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Jackson State Hosting Conference for HBCU Journalists

By Shameka Reed

Student journalists from historically black colleges and universities across the country will be spending Valentine�s Day at Jackson State University.

They will join newspaper professionals, veteran journalists and recruiters at the 2003 HBCU Newspaper Conference, sponsored by the campus newspaper, The Blue and White Flash; the Jackson State Office of Student Publications; the Hornet Tribune at Alabama State University and the Alabama State University Office of Student Media.

The conference is scheduled for Feb. 13-15 at the Dollye M.E. Robinson School of Liberal Arts on the Jackson State campus in Jackson, Miss.

�It is very important that college and university students who are serious about a career in journalism take full advantage of this opportunity to learn from professionals and share experiences at campus newspapers with their peers from other institutions,� said Sylvia Watley, adviser/student publications director at the university and conference coordinator, saying she was excited that the event was taking place on her campus.

Workshops will cover topics such as online newspaper production, copy editing and visual journalism as well as news/investigative reporting and feature, editorial and sports writing. Media professionals will also speak to students about newsroom management, career preparation, internship opportunities and First Amendment rights and responsibilities.

�It was important for us to continue this conference that began in March 1997 at Morgan State University,� Watley said. �Two members from The Flash staff attended that year, learned a lot and were able to bring some of those things back to make our paper better. They also made invaluable career contacts and were motivated to keep writing.�

Watley added: �We also attended the conference a years ago at Tennessee State University, with positive results. We hated to see the HBCU Newspaper Conference die, so we decided, with some help, to try to revive it. Hopefully this year�s conference will prove to be as successful as the previous gatherings.�

Tenesia Mathews, editor-in-chief of The Panther at Prairie View A&M University, is looking forward to making the trip. �I�m very excited, given that we don�t have many conferences for HBCUs. I�m looking forward to seeing what we can bring to the table,� Mathews said.

Before the opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 13, students can get a head start by learning resume and interview preparation, which will be followed by various workshops on Friday, Feb. 14. The closing event is a banquet featuring Caesar Andrews, executive editor of Gannett News Service. Student newspapers will be recognized in an awards ceremony. On Saturday, Feb. 15, a job fair, sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, pairs students seeking jobs with recruiters from a variety of newspapers.

Betty Anne Williams, coordinator of the job fair, is encouraging students to bring multiple copies of resumes and clips.

�The ASNE job fair is one of the best opportunities available to students who want newspaper jobs this summer and to make contacts that could lead to full-time employment later,� said Williams.

�Recruiters from national organizations such as the New York Times and the Gannett Co. Inc., which owns USA Today and more than 90 other newspapers, will join representatives from such leading regional newspapers as the Mobile Register and the Birmingham News, both in Alabama, and the Monroe News-Star in Louisiana.�

Kendrick Marshall, a sophomore mass communications major and sports editor, said this would be the first conference he will attend that is aimed at minorities.

He said he looked forward to networking with peers from other HBCUs and hearing the presenters, but was more interested in the job fair, where he hoped "to gain experience that will help me be more prepared for a career in journalism. �The job fair is very important because I can network with representatives from different newspapers. It could boost my internship and job possibilities," Marshall said.

Watley said she was expecting about 150 students and hoped they all will enhance their campus newspapers when they return.

�The presenters and speakers are an important part of this conference, and we can�t thank them enough,� Watley said. �They are giving their time and expertise to help our students become better journalists and they are doing it at their own expense. I think that speaks volumes to their commitment to quality journalism and to making sure our students succeed.�

Shantella Sherman, a syndicated writer who will lead a session on feature writing, said that coming to the conference would be a way for her to give something back. �My time at an HBCU newspaper was crucial to my development as a writer. I am looking forward to offering some insight into the industry,� she said.

Conference information is available at www.jsums.edu/~studentlife. For additional information, call the Jackson State University Office of Student Publications at (601) 979-2167.

Shameka Reed is editor-in-chief of The Blue & White Flash at Jackson State University.