Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 by Black journalists concerned about the lack of Black journalists in the media and the dearth of coverage of the Black community. It is the first and oldest association of Black journalists in the United States. PABJ is an alliance of all Black media entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia area, including public relations and other media-related professions. PABJ is the founding chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
The organization's current president is Ernest Owens, and other executive board members include Benét Wilson (Vice President of Print), Charlene Horne (Vice President of Broadcast), Camari Ellis (Treasurer), Afea Tucker (Secretary), Tauhid Chappell (Parliamentarian), and Manuel McDonnell Smith (Immediate Past President).
History
In Philadelphia in 1973, legendary Black reporter Acel Moore of The Philadelphia Inquirer met with The Philadelphia Daily News’ Chuck Stone and The Evening Bulletin's Claude Lewis to rally local Black journalists and create an organization that would advocate for fair treatment, equity and accurate representation within their newsrooms. That organization, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, would become the first association of Black journalists in the country, and the founding organization of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Founders
- Acel Moore (1940–2016)
- Reggie Bryant (1941–2010)
- Claude Lewis (1934–2017)
- Chuck Stone (1924–2014)
- Mal Johnson (1922–2007)
- Francine Cheeks
- Elmer Smith
- Sam Pressley
- Sandra D. Long
Scholarships
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists offers a variety of scholarships for students from 4th grade to college students.
Young Aspiring Journalists 4th - 8th grade
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering $500 towards the purchase of equipment or software to a Philadelphia area 4th to 8th grade student actively exploring their interest in the field of journalism or multimedia arts.
Future Journalist 9th – 12th grade
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering $500 towards the purchase of equipment or software to a Philadelphia area high school student actively exploring their interest in the field of journalism or multimedia arts.
College Students Community College / Full-Time
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering one (1) $500 scholarship to a Philadelphia area community college student enrolled full-time in a two year accredited college. Student must be pursuing an associate degree in journalism / multimedia arts.
College Students Undergrad / Part-Time
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering one (1) $500 scholarship to a Philadelphia area college student enrolled as a part-time student (minimum 6 credits) in a four-year accredited college. Student must be pursuing a degree in journalism / multimedia arts.
College Students Undergrad / Full-Time
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is offering three (3) $1,000 scholarships to Philadelphia area college students pursuing a career in journalism / multimedia arts. Those eligible for this journalism challenge must be enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college in the Philadelphia region (Philly, South Jersey, Delaware). Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism or communications (i.e. broadcast, radio, print, new media) or in another major working toward a journalism career.
Committees and Task Forces
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists boasts several committees and task forces that not only uphold the dogged tenets of community-first and community-oriented reporting, but give a nod to the ever-changing dynamics and evolution of the media industry.
- Public Relations Council, Current Chair: Afea Tucker
- Media Monitoring Committee, Current Chair: Aaron Eaton
- Bylaws Committee, Current Chair, Tauhid Chappell
- Membership Committee, Current Co-Chairs: Manuel McDonnell Smith & Teresa Spencer
- Scholarship Committee, Current Chair: Charlene Horne
- Awards Committee, Current Chair: Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown
- Advocacy Task Force, Current Chair: Benét Wilson
- Associate Member Committee, Current Chair: Sharron Cooks
- Entrepreneurship Task Force, Current Chair: Camari Ellis
Presidents
- Ernest Owens (2021–Present)
- Manuel McDonnell Smith (2019–2021)
- Melony Roy (2017–2019)
- Cherri Gregg (2015–2017)
- Johann Calhoun (2013–2015)
- Sarah Glover (2009–2013)
- Monique Oliver (2007–2009)
- Keith Herbert (2005–2007)
- Denise Clay-Murray (2003–2005)
Some of the other previous presidents over the years: Jenice Armstrong, Sheila Simmons, Sherry Howard, Arthur Fennell, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Roxanne Jones.
Awards
Journalist of the Year
2019: Cherri Gregg, Mensah Dean
2018: No award given
2017: Sofiya Ballin, Aundrea Cline-Thomas, Errin Haines
2016: Carron Phillips
2015: Berlinda Garnett
2014: Solomon Jones
2013: Monique Braxton, Cherri Gregg
2012: Sarah Hoye, Jericka Duncan
2011: Harry Hairston, Jesse Washington
2010: Elizabeth Wellington
2009: Arthur Fennell, Jenice Armstrong
2008: Joyce Evans, Annette John-Hall
2007: Melanie Burney
2006: Denise James, Kia Gregory
Trailblazer Award
2019: Eric Nzeribe
2018: Angela P. Dodson
2017: Sara Lomax-Reese
2016: Ernest Owens
2015: No award given
2014: Ed Bradley (posthumously)
2013: Pamela Thompson
2012: Phillip Dixon
2011: Lorraine Branham
2010: Harold Jackson
2009: Jack Jones (posthumously)
2008: Beverly Williams
2007: Elmer Smith, Paul Bennett
2006: Mal Johnson, Reggie Bryant
Impact Award
2019: Yvette Ousley
2018: Leslie Foster
2017: Sandra Clark
2016: Ceasar Aldama
2015: Anzio Williams
2014: Charlene Horne
2013: Eric Hughes
2012: Jennifer Wiggins
Lifetime Achievement Award
2019: Vernon Odom
2018: Vincent Thompson III
2017: Barbara and Tyree Johnson
2016: I. Robin "Bobby" Booker
2015: Barbara Grant
2014: R. Sonny Driver
2013: Bob Perkins
2012: Fatimah Ali (posthumously)
2011: Heshimu Jaramogi
2010: Jack T. Franklin (posthumously)
2009: Lisa Thomas-Laury
2008: Vince Hill
2007: Pete Kane
2006: Malcolm Poindexter, Jr.
Media Professional Award
2019: Aliya Z. Khabir
2018: Evon Burton
2017: Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown
2016: Aalyah Duncan
Community Service Award
2019: Michael Burch
2018: Lorene Cary, Glenn Ellis Sr.
2017: Lois and Oshunbumi “Bumi” Fernandez
2016: Cheryl Ann Wadington
2015: Dr. Tammy Evans-Colquitt, Kenneth Scott
2014: Earl Harvey
2013: Elleanor Jean Hendley
2012: Todd Bernstein
2011: Kenney Gamble & Leon Huff
2010: Thera Martin Connelly
2009: Loraine Ballard Morrill
2008: Michael Coard
2007: Orien Reid