By Asia Ewart
NYABJ Vice President Bill Allen, NYABJ President Bonita Sostre and NABJ President Ken Lemon at the 2024 NABJ Convention and Career Fair.
The New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) has been recognized as the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2024 Professional Chapter of the Year. This marks NYABJ's first such honor since 2013, acknowledging their outstanding contributions in programming, advocacy, community service, membership growth, scholarship awards, and fundraising.
The announcement was made on July 31 during the opening ceremony of the annual NABJ Convention and Career Fair, which was held in Chicago this year. NYABJ represents over 1,000 members working in New York, including notable on-air journalists such as Chanteé Lans, Jericka Duncan, and Maurice DuBois.
Chapter president Bonita Sostre expressed her overwhelming emotion at seeing NYABJ honored after more than a decade. Sostre, who rose from secretary to president, credited her board's dedication and support for the chapter's success.
"Seeing NYABJ honored after more than a decade...is overwhelming," said Sostre. "It makes me feel like I've done right by this organization."
The chapter organizes impactful events such as the annual Juneteenth Gala & Awards, which honors excellence in journalism coverage of African-American and African Diaspora communities in the Greater New York City area. NYABJ also supports future journalists through initiatives like the First Take Scholarships, awarded to graduates of their high school journalism program since 1988. In 2024, the 36th class of scholars was selected from over 150 applications.
Chapter vice president Bill Allen highlighted the organization's efforts to engage and inform members through various initiatives.
"We made things exciting for members again," says Allen, referencing how the organization has improved following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We're making our members more informed, more excited to come out to meetings. We put up visuals and have our podcast. Everything we've done has been to enhance."
Sostre emphasized the chapter's commitment to providing value for members' dues, stating "We make sure our members' dollars count. We do this by hosting two events a month. We host one Zoom event for those who can't make it into the city and those who work crazy hours, and we also host one in-person event."
As NYABJ celebrates its recognition, it remains focused on building well-rounded professionals and fostering connections within New York's Black journalism community regardless of whether or not journalists are currently working for a publication. Allen took care to highlight what the organization does for freelance journalists.
"The podcast and online publication, those are going to help freelancers and other people who have a lot of ambition and talent get more exposure," he said. "We want to make them feel like they're worthy and like they have a purpose. [Journalism] isn't something you can give up on because no one's going to see you. We want to give people that spark and inspiration to be better."
Sostre spoke of student journalists and how NYABJ prepares them for the future with the same warmth.
"We are building, growing, and doubling in those who participate in Our First Take high school journalism program," she said. "This year, we're hoping to give away more scholarship dollars and get assistance from larger corporate entities to help allow us to grow."
"It's important for me to help First Take grow," Sostre continued. "Because those journalists who are just high schoolers now, they're going to become journalists. And I want them to come back to NYABJ. We're very lucky and thankful that we have some of those people."
Visits to publications including the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, CBS News, CBS Sports, the New York Times, and radio and podcast platform Audacy, among others, have allowed students to learn about the different types of journalism they can build a career in.
Looking to the future, while NYABJ continues to share offerings like the online news magazine "NYABJ Pulse" and the podcast "The Sidebar by NYABJ," the organization is also preparing for its 50th anniversary in 2026.
Sostre shared her vision for NYABJ's future and its role in the journalism community:
"We really want those that are part of the organization, and those who are unaware of the organization, to see that we are steady in journalism. [The field] can feel like a rocky road and you feel like you're on a roller coaster. But when you need that stability, come to NYABJ. NYABJ allows for stability, mentorship, and networking. It allows people to have a place to just find solace when it's crazy and hectic. I always want people to feel like they can say 'I have a family in New York City, and no matter where I've gone, no matter where I work, I can come back to NYABJ and have a home here.'"
She also announced the formation of a 50th-anniversary committee and extended an invitation to members who wish to participate in planning the upcoming celebratory events. Those interested in contributing to these preparations are encouraged to reach out directly to Sostre via email at president@nyabj.org.
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