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Journalists from 3 Black Colleges at National Convention

By Janene Tate
Black College Wire

More than 1,000 college students and college media advisers learned tips from professionals and took stock of journalism as a career when they gathered in New York March 20-22 for the Spring National College Media Convention.

The conference, sponsored by College Media Advisers, offered workshops and speakers chosen to enhance knowledge of journalism.

Three historically black colleges and universities were represented: Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., Grambling State University of Grambling, La., and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. “We always try to bring our students to conferences like this,” said Pamela Anderson, assistant director of student media services at Southern University. “The workshops prove to be a valuable asset and the experience helps improve our journalists’ work.”

Among the workshops held were covering national events, copy editing, interviewing techniques and obtaining internships.

The Black College Communication Association, which has a partnership with CMA, sponsored one of the workshops. The session was called “Begin at the Beginning: How Great Storytellers Hook their Readers.” Black College Wire Director Betty Anne Williams, a former editor at USA Today, was moderator and Katti Gray, a columnist and reporter for Newsday of New York, and Joel Dreyfuss of Bloomberg led a discussion about writing styles and techniques.

Gray later stressed the importance of younger journalists learning from veterans, especially among African Americans in the industry.

“I think it is highly important that everyone learns to network. Get a business card from a sister or brother before you leave!” said Gray.

Nikki Bannister is sports editor and copy editor for the Southern Digest at Southern University.

Some students took her advice to heart.

"I was happy to see black students networking with professional black journalists,” said Nikki Bannister, sports editor and copy editor for the Southern Digest at Southern University. “It was good to see that mentorships were initiated because we in black college media need direction in order to set our career paths."

The small number of students from black colleges was an issue still lingering in the air for some.

“I learned a lot here. The sessions were great, but I felt there was a lack of diversity here,” said Jason McGehee, a student from Arkansas. “I also felt there was a little bit of isolation…”

Despite the lack of diversity, the overall attendance made some, like John H. Hanson, an adviser from West Chester University of Pennsylvania enthusiastic about the conference. “This kind of turnout shows me that students are still eager to be in this profession in this day in age. That’s astounding!”

Janene Tate, a student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., is managing editor of The Southern Digest.