Our History

The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) , founded in 1975, 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.

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 media remains, and WABJ continues to make tremendous strides in building and retaining an active membership. We welcome new partnerships to maintain and strengthen our cutting-edge programming and outreach efforts to meet the of the moment for Black media professionals in the nation’s capital.