on mental health and how journalists deal with the heavy stuff and find ways to grow professionally in a sustainable manner.
There will also be a relaxing and accessible physical activity. Light refreshments will be provided.
Location: La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N Main St Los Angeles, CA 90022
NABJLA Joins Coalition in Condemning Sheriff's Office's Intimidation of Journalists
Journalism is not a crime. Our community of journalism associations, media unions and First Amendment advocates stands in solidarity with Los Angeles Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian and all journalists who are threatened or harassed by law enforcement.
Today, the Los Angeles County Sheriff suggested that Alene is a subject in a criminal investigation into a leaked video showing a deputy kneeling on an inmate’s head. In recent weeks, Alene has reported on claims alleging that the Sheriff obstructed justice and retaliated against whistleblowers who raised concerns about the incident. This escalation comes after a years-long history of the Sheriff harshly criticizing many local journalists just for doing their jobs, including Cerise Castle, Josie Huang, Maya Lau and others.
For over 50 years, the Supreme Court has upheld the First Amendment right to publish information of public concern received by members of the press or public. For the Sheriff to suggest otherwise is an unconscionable attempt to deter the press from exercising its long-established right to report on abuses of power.
We condemn these outrageous attacks on newsgathering, and we remain committed to supporting journalism that reports on the facts without fear or favor.
Media Guild of the West, The NewsGuild-CWA Local 39213
Los Angeles Times Guild
Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists
First Amendment Coalition
Radio Television Digital News Association
Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles
Online News Association Los Angeles
CCNMA Latino Journalists of California
Los Angeles Press Club
National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
National Press Photographers Association
Open Vallejo / Informed California Foundation
We Make KPBS (SAG-AFTRA)
SPJ San Diego
SPJ Northern California
ACLU of Southern California
Susan E. Seager, Adjunct Clinical Professor of Law, Press Freedom clinic at the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The Politics of Black Beauty in Media
To commemorate Women's History Month 2022, NABJLA is hosting a conversation surrounding the politics of Black beauty in media which will examine the ever-changing aspects of hair, makeup, and wardrobe in news environments. Panelists will delve into their personal experiences, challenges, and social expectations in regards to their on-air look and style.
Panelists:
ANGELIQUE JACKSON [moderator] (@angelique814)
ANGELIQUE JACKSON is a senior entertainment writer for Variety, based in Los Angeles. During her tenure with Variety, Jackson won a Southern California Journalism award for her video profile on Victoria Mahoney and a National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award for co-authoring last year’s “The Reckoning Over Representation” cover story with Elaine Low. Prior to joining Variety, she worked as a producer for Entertainment Tonight, winning three Daytime Emmy awards for her work. She is a graduate of Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia with a degree in Broadcast News.
HOLLY J. MITCHELL (@HollyJMitchell)
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell currently serves as Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Before serving on the first all women-led Board of Supervisors in the history of LA County, Mitchell served for a decade in the California Legislature as a representative for the 54th Assembly District and 30th Senate District, both in Los Angeles County. During her tenure she passed over 90 bills – including the landmark anti-hair discrimination law The CROWN Act, making California the first in the nation to pass this law ending hair discrimination. When she isn’t working alongside the over 100,000 people--committed to serving the residents of Los Angeles County, she loves a good cup of tea, watching ocean waves and being mom to Ryan.
RYANN BLACKSHERE VARGAS (@RyannBlackshere)
Ryann Blackshere Vargas is a Multimedia Journalist and storyteller at Spectrum News 1. Previously she's worked at news outlets including NBC Bay Area, KGET, and NBC News. She is also a former White House intern for Mrs. Obama's scheduling and advance office. The SoCal native graduated from Monrovia High School and attended both Stanford University and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Ryann was the first place award winner for the Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism Award for her coverage of child welfare and foster care. Blackshere Vargas finds pride in sharing the stories of people whose voices are rarely heard.
KARICEAN KAREN DICK
After years of successful & prominent hairstyling collaborations, Karicean (also commonly referred to as Karen) began her foray into the fashion and entertainment industries to continue her growth as a styling artist. She has been featured on KTLA. Her CNN portfolio includes work with on-air talent Sara Sidner, Stephanie Elam, Cari Champion, and Jemele Hill. Karicean currently serves as the Beauty and Style Editor for BCF Magazine, and personal stylist to FOX anchor & Good Day LA host, Michaela Pereira. Over the years, Karicean has grown an impressive resume in the beauty, marketing, and entertainment industries. She continues to leave her mark on every project she has taken on, with no plans of slowing down.
Black Women in Media 2021
Our fourth annual “Black Women in Media” conversation features FOX 11 & FOX Soul Anchor Brooke Thomas, Freelance Journalist & Media Personality Demetria Lucas, and Access Hollywood Host and NBC's 'American Ninja Warrior' Reporter Zuri Hall.
NABJLA + LAJC Town Hall: Los Angeles Police Department
LAPD Police Chief Michel Moore joins NABJLA President Jarrett Hill and LA Press Club’s Adam Rose, taking questions from journalists.
Immediately following the Q&A, NABJLA’s Tanya McRae and SPJ/LA’s Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins will host an open session to discuss what we’ve just heard, inviting the journalists in attendance to provide perspective and converse. Registration is free and required to attend.
Join us Monday, September 27th, at 3:30pm PT
3:30 p.m. PT - The New LAJC and Updates on SB98
4:00 p.m. PT Q&A with Chief Michel Moore, LAPD | Moderated by NABJLA’s Jarrett Hill and LA Press Club’s Adam Rose
5:00 p.m. PT Open Session | Moderated by NABJLA’s Tanya McRae and SPJ/LA’s Ashanti-Blaize Hopkins
Members in good standing with LAJC’s representative organizations will be given first priority for attendance and questioning. Membership will be verified.
Update and Statement on the Killing of Board Member Margo Spann
Statement from the Board of Directors of the
National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles
The National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles (NABJLA) stands with the Spann family in demanding accountability for the killing of our friend, colleague, and member, Margo Spann.
Beverly White reports on Margo Spann on NBC4.
Margo was crossing the street while walking her dog when Ruben Granados struck her with his pickup truck. Granados didn’t offer her care, he didn’t stop, and didn’t turn himself in. Margo was hit hard enough that people nearby could hear it happen. And she died while lying in the street. Granados was released on bail shortly after his arrest.
On Monday, June 28th, Granados will appear in court. The Spann family has heard that he may receive probation in a case where he is charged with felony hit and run.
“It’s mind-boggling to think that someone could be eligible for probation for felony hit and run and actually killing someone,” said Rev. Peter Spann, Margo’s brother. “So to learn this information has been troubling, it’s been unsettling.”
“We just want accountability,” Spann continued. “We’re not looking for an eye for an eye, but we believe that real justice cannot be probation.”
Like and with the Spann family, we demand accountability for the killing of Margo Spann.
———————
NABJLA President jarrett hill shared the below letter to the organization’s members and friends:
from: jarrett hill, president of nabjla
subject lines: you may disagree with me, but...
message:
happy thursday to you, i’m sending you joy and peace as you read.
as you may remember, a few months ago we lost one of the members of our board of directors, margo spann. she was killed near home, in an arlington heights crosswalk while walking her dog, the victim of hit and run. a man in a large pickup truck hit her, didn’t offer her care, and continued driving.
after he was arrested, ruben granados was released on bail. today, margo’s family is upset and concerned that the man who hit and killed her is now likely to get probation. (nabjla member beverly white recently did a story on nbc4, talking to the family about their upset over this possibility.)
“it’s mind-boggling to think that someone could be eligible for probation for felony hit and run and actually killing someone,” said rev. peter spann, margo’s brother. “so to learn this information has been troubling, it’s been unsettling.”
“we just want accountability,” spann continued. “we’re not looking for an eye for an eye, but we believe that real justice cannot be probation.”
as an individual, and not on behalf of this organization, i have strong feelings about the overuse of policing and jails –– but that’s another rant for another day. those feelings aside, and with awareness that our district attorney is committed to putting less people in jail, this feels like injustice.
i’m clear that we as an organization of journalists do not typically raise our voices in matters of criminal justice, especially when they don’t pertain specifically to journalism-related issues.
but this feels different.
if part of our mission is to make sure that the stories of black people are told in ways that are equitable and honest, margo deserves that. if we believe that we are, in part, to be a community and support system for black journalists, margo deserves that support from her community. if we believe that black lives matter and black bodies are of value, margo’s life mattered. margo was one of us. if we can’t speak up for a black journalist, killed in the middle of the street in broad daylight, who do we speak up for?
we know the level of compassion and respect for black women is abysmal in this country. we know black women who experience harm are often overlooked by the newsrooms we’ve been a part of. we also know that were margo our mother, sister, or close friend we’d use every avenue at our disposal to advocate for accountability for her death.
i’ve had many conversations with many people on this and how i should handle this, how we should handle this. some will disagree with us chiming in or piping up about this. while i don’t hold your point of view, i understand it, truly. i’ve ruminated on this for a good while and here’s the truth of it: i believe that we as black journalists are black people first and if ever there was a time that we are more empowered to use our voices, 2021 is that time. i’d be disappointed in us as an organization, and in myself as a leader, if this community didn’t stand with margo’s family regarding probation not being accountability in this case.
for those of you who are interested in expressing your displeasure you can visit, call, or email the district attorney’s office.
for those of you who don’t feel comfortable expressing an opinion on the issue but do feel compelled to make more people aware of the story, consider covering it in your outlets, talking about it on social media, use your platform.
ruben granados, the man who hit margo, is due in court on monday, june 28th. the nabjla board of directors has just issued a statement standing with the Spann family in demanding accountability.
If you’re going to raise your voice about this – in whichever way you choose – now would be the time.
in service,
jarrett hill, nabjla president
NABJ's How They See Us: A Global Perspective On Black Men
Black Men in Media 2021
We're excited for our fourth annual “Black Men in Media” conversation featuring KTLA Executive Producer Marcus Smith, LA Times staff writer Donovan X. Ramsey, and Spectrum News 1 anchor Kelvin Washington. Freelance journalist and NABJLA President Jarrett Hill will moderate the discussion on the experience of Black men in media.
Join us Saturday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. PT as part of NABJ’s nationwide Black Male Media Project, which aims to help change the narrative around the lives and images of Black men in the news and in society.
Registration is free and open to members and non-members.
Find out more about participants below.
Participants
Jarrett Hill
Jarrett Hill - Freelance Journalist - NABLA President
Jarrett Hill is an award-winning journalist, speaker, media trainer, and host contributing to The New York Times, Variety, NBC News, CNN International, and Channel Q, among others. He is president of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Los Angeles chapter (NABJLA). Jarrett also co-hosts FANTI, a Maximum Fun podcast chosen as one of Apple Podcasts’ “Best of 2020.”
Kelvin Washington
Kelvin Washington - Anchor/Host - Spectrum News 1
Kelvin Washington is a host and anchor on Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles. He covers everything that is important to the people of So Cal. He is also a contributor on the Spectrum News 1 show “LA Times Today” and is one of the hosts of the Pre and Post game shows for the Dodgers on Sportsnet LA. You can also hear him nationally on Fox Sports Radio.
Before joining Spectrum News 1, Kelvin hosted the primetime competition show “Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge” on NBC. His work illustrates his passion for telling stories in the hopes of uplifting others. Kelvin enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young daughters. He also is a volunteer and mentor with the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles
Marcus Smith
Marcus Smith - Executive Producer - KTLA 5
Marcus Smith is an Emmy Award-winning senior producer for KTLA 5 News. He produces the KTLA 5 News at 10 and the KTLA 5 News at 11.
Smith, a Milwaukee native by way of Chicago, began his love for journalism at 12-years-old as an intern for a TV station in his hometown of Milwaukee. He was also a correspondent for the hit, Emmy award-winning youth news magazine "Making the Grade." Smith has worked in various markets including Fort Myers, Miami and now Los Angeles.
Donovan X. Ramsey
Donovan X. Ramsey - Staff Writer - LA Times
Donovan X. Ramsey covers Black life in Los Angeles as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times. Before joining The Times, he was a contributing writer for such publications as GQ, Vice, WSJ Magazine and the Atlantic, where he wrote memorable profiles of such figures as Bubba Wallace, Killer Mike and Ibram X. Kendi.
Ramsey also served as commentary editor of the Marshall Project and deputy editor of Complex.com. The Columbus, Ohio native is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. He is currently completing his first book, a history of the crack epidemic for One World, an imprint of Random House.
Open Letter & Press Release From California Journalists On SB 98
Media Contact: Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins via email at info@cajournalists.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, on behalf of thousands of California journalists, an unprecedented coalition of press associations, labor unions, and journalism advocacy groups announced their opposition to a recent amendment made to SB 98, a California state bill originally intended to protect journalists from arrest while covering protests. The coalition includes more than 15 independent groups.
Over the past year, these groups have seen dozens of their members and colleagues injured, detained and arrested by police in California. These journalists were just trying to do their jobs.
The proposed amendment would require the free press to seek permission of a police commander to work from closed areas near protests — a hurdle that doesn’t currently exist under state law and would conflict with the First Amendment.
This coalition urges First Amendment supporters in the California legislature to remove the amended language or strengthen SB 98 in a way that protects the vital activities of the press and the people's right to receive information regarding matters of public concern.
Media Contact: Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins via email at info@cajournalists.org
Related Photos/Videos (GRAPHIC): Recent Police Attacks On CA Journalists
Full Letter:
We, the undersigned organizations, which collectively represent thousands of California journalists, strongly oppose a recent amendment made to SB 98, a bill originally intended to protect journalists covering protests, demonstrations and civil unrest. This amendment may actually restrict existing press freedoms rather than expand them, turning this bill on its head and into something that hurts the very people it was written to help.
Many of our organizations — an unprecedented coalition of press associations, labor unions, and journalism advocacy groups — had endorsed SB 98 prior to this amendment, and others were actively considering doing so. But as now amended, we must withhold any endorsement and are prepared to actively oppose SB 98 until its intent to protect journalists is restored.
We do not enter this political debate lightly. During the past two years, working conditions for California journalists have steadily deteriorated as many of our newspaper, television, radio, digital, freelance and student media colleagues covering protests have been arrested, detained or assaulted by law enforcement while on the job, including while covering the March 25 protest at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. Throughout California in the past 12 months alone, we have documented at least 36 incidents where police have injured, detained, arrested and violated the constitutional rights of clearly identifiable journalists.
SB 98, as originally introduced by Sen. Mike McGuire, would have modestly extended existing state protections for journalists working in disaster areas to also apply to journalists covering civil disturbances. But an amendment added by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 20, 2021, would require journalists to seek permission of a police commander to enter closed areas around protests — a hurdle that doesn’t currently exist under state law. This is a clear attempt to hobble this bill. Journalists should not need permission from a police commander to cover protests, just as law enforcement-issued press credentials should not be required in order for journalists to exercise their First Amendment rights in a public forum.
We are aware that law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, have been lobbying on SB 98 in recent months. We would point out that the Sheriff's mishandling of press freedoms — the department's deputies tackled and arrested KPCC's Josie Huang last fall and have injured others — is one of the reasons our coalition formed in the first place.
We urge all First Amendment supporters in the California legislature to remove the amended language or strengthen SB 98 in a way that protects the vital activities of the press and the people's right to receive information regarding matters of public concern. We encourage Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a genuinely strengthened version into law.
Sincerely,
Asian American Journalists Association, Los Angeles
Californians Aware
CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California
IBEW Local 45
Journalism and Women Symposium, Southern California (JAWS SoCal)
Los Angeles Press Club
Media Alliance
Media Guild of the West, NewsGuild-CWA Local 39213
National Association of Black Journalists of Los Angeles
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association - L.A. Chapter
National Press Photographers Association
National Writers Union
Online News Association Local Los Angeles
Orange County Press Club
Pacific Media Workers Guild, The NewsGuild-CWA Local 39521
Radio Television Digital News Association
Society of Professional Journalists, Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California Chapter
We Make KCRW - SAG-AFTRA
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Alcindor’s Appointment as Washington Week Moderator Keeps Ifill’s Legacy Alive
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) applauds longtime member and its 2020 Journalist of the Year Yamiche Alcindor.
Alcindor has been named the moderator of PBS/WETA’s Washington Week, the longest-running primetime news and analysis program on television. The program has been recognized for its journalism excellence with a prestigious Peabody Award, among other honors.
Alcindor is currently the White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour, a position she will maintain, according to PBS. She is also a political contributor for NBC and previously worked as a reporter for USA Today and The New York Times. She officially joins Washington Week on May 7.
Alcindor follows in the footsteps of the late Gwen Ifill, who was a longtime NABJ member and moderated the program from 1999 until her passing in 2016.
“We are so proud of the work and contributions of Yamiche and how she continues to honor Gwen’s legacy through her achievements,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “This appointment is well-deserved, as it speaks to the important role she has played as a White House correspondent in ensuring that Americans receive their news from a fair and balanced perspective. She is also a great inspiration to aspiring and current Black journalists about what can be achieved with passion and commitment to your craft.”
In addition to being NABJ’s 2020 Journalist of the Year, in 2013, Alcindor was named NABJ’s Emerging Journalist of the Year. In 2020, Alcindor was celebrated across the industry for her resounding impact. She was named the recipient of IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Award and the White House Correspondents’ Association’s Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage.
She has also been honored with the Ifill Next Generation Award by Simmons University and NextGen Leader Award by the Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance. In tribute to Ifill, during Syracuse University’s Toner Prize ceremony, she was also honored in 2017.
Read the full announcement here.