In spring 2000, LaKisha Miller and graduate Erika Durham founded the SHSU Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists to diversify the newsroom and to get more black students involved in the journalism field. Nationally, NABJ is one of the largest organizations for people of color. The organization promotes diversity in the newsroom and gives students the hands -on training they need to be successful African-American journalists.With four active members and three acting officers, the group meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. in Room 201of the Dan Rather Communications Building. Requirements include being a major in the Communications field and maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA.While the organization is geared towards the African-American decent, NABJ is open to anyone. Besides offering weekly meetings, NABJ also prints a bi-monthly newsletter called “The Assessment.” The members also recently attended theregional conference in Baton Rouge, La. Provided at the conference were various seminars and workshops, a job fair and fellowship among successful African-American journalists.Miller, NABJ president, said, “The conference was a wonderful experience. It enabled us to learn about our ever-changing profession, as well as communicating with other journalists in our region.”NABJ will soon be attending the Houston Association of Black Journalists Urban Workshop in a month.”We look forward to this opportunity to acquire professional development and training,” said Miller.For more information on the NABJ, contact president Miller at 439-9399 or look at their national Web site at http://www.nabj.org.
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