Washington Association of Black Journalists 2023 Partnership Opportunities
Welcome
Since 1975, WABJ has been navigating various challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of the moment in this even
The physical distance and challenges the COVID-19 pandemic caused over the past few years did not stop us from making tremendous strides. WABJ quadrupled its membership since 2021, offered dozens of hands-on training workshops and programming that connected members with newsroom managers, and improved outreach efforts. Among other things, we revamped our operating and governing structures, and created an awards program to celebrate Washington, D.C. area Black media professionals and journalism educators for their outstanding career achievements.
WABJ’s leadership is working to elevate the legacy of our founders who paved the way for young journalists like myself. And we are also recognizing the changing nature of the media industry by refocusing our priorities and goals to be better advocates for our members.
We welcome new partnerships to support Black media professionals in the nation’s capital and ensure newsrooms across the region are diverse as their readers, viewers and listeners. Your support ensures WABJ’s mission is successfully delivered.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Our History ........................................................... 3 Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities Urban Journalism Workshop (UJW) ............................. 5 Emerging Journalists Mentorship Program ................... 6 DC Journalism Job Fair ............................................ 7 DC Diversity Mixer .................................................. 8 Academic Scholarships ............................................ 9 2023 WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala .................... 10 Partner with WABJ ................................................. 13
Khorri A. Atkinson President Washington Association of Black Journalists
Our History
Founded in 1975, WABJ is an organization of Black journalists, journalism educators, public relations professionals and student journalists in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
WABJ, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, represents more than 300 members and offers year-round professional development programming. In addition, the organization hosts networking events, and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion at local media companies and accurate news coverage of issues impacting the Black community in the region.
Our parent organization, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), began in the nation’s capital on December 12, 1975 when a group of 44 brave and talented journalists demanded fair treatment, job opportunities and accurate representation of Black Americans in newsrooms throughout the country. They founded the organization at the thenMarriott Wardman Hotel in Northwest, risking their careers and professional reputations due to pushback some of them received at the time from their managers.
Among the NABJ founding members were D.C.-based journalists Paul Brock, Paul Delaney, Maureen Bunyan and Max Robinson, Charlie Cobb, Joel Dreyfuss and John C. White. Brock, who had a long career in journalism and public relations, was WABJ’s founding president and served as NABJ’s founding executive director.
The need for more DEI in the media remains, and WABJ is building itself as a leader among journalism organizations and improving the ways in which it serves members and partners.
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Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during the WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala in December 2022
Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
Urban Journalism Workshop (UJW)
This annual program, founded in 1986, teaches D.C. area high school students the fundamentals of journalism through interactive lectures, hands-on training, and field trips. Professional journalists, educators, and journalism college students provide mentorship and supervision to program participants. The participants and instructors meet at least eight consecutive Saturdays each spring.
This program serves as WABJ’s premier community service initiative to help prepare local high school students for further academic studies in media, and to build a talent pipeline to diversify the journalism profession.
Some UJW alumni now work or have previously worked for outlets including The New York Times, The Associated Press, ESPN, Sirius/XM and local TV network affiliates across the country.
UJW Alumni
Angel Jennings Assistant Managing Editor for Culture and Talent Los Angeles Times
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Lorenzo Hall News Anchor
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Drew Costley Climate and Environment Reporter Associated Press
Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
Emerging Journalists Mentorship Program
In 2021, WABJ established the Emerging Journalists Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to nurture the next generation of journalists by providing them with resources and mentorship.
The program, spearheaded by WABJ’s Student Engagement & Early Career Development Committee, pairs college students and recent grads with professional journalists. Mentors offer one-on-one monthly checkin sessions with their mentees to provide guidance and answer general inquiries about the media industry. The committee hosts career development and handson training sessions exclusively for mentees and WABJ student members throughout the year.
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Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
DC Journalism Job Fair
Each spring, WABJ collaborates with the D.C. chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) to organize a job fair for journalists at Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.
The event attracts recruiters from dozens of print, digital and broadcast outlets who meet with job seekers with varied levels of experience.
DC Diversity Mixer
WABJ, NAHJ-DC, AAJA-DC, NLGJA-DC, the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA), Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA), and the Trans Journalists Association (TJA) host this annual evening of food, fun and networking each fall at a local restaurant.
This event aims to create opportunities for D.C. media professionals to grow their network, build community and learn.
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Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
Academic Scholarships
The organization awards scholarships annually to deserving students interested in pursuing journalism careers, thanks to donations from our members, and corporate and philanthropic partners. We welcome and appreciate individual, group or partner support to sustain these programs. Prospective donors may reach us at give@WABJDC.org.
WABJ Investigative Journalism Scholarship
This scholarship will be launched in fall 2023, thanks to a $10,000 donation from MGM’s Orion Pictures and United Artists. Jalyn Hall, the young star who portrays Emmett Till in the film Till, announced this scholarship at the WABJ’s inaugural Special Honors Awards Gala in December 2022 to support our efforts to increase the representation of Black journalists in the field of investigative reporting.
George E. Curry/UJW Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded each year to at least one graduating high school senior who completes the UJW program and will enroll in an accredited college or university. This scholarship was created in 2021 in honor of the late George E. Curry, a journalist and a longtime champion of the Black press, who started the UJW program.
WABJ Paul Brock Scholarship
This scholarship was created in 2022 in memory of WABJ founding president Paul Brock. Students studying journalism at a university in the Washington, D.C. metro area are eligible to apply. Our inaugural recipient will be announced this year and recognized at the WABJ 2023 Special Honors Awards Gala.
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Signature Programs & Sponsorship Opportunities
WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala
Our second annual awards gala will take place in December to celebrate and recognize the extraordinary contributions D.C. area Black journalists, journalism educators and communications professionals have made through their distinguished body of work over the years.
The awards program, the largest annual gathering of journalists of color in the region, serves as a fundraiser to sustain our scholarships, our longstanding high school journalism program, and year-round professional development programming for members.
Members who have passed away within the last year also will be memorialized. The event concludes with an after-party.
WABJ Special Honors Categories
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Legacy Award
• Journalist Of The Year
• Young Journalist of Excellence Award
• Excellence in Communications Award
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Actor Jalyn Hall and journalist Roland Martin at the WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala in December 2022.
WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala
2023 Sponsorship Opportunities
Presenting Sponsor - $25,000
• Event naming rights as “WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala, Presented by” Sponsor Company
• Logo placement on all event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and special acknowledgment in WABJ chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• Special social media recognition
• Opportunity to deliver remarks at event
• Full-page ad in program booklet
• Access to VIP reception
• Banner across the website
• 1 table
Platinum Sponsor - $15,000
• Logo placement on all event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and special acknowledgment in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• Special social media recognition
• Opportunity to speak at event and provide items for swag bag
• Full-page ad in program booklet
• 1 table
Diamond - $10,000
• Logo placement on all event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and acknowledgement in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• Opportunity to provide items for swag bag
• 1⁄2 page ad in program booklet
• 1 table
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WABJ Special Honors Awards Gala
2023 Sponsorship Opportunities
Gold - $8,000
• Logo placement on all event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and acknowledgement in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• 1⁄2 page ad in program booklet
• 6 complimentary event tickets
Silver - $6,000
• Logo placement on all event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and acknowledgement in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• 5 complimentary event tickets
Bronze - $4,000
• Recognition on select event promotional materials and booklet, digital event signage and acknowledgement in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
• 4 complimentary event tickets
Patron - $1,500 - $3,999
• Recognition on select event promotional materials and booklet digital event signage
• 2 complimentary event tickets
Friend of WABJ - Up to $1,000
• Recognition on select event promotional materials and booklet digital event signage and acknowledgement in chapter monthly newsletters for a year
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Support Diversity in Journalism
Partner with WABJ
The Washington Association of Black Journalists is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization. Our organization is able to continue its mission because of your support and generosity.
As an organization of journalists and media professionals, sponsorship is based on support of the organization and its mission. Financial support does not indicate endorsement of a company, product or platform, and does not guarantee coverage, or positive coverage.
Please reach us using the information below if you would like to explore new partnerships and or donate funding for sponsorships, professional development programming or special events.
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Contact WABJ Washington Association of Black Journalists P.O. Box 2683 Washington, D.C. 20013 Email: president@wabjdc.org Web: wabjdc.org
WABJ President Khorri Atkinson presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Adelle Banks at the Special Honors Awards Gala in December 2022.
