Philadelphia Association Of Black Journalists

The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 by Black journalists concerned about the lack of Black journalists in the media and the dearth of coverage of the Black community. It is the first and oldest association of Black journalists in the United States. PABJ is an alliance of all types of Black media entrepreneurs in the Philadelphia area, including public relations and other media-related professions. PABJ is the founding chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

The organization's current president is Ernest Owens, and other executive board members include Benét Wilson (Vice President of Print), Charlene Horne (Vice President of Broadcast), Camari Ellis (Treasurer), Afea Tucker (Secretary), Tauhid Chappell (Parliamentarian), and Manuel McDonnell Smith (Immediate Past President).

History

In Philadelphia in 1973, legendary Black reporter Acel Moore of ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' met with ''The Philadelphia Daily News''’ Chuck Stone and ''The Evening Bulletins Claude Lewis to rally local Black journalists and create an organization that would advocate for fair treatment, equity and accurate representation within their newsrooms. That organization, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, would become the first association of Black journalists in the country, and the founding organization of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Founders

*Donald Camp
* Acel Moore (1940–2016)
* Reggie Bryant (1941–2010)
* Claude Lewis (1934–2017)
* Chuck Stone (1924–2014)
* Mal Johnson (1922–2007)
* Francine Cheeks
* Greg Morrison
* Elmer Smith
* Sam Pressley
* Sandra D. Long

Committees and Task Forces

The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists boasts several committees and task forces that not only uphold the dogged tenets of community-first and community-oriented reporting, but give a nod to the ever-changing dynamics and evolution of the media industry.

* Public Relations Council, Current Chair: ''Afea Tucker''
* Media Monitoring Committee, Current Chair: ''Aaron Eaton''
* Bylaws Committee, Current Chair, ''Tauhid Chappell''
* Membership Committee, Current Co-Chairs: ''Manuel McDonnell Smith & Teresa Spencer''
* Scholarship Committee, Current Chair: ''Charlene Horne''
* Awards Committee, Current Chair: ''Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown''
* Advocacy Task Force, Current Chair: ''Benét Wilson''
* Associate Member Committee, Current Chair: ''Sharron Cooks''
* Entrepreneurship Task Force, Current Chair: ''Camari Ellis''

Presidents

* Ernest Owens (2021–Present)
* Manuel McDonnell Smith (2018–2020)
* Melony Roy (2016–2018)
* Cherri Gregg (2014–2016)
* Johann Calhoun (2012–2014)
* Sarah Glover (2008–2012)**
* Monique Oliver (2006–2008)
* Keith Herbert (2004–2006)
* Denise Clay-Murray (2002–2004)
* Sherry Howard (2000-2002)
* Al Hunter Jr. (1998-2000)
* Roxanne Jones (1996-1998)
* Jenice Armstrong (1994-1996)
* Sheila Simmons (1992-1994)
* Vanessa Williams (1990-1992)**
* Heshimu Jaramogi (1988-1990)
* Michael Days (1986-1988)
* Will Sutton (1984-1986)**
* Brahim Ahmaddiya (1982-1984)
* Joe Davidson (1980-1982)
* Mumia Abu-Jamal (1978-1980)
* Tyree Johnson (1976-1978)
* Acel Moore (1974-1976)
* Chuck Stone (1973)**

** Presidents that would go on to later become NABJ President.

Awards

''Journalist of the Year''

2021: Bill Anderson, Cassie Owens, Raishad Hardnett

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Cherri Gregg, Mensah Dean

2018: ''No award given''

2017: Sofiya Ballin, Aundrea Cline-Thomas, Errin Haines

2016: Carron Phillips

2015: Berlinda Garnett

2014: Solomon Jones

2013: Monique Braxton, Cherri Gregg

2012: Sarah Hoye, Jericka Duncan

2011: Harry Hairston, Jesse Washington

2010: Elizabeth Wellington

2009: Arthur Fennell, Jenice Armstrong

2008: Joyce Evans, Annette John-Hall

2007: Melanie Burney

2006: Denise James, Kia Gregory

''Trailblazer Award''

2021: Terri Andrews

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Eric Nzeribe

2018: Angela P. Dodson

2017: Sara Lomax-Reese

2016: Ernest Owens

2015: ''No award given''

2014: Ed Bradley (posthumously)

2013: Pamela Thompson

2012: Phillip Dixon

2011: Lorraine Branham

2010: Harold Jackson

2009: Jack Jones (posthumously)

2008: Beverly Williams

2007: Elmer Smith, Paul Bennett

2006: Mal Johnson, Reggie Bryant

''Impact Award''

2021: ''No award given''

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Yvette Ousley

2018: Leslie Foster

2017: Sandra Clark

2016: Ceasar Aldama

2015: Anzio Williams

2014: Charlene Horne

2013: Eric Hughes

2012: Jennifer Wiggins

''Lifetime Achievement Award''

2021: Patty Jackson

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Vernon Odom

2018: Vincent Thompson III

2017: Barbara and Tyree Johnson

2016: I. Robin "Bobby" Booker

2015: Barbara Grant

2014: R. Sonny Driver

2013: Bob Perkins

2012: Fatimah Ali (posthumously)

2011: Heshimu Jaramogi

2010: Jack T. Franklin (posthumously)

2009: Lisa Thomas-Laury

2008: Vince Hill

2007: Pete Kane

2006: Malcolm Poindexter, Jr.

''Media Professional Award''

2021: ''No award given''

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Aliya Z. Khabir

2018: Evon Burton

2017: Haniyyah Sharpe-Brown

2016: Aalyah Duncan

''Community Service Award''

2021: Dr. Ala Stanford

2020: ''No award given due to pandemic''

2019: Michael Burch

2018: Lorene Cary, Glenn Ellis Sr.

2017: Lois and Oshunbumi “Bumi” Fernandez

2016: Cheryl Ann Wadington

2015: Dr. Tammy Evans-Colquitt, Kenneth Scott

2014: Earl Harvey

2013: Elleanor Jean Hendley

2012: Todd Bernstein

2011: Kenney Gamble & Leon Huff

2010: Thera Martin Connelly

2009: Loraine Ballard Morrill

2008: Michael Coard

2007: Orien Reid

References

{{Reflist

External links

PABJ homepage

Organizations based in Philadelphia
Communications and media organizations based in the United States
African-American professional organizations
Organizations established in 1973