Setting the Stage For Success in Media Diversity
By: Manny Mcdonnell Smith
Tags: Media Industry, Nabj, Journalism, Diversity And Inclusion, Media Innovation

How the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is preparing to drive the push for equity in this new age of the media industry.

If there’s one lesson to take from the frustrations unleashed by African-American communities across the nation in 2020, it’s a demand for unequivocal equity in our march for true diversity. The efforts and good intentions of corporations and individuals to the future of this cause are honorable. But the full unlocking of this potential will require the very best of Black Community leadership to be laser-focused on this issue. Not mediocre, but proficient leaders, who will be ready to deploy both learned knowledge and personal experience to get our society closer to delivering the balance of diversity and equity it deserves.

That’s why I’m especially proud of the new Executive Leadership Team recently elected by The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ). As the founding chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, PABJ has always been a trailblazer in advancing and evolving media diversity. As we approach our 50th anniversary, there are several historical “firsts” that the chapter remains proud of. But the election of this leadership team is a triumph of many fronts, a true “gift that will keep on giving”, in keeping with the spirit of the season. They include:

An independent majority

For the first time, PABJ’s Executive Leadership team is a majority of freelance, independent journalists. While all of the board retains affiliations with mainstream publications, being freelance affords the freedom to retain ownership of the content they produce. And allows them full voice and flexibility to address diversity concerns whenever and wherever they may occur, with no worry of angering an employer or manager. Further, PABJ is particularly proud of the traditional fellowship and training opportunities we provide to students. But we steadfastly believe that Black Communities are best served when they own the stories that are told for and about them.

National Caliber Experience

Over the past two years, PABJ has reimagined how NABJ chapters engage and support Black Journalists on the local front. We’ve grown into a 200-member strong regional powerhouse serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware. Throughout, we’ve been aggressive about establishing networks and partnerships to deliver world-caliber discussion, workshop, and training opportunities for our members. Benet Wilson, our incoming Vice President/Print will lead efforts to continue this evolution, leveraging her national renown and experience from the boards of NABJ and ONA (Online News Association), and her direct partnerships with leading digital brands including Google & “ThePointsGuy”.

Members of the 2021–23 PABJ Executive Board, from top, left to right: Benet Wilson, Ernest Owens, Charlene Horne, Camari Ellis, Tauhid Chappell, Afea Tucker, and Manuel McDonnell Smith

Meeting the Need

Historically, African-American Communities have never been completely served by mainstream media outlets and publications. While much of this can be attributed to the lack of ownership and opportunity, trends show that African Americans audiences have migrated towards digital platforms and social media for identifiable news and information (i.e. “Black Twitter”). The incoming PABJ board is specially equipped to fully attract, engage, and retain this new class of storytellers alongside traditional journalists. Treasurer Camari Ellis is a respected business finance expert and owner of his own brand ‘The Black Wealth Project”. Along with Parliamentarian Tauhid Chappell, who is embodying the transition from professional to non-profit administration will continue their direct support of current and future platforms for Black Stories to be experienced and told in their fullest glory.

Leveling the Playing Field

When PABJ’s founders laid the framework for our organization fifty years ago, newspapers were still printing twice-daily, television news was still new, and there was no home internet. The digital age has enabled new opportunities, job titles, and roles beyond Reporter and Editor that will shape the future of ensuring Black Stories are told with passion and purpose. PABJ Secretary Afea Tucker, returning for a second term, will continue building journalism adjacent opportunities and access through our “PR Council” while VP/Broadcast Charlene Horne will continue to lead our Scholarship & Training Efforts, including our signature fellowship programs, which will expand to new newsrooms in the region in 2021.

Over the past two years, it has been a privilege to lead a chapter that fully embraced a “level up” enthusiasm that lead to members being promoted into leading & leadership opportunities in the broadcast and print newsrooms across the city, including incoming President Ernest Owens, to Editor-at-Large of Philadelphia Magazine. It is the most senior daily editorial role held by a PABJ leader in many years, a near-return to leadership embodied by PABJ Founder Acel Moore at The Philadelphia Inquirer. Those days were remarkable and so will be the days to come in the future.

Diversity is not hard. It just requires determination.