Malaika Desrameaux/Contributing Writer
After being disbanded for a few years, the revival of the Association of Black Journalists on campus. The organization was founded two to three years ago, but disbanded once the original members graduated.
During fall 2017, current president Janiah Adams joined the South Florida Black Journalist Association and became a student representative. Adams is a senior majoring in broadcast media. Through this position, Adams was tasked with surveying journalism students and understanding what they wanted from SFBJA. Adams figured, the best tactic: reintroduce ABJ to the FIU community. She connected with Neil Reisner, a professor in the School of Journalism + Communication. The pair worked together to find other interested students. From there, the organization grew.
“[ABJ at FIU] is a really good way to connect with other like-minded people on campus,” said Adams.
Members of ABJ tabling. Top left to right: Christina Augustin, Marveling Nelson, Ana Gomez.
Bottom left to right: Janiah Adams and Jaylin Hawkins. Photo courtesy of the Association of Black Journalists at FIU.
The organization is currently working to increase their visibility on campus. They aim to provide resources to student journalists, in an effort to help their career goals. This includes volunteer opportunities, internship workshops and study nights. The goal of ABJ, according to Adams, is to build professional relationships between black student journalists and black professional journalists. Their goal, she said, is to create mentorship and coaching relationships which lends a hand to cultivating resources and connections these journalism students need to succeed.
“Unfortunately, there is a lack of black journalist in the media and although journalists are required to be unbiased and impartial, it’s still important for everyone to have a representation of themselves,” said Adams.
In 2016, the American Society of New Editors found that minorities made up only 17 percent of the staff at traditional print and online news publications, where the overall minority population of the United States is 40 percent. Over 400 news organizations participated in the study anonymously.
This semester, ABJ will be event and workshop based. On Thursday, Jan. 25, they hosted a Mixer and Meet & Greet with WLRN’s social justice reporter, Nadege Green, for members and nonmembers. Adams said she attended a previous speaking engagement featuring Green and and found her to be impactful. Green is a young journalist and Adams knows she can provide advice and will connect well with young journalists, or those interested in media in general.
For Black History Month, ABJ will host a Finding Your Voice workshop, on Wednesday, Feb. 7, specifically for young journalists to improve their writing skills. The organization will also be hosting a Journalists Who Covered Jim Crow panel, highlighting reporters who were involved in the media during the time, especially in Florida, on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Pictured left to right: Janiah Adams, Carolyn Guniss, Merveline Nelson. Photo courtesy of the Association of Black Journalists at FIU.
“Some people don’t see journalism as a lasting career or career at all,” said Merveline Nelson, ABJ at FIU’s events coordinator, a junior majoring in public relations advertising and applied communications. “We are working to educate students and help them set their goals for their future. We want them to know that they do have options.” Nelson said.
ABJ at FIU is open to all journalism students and those interested in the media in general.Interested students can apply through Orgsync. The organization is currently working to become officially affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists.
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