By Frank Macek
As the National Association of Black Journalists marks its golden anniversary, thousands of journalists, media professionals, students, and allies will convene in Cleveland, Ohio, August 6–10, 2025, for the landmark 50th Annual NABJ Convention & Career Fair. This gathering at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland reflects NABJ’s half‑century in elevating Black voices in journalism and media, blending professional development, advocacy, and celebration of Black excellence.
Origins and Mission: Why NABJ Was Founded
Founded on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., by 44 Black journalists, NABJ emerged amid concerns that mainstream media lacked diversity and misrepresented Black communities. Inspired by prior local journalist associations and in response to the Kerner Commission’s 1968 findings, NABJ launched with a mission to increase Black representation in newsrooms and advocate for greater inclusion and accurate storytelling. Over decades, it has grown into the largest organization of journalists of color in the U.S., now with over 4,000 members, through its programs, training, awards, and advocacy.
A Convention with Purpose: Programming at a Glance
This year’s theme, "Resilience, Advocacy, Excellence: Evolution of Our Voices," captures both NABJ’s legacy and forward momentum. The five‑day agenda includes:
- Career Fair & Exhibits (August 6–8): Hosted in Exhibit Hall C of the Huntington Convention Center, the NABJ Career Fair is touted as the country’s largest career expo for Black journalists. Recruiters from journalism schools, digital startups, national media, and PR/communications firms will seek candidates across beats like health, business, sports, race and justice, arts and culture, international news, lifestyle reporting, and more.
- Plenary Sessions & Keynotes: Though full keynote lists are evolving, past NABJ conventions have featured distinguished voices—from former presidents to leading media executives—demonstrating the event’s stature and reach.
- Workshops & Task Force Meetings: More than 30 topic‑driven sessions, innovation labs, and task‑force roundtables are scheduled. For instance, NBCU Academy on August 7 provides immersive all‑day training in writing, producing, and storytelling, led by NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Telemundo professionals including Craig Melvin, Yamiche Alcindor, and more.
- Special Brand Activation Workshops (Thursday, August 7):
- ABC News Storytellers Summit offers storytelling best practices to seasoned creators.
- CNN MasterCraft: The Digital Essentials provides hands‑on workshops in vertical video, real‑time social storytelling, and digital content strategies.
- Innovation Bubble: A showcase of emerging media tools and tech trends happening Thursday, August 7, emphasizing forward‑looking formats and creative storytelling methods.
- Hall of Fame Induction & Luncheon (Friday, August 8, 12 pm – 2 pm): NABJ will induct seven journalists and communicators into its Hall of Fame—honoring impactful careers and contributions to Black media storytelling.
- Wellness & Networking: On Friday evening (August 8), NABJ’s Wellness Task Force offers a “Healthy NABJ Meditation Sound Bath” for up to 75 participants—a restorative session designed for clarity and focus.
- Sports Task Force Scholarship Jam (Friday–Saturday night, August 8‑9): A high‑energy party at House of Blues raising funds for scholarships, with music and dancing until 2 a.m.
- Visual Task Force Photo Auction (Saturday, August 9): Donated photographic works on the African American experience will be auctioned off—with proceeds benefiting the NABJ Scholarship Fund.
- Salute to Excellence Awards Gala (Saturday evening, August 9): The flagship ceremony honoring outstanding journalism covering African diaspora and Black issues. Winners are announced during this gala dinner event.
- Gospel Brunch (Sunday morning, August 10): A beloved NABJ tradition, attendees close the convention with uplift and fellowship over food and performances.
Local Flavor and Community Engagement
Cleveland local organizers and partners are infusing the week with regional flavor. Pre‑convention gatherings include an August 5 reception at Eastman Reading Garden, and a city‑wide party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on August 6 celebrating Cleveland’s musical legacy. During lunch hours (August 6–8), the “Land Lounge” on Mall B—just outside the Convention Center—will feature food trucks, live music, local arts vendors, and Black‑owned business activation open to attendees and the broader community.
Curated tours exploring Black history, urban agriculture, arts, and culture are also scheduled on August 9, giving attendees a deeper look at Cleveland's story and civic energy.
WKYC Studios: NABJ’s Nightly Broadcast Hub
A unique innovation in 2025: NABJ will partner with Cleveland’s WKYC Studios to produce nightly broadcasts Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights (August 6, 7, and 8). These televised segments will feature recaps, interviews from the floor, interviews with keynote speakers, highlights from special events, and local stories linked to both the convention and the city. The broadcasts will air on a closed‑circuit channel at the conference venue, allowing attendees to see live reflections of the day’s sessions and to stay connected to programming across days. It’s a first‑of‑its‑kind collaboration for NABJ, blending professional broadcast production facilities with live convention programming.
Why This Matters
This gathering is both a celebration and a mission‑driven gathering. NABJ was born from the need to challenge newsroom homogeneity and push for better representation—and five decades later, it continues that work at scale. The Career Fair remains among the most powerful pathways for Black journalists to connect with recruiters, editors, and peers. In years past, convention speakers have included presidents, civil rights leaders, and entertainment icons—reflecting the prestige and cultural position of the conference.
In 2025, Cleveland serves as both host city and symbol—known for a deep Black community legacy in music, business, sports, and innovation. NABJ’s presence amplifies that work and spotlights Cleveland as a hub for journalism’s future.
Convention Schedule Summary
As the National Association of Black Journalists marks its golden anniversary, thousands of journalists, media professionals, students, and allies will convene in Cleveland, Ohio, August 6–10, 2025, for the landmark 50th Annual NABJ Convention & Career Fair. This gathering at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland reflects NABJ’s half‑century in elevating Black voices in journalism and media, blending professional development, advocacy, and celebration of Black excellence.
Origins and Mission: Why NABJ Was Founded
Founded on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., by 44 Black journalists, NABJ emerged amid concerns that mainstream media lacked diversity and misrepresented Black communities. Inspired by prior local journalist associations and in response to the Kerner Commission’s 1968 findings, NABJ launched with a mission to increase Black representation in newsrooms and advocate for greater inclusion and accurate storytelling. Over decades, it has grown into the largest organization of journalists of color in the U.S., now with over 4,000 members, through its programs, training, awards, and advocacy.
A Convention with Purpose: Programming at a Glance
This year’s theme, "Resilience, Advocacy, Excellence: Evolution of Our Voices," captures both NABJ’s legacy and forward momentum. The five‑day agenda includes:
- Career Fair & Exhibits (August 6–8): Hosted in Exhibit Hall C of the Huntington Convention Center, the NABJ Career Fair is touted as the country’s largest career expo for Black journalists. Recruiters from journalism schools, digital startups, national media, and PR/communications firms will seek candidates across beats like health, business, sports, race and justice, arts and culture, international news, lifestyle reporting, and more.
- Plenary Sessions & Keynotes: Though full keynote lists are evolving, past NABJ conventions have featured distinguished voices—from former presidents to leading media executives—demonstrating the event’s stature and reach.
- Workshops & Task Force Meetings: More than 30 topic‑driven sessions, innovation labs, and task‑force roundtables are scheduled. For instance, NBCU Academy on August 7 provides immersive all‑day training in writing, producing, and storytelling, led by NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Telemundo professionals including Craig Melvin, Yamiche Alcindor, and more.
- Special Brand Activation Workshops (Thursday, August 7):
- ABC News Storytellers Summit offers storytelling best practices to seasoned creators.
- CNN MasterCraft: The Digital Essentials provides hands‑on workshops in vertical video, real‑time social storytelling, and digital content strategies.
- Innovation Bubble: A showcase of emerging media tools and tech trends happening Thursday, August 7, emphasizing forward‑looking formats and creative storytelling methods.
- Hall of Fame Induction & Luncheon (Friday, August 8, 12 pm – 2 pm): NABJ will induct seven journalists and communicators into its Hall of Fame—honoring impactful careers and contributions to Black media storytelling.
- Wellness & Networking: On Friday evening (August 8), NABJ’s Wellness Task Force offers a “Healthy NABJ Meditation Sound Bath” for up to 75 participants—a restorative session designed for clarity and focus.
- Sports Task Force Scholarship Jam (Friday–Saturday night, August 8‑9): A high‑energy party at House of Blues raising funds for scholarships, with music and dancing until 2 a.m.
- Visual Task Force Photo Auction (Saturday, August 9): Donated photographic works on the African American experience will be auctioned off—with proceeds benefiting the NABJ Scholarship Fund.
- Salute to Excellence Awards Gala (Saturday evening, August 9): The flagship ceremony honoring outstanding journalism covering African diaspora and Black issues. Winners are announced during this gala dinner event.
- Gospel Brunch (Sunday morning, August 10): A beloved NABJ tradition, attendees close the convention with uplift and fellowship over food and performances.
Local Flavor and Community Engagement
Cleveland local organizers and partners are infusing the week with regional flavor. Pre‑convention gatherings include an August 5 reception at Eastman Reading Garden, and a city‑wide party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on August 6 celebrating Cleveland’s musical legacy. During lunch hours (August 6–8), the “Land Lounge” on Mall B—just outside the Convention Center—will feature food trucks, live music, local arts vendors, and Black‑owned business activation open to attendees and the broader community.
Curated tours exploring Black history, urban agriculture, arts, and culture are also scheduled on August 9, giving attendees a deeper look at Cleveland's story and civic energy.
WKYC Studios: NABJ’s Nightly Broadcast Hub
A unique innovation in 2025: NABJ will partner with Cleveland’s WKYC Studios to produce nightly broadcasts Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights (August 6, 7, and 8). These televised segments will feature recaps, interviews from the floor, interviews with keynote speakers, highlights from special events, and local stories linked to both the convention and the city. The broadcasts will air on a closed‑circuit channel at the conference venue, allowing attendees to see live reflections of the day’s sessions and to stay connected to programming across days. It’s a first‑of‑its‑kind collaboration for NABJ, blending professional broadcast production facilities with live convention programming.
Why This Matters
This gathering is both a celebration and a mission‑driven gathering. NABJ was born from the need to challenge newsroom homogeneity and push for better representation—and five decades later, it continues that work at scale. The Career Fair remains among the most powerful pathways for Black journalists to connect with recruiters, editors, and peers. In years past, convention speakers have included presidents, civil rights leaders, and entertainment icons—reflecting the prestige and cultural position of the conference.
In 2025, Cleveland serves as both host city and symbol—known for a deep Black community legacy in music, business, sports, and innovation. NABJ’s presence amplifies that work and spotlights Cleveland as a hub for journalism’s future.
Convention Schedule Summary
- Tue, August 5 | Exhibitor move‑in, pre‑convention reception
- Wed, August 6 | Welcome, Career Fair opens, Land Lounge
- Thu, August 7 | Career Fair continues; ABC, CNN, NBCU workshops; Innovation Bubble
- Fri, August 8 | Career Fair final day; Hall of Fame Luncheon; Sound Bath; Scholarship Jam
- Sat, August 9 | Photo Auction; Salute to Excellence Awards Gala; NABJ party planned
- Sun, August 10 | Gospel Brunch farewell breakfast
Frank's Final Thoughts
As NABJ celebrates 50 years, the 2025 Convention & Career Fair in Cleveland stands as a testament to resilience, advocacy, and excellence. From its launch in 1975 to its growth into the largest organization of journalists of color, NABJ has served as both a change agent and a community pillar. This year’s gathering—informed by workshops, networking, awards, and nightly broadcast innovation with WKYC—is set to empower a new generation of storytellers and celebrate the legacies that brought us here.
Whether you're attending to expand your skills, pursue opportunities at the Career Fair, tune in to nightly broadcasts at WKYC Studios, or even explore Cleveland's vibrant cultural scene, NABJ25 promises to be an immersive and inspiring event—rooted in history and looking boldly ahead.
As NABJ celebrates 50 years, the 2025 Convention & Career Fair in Cleveland stands as a testament to resilience, advocacy, and excellence. From its launch in 1975 to its growth into the largest organization of journalists of color, NABJ has served as both a change agent and a community pillar. This year’s gathering—informed by workshops, networking, awards, and nightly broadcast innovation with WKYC—is set to empower a new generation of storytellers and celebrate the legacies that brought us here.
Whether you're attending to expand your skills, pursue opportunities at the Career Fair, tune in to nightly broadcasts at WKYC Studios, or even explore Cleveland's vibrant cultural scene, NABJ25 promises to be an immersive and inspiring event—rooted in history and looking boldly ahead.