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HBCU Students Share Love of Journalism

By Kendra Toussant
Black College Wire

More than 200 students and advisers from at least 20 colleges and universities shared a love of journalism and a commitment to professional development during the HBCU National Newspaper Convention in Montgomery, Ala.

Photo credit: Douglas Toussaint Gabrielle Maple holds the award for the Southern Digest at Southern University, named Best HBCU Newspaper.

From Feb. 4 to 7, they attended sessions presented by experts who discussed topics from newsroom behavior and best practices to freedom of speech. They also asserted their school pride as they competed for honors for their student newspapers in the convention�s awards program

�We [professionals] owe this to you," said Cedric Bryant, manager/professional staffing for Gannett Co. Inc., which publishes 100 newspapers in the United States, including USA Today. The company also owns 22 television stations. "When I was a student at North Carolina A&T, I didn�t have any events like this to attend."

Attendees heard three keynote speakers reflect on the triumphs, defeats and successes in their careers.

The convention was hosted by Alabama State and Jackson State universities, and brought 23 black colleges together, including Alcorn State, Bennett College for Women, Clark Atlanta, Florida A&M, Grambling State, Hampton, Lincoln University (Mo.), Miles, Norfolk State, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, Tennessee State, Tuskegee and Talladega.

Kenneth Dean, director of student media at Alabama State, said he began working on the 2004 convention after last year�s event at Jackson State in Mississippi.

"I really worked hard to make sure that this year�s event was a convention instead of a conference," Dean said. �This event is now considered a national conference for HBCUs. I was pleased at the overall turnout."

Dean also said he took into account some of the feedback from students after the 2003 conference.

"Some students said the convention didn�t last long enough last year, so we added days. Some said they wanted more keynote speakers. I added two this year. Some students wanted more categories for awards, and we added quite a few. I wanted to give them what they wanted.�

Students said the convention gave them a chance to meet and learn from peers at other schools.

"This convention gives us a chance to get together, since we are spread out across the country. This gives us a chance to celebrate together," said Talia Buford, editor-in-chief of the Hampton Script.

Some found the convention beneficial mentally and socially.

"For me, we are not as much in competition for ourselves as we are to gain brotherhood. It�s not just about Florida A&M University or Southern University, it�s about journalism," said Garrison Vereen II, copy desk chief of The Famuan.

Kendra Toussant, a student at Southern University, is arts editor of the Southern Digest. Janene Tate, a student at Southern University, also contributed to this story.

Posted Feb. 13, 2004