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The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ), the nation’s first association for Black journalists, regretfully confirms the cancellation of our Philadelphia District Attorney Candidates Forum scheduled for April 24, 2025 due to a personal dispute on the sole behalf of the Democratic incumbent, District Attorney Larry Krasner.
Plans for this event had been underway for more than a year, including consultations with both campaigns as soon as they declared candidacy earlier this year. Given the immense community interest in this primary election, PABJ secured an unprecedented level of access for this event that included live broadcasting on television, radio, and digital platforms, along with a sponsored public venue in Center City thanks to a committed coalition of partners. From the start, Larry Krasner and his campaign team worked to misdirect, derail, and suppress participation in this forum, both with PABJ and our journalistic partners. In the organization’s two decades of hosting electoral candidate forums, PABJ has never had a candidate misbehave in such a blatant and unprofessional manner. For any candidate to attempt to manipulate the public’s opportunity to be informed by a fair and researched debate is tyrannical at best, undemocratic at worst. For there to no longer be a televised debate during this crucial election is a major disservice and loss to voters and marginalized communities. PABJ’s Executive Board decries this affront to our organization, our partners, and the city’s Black community. “When an elected official chooses to avoid accountability from the free press – especially media platforms curated by local Black journalists – a major red flag presents itself,” says PABJ President Ernest Owens. “Larry Krasner isn’t above the law or approach and should actually model the democratic values that his campaign claims to stand for.” PABJ remains empowered and grateful for our membership, sponsors, and partners in this now-cancelled event which includes CBS News Philadelphia, WURD Radio, Lenfest Institute for Journalism, and Museum of the American Revolution. We would also like to acknowledge Judge Pat Dugan’s campaign for their willingness to participate and for providing full transparency throughout this belabored process. PABJ remains unbowed in our commitment to continuing to produce candidate forums and other such advocacy on behalf of the Black community in the future. Signed, Ernest Owens, President Ashley Johnson, Vice President of Broadcast Monique Curry Mims, Vice President of Print Manny Smith, Vice President of Digital Tauhid Chappell, Parliamentarian Camari Ellis, Treasurer Theresa Spencer, Secretary Charlene Horne, At-Large
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Greetings PABJ,
I hope all is well. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined sending a memo like this to the membership, but in 2023 -- stranger things have happened. Over the past several months, the PABJ Executive Board has received grave concerns pertaining to a group of eight PABJ members who appear to have partaken in activity that's detrimental to the stability and civility of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. Several members throughout the year have contacted PABJ board members about conversations/meetings that these individuals have participated in that's considered bad faith actions that have exceeded their scope of as a PABJ member. Some of them are past PABJ Presidents and/or Executive Board members who are aware of the distinct role of a PABJ Board member and a PABJ member. PABJ board members speak on behalf of this organization and represent the policies and positions of PABJ. None of these individuals are currently entrusted to do such and throughout our investigation, it appears they disregarded this fact. Our investigation began in December 2022, when we were made aware of a Zoom gathering of past PABJ presidents and leaders who were in disagreement about the unforeseeable split between NABJ and PABJ. Several of them spoke with me directly and with other board members about these concerns and we made ourselves available to quell any misinformation that was spewing from NABJ leadership at that time. In early January 2023 -- before our first PABJ meeting -- I was made aware that one senior past PABJ president attempted to rally longtime members to attend the meeting in an attempt to call out our split from NABJ. That tension was deescalated after I formulated an ad-hoc committee that included several of them to participate in helping to resolve the tension between PABJ and NABJ. I created this ad-hoc committee because I was under the assumption that this was done in good faith by them to arrive at a better understanding and peace. That clearly hasn't been the case. After the ad-hoc committee failed to resolve the split between NABJ and PABJ (which the board had already predicted), one member of the group had stated that such a committee was present before I had created it on behalf of PABJ. At the time, I thought this individual was misspeaking -- but it was truly a Freudian slip -- they were already formulating a group (arguably staging a coup) that was focused more on confronting PABJ executive leadership rather than holding NABJ accountable for the misgivings they had served. This is by definition a bad faith move on their part. There was a lack of transparency, integrity, and clarity behind their collective motives -- and such wasn't articulated to the PABJ Executive Board. As if this perceived form of betrayal wasn't already made clear, new information has been given to us regarding the latest conduct of this collective overall. On August 22nd, we received correspondence from a Zoom call that was scheduled for August 24 with members of this group receiving an invite titled "NABJ May Be Coming to Town -- Let's talk!" And quite the conversation several of them had that night at 8 pm. The PABJ Executive Board was contacted about it and was astounded by the disturbing nature of the discussion about our leadership and their attempt to usurp it by trying to formulate an alternative Philadelphia chapter in alignment with NABJ. We were informed details of them planning a potential Philadelphia meeting with NABJ in October to carry out such plans, which is beyond audacious, but despicable. I'll make this clear so that it doesn't have to be repeated -- as the President of PABJ, I am disheartened and disgusted by this behavior. I have always viewed PABJ as a family in spite of some of the jealousy, paternalism, homophobia, and backstabbing I've experienced by some of those members within it. In spite of having disagreements with some of them, I never expected any of them to go to such lengths to try to undermine our current board's leadership. As a result, under executive order, their membership within PABJ was temporarily suspended until each of them individually spoke with the board about their alleged behavior and the nature of their intentions as a PABJ member in the future. We cannot have this type of alarming behavior threatening the productivity and direction of the organization. This is not a permanent ban (we're not NABJ, we are more diplomatic), but we're definitely interested an explanation about their current behavior. As of the posting of this memo, none of the eight PABJ members contacted have reached out to us -- with some of them still attempting to recruit potential members of this "NABJ Philly." Furthermore, NABJ President Ken Lemon hasn't reached out to the PABJ Executive Board as well. PABJ Executive Board members have spoken with a few members on NABJ's board who have informed us that they weren't personally aware of such activity and wasn't made aware that their board meeting would be scheduled in Philly in October. It's baffling that nearly 50 years of service and engagement for Black journalists within the Greater Philadelphia community is being attempted to be undermined by a small group of disgruntled members who either don't currently reside in Philadelphia, mostly retired, and/or not active within our membership. While it's hilarious that they think they can suddenly reinvent and replicate the nonprofit we have built from the ground up -- it's actually sad they are trying to divide Black journalists at a time when PABJ is fundraising and advocating to keep us united. Translation: No bootleg PABJ is going to rain on our parade. Knock-offs are not in vogue over here. To be more transparent -- PABJ will not be permitting current members to double-dip in forming a rival chapter to our organization simultaneously. We perceive NABJ's desire to consider forming another local organization as retaliatory and in bad faith. Those who choose to partake in this collaboration with NABJ during our time of institutional friction will not be granted or renewed a membership within PABJ. The PABJ Executive Board is more than available to have dialogue with any member about this at our upcoming members-only Tuesday meeting on September 12th at 7 pm. Respect, loyalty, and integrity are essential to maintaining our organization. We are grateful to the PABJ members who stepped up and whistleblowed this concerning behavior. A lot of the alleged dialogue, plotting, and scheming that took place during the NABJ convention and prior was the red flag that made some step up and report this behavior to us. I look forward to speaking to the membership in depth next week. This too shall pass. Take care, Ernest Owens President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists  Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) announces its Democratic Mayoral Candidates Forum at the Museum of the American Revolution (101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106) on Thursday, April 20 at 6 pm. The forum will be televised live on KYW-TV CBS Philadelphia. For over twenty years, PABJ has hosted this forum focused on issues impacting the local Black community. The eight viable mayoral candidates who have confirmed their attendance at this event are Amen Brown, Jeff Brown, Allan Domb, Derek Green, Helen Gym, Cherelle Parker, Rebecca Rhynhart, and Maria Quiñones Sánchez. “Now more than ever, the city needs to know where our 100th mayor will stand on matters impacting Black voters,” said Ernest Owens, President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. “With the incredible fiscal support of the Lenfest Institute’s Every Voice, Every Vote grant, and the remarkable partnership of the Museum of the American Revolution and KYW-TV CBS Philadelphia, this forum will allow PABJ to invite the most community members in-person and reach more of them virtually than ever before.” Candidates will participate in an evening of spirited and curated questions asked by four moderators from the local media: CBS3 News Anchor Ukee Washington, WWDB-AM Host Archbishop Mary Floyd Palmer, WURD Program & News Director Jamyra Perry, and Philadelphia Citizen Columnist Jemille Q. Duncan. Owens, who is the Editor at Large for Philadelphia Magazine, will serve as the host of the forum. Responses will be timed and candidates were notified in advance to be cordial, respectful, and civil to one another. Registration to the Forum is FREE, but required and can be found at thepabj.org via Eventbrite. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with guests being seated at 6 pm for the program to begin. Complimentary refreshments, snacks, and beverages will be provided. From 5:30 pm until the program begins, guests are invited to a free visit at the museum's groundbreaking special exhibition "Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia." Any media inquiries to cover the event should be sent to Britney Coleman, PABJ Exec Manager at [email protected]. Follow and engage in the conversation surrounding the PABJ Mayoral Forum on social media at #PABJMayoralForum and on PABJ’s social media channels at @PABJ on Twitter and @phillyabj on Instagram. ### About Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Established in 1974, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is the nation’s first association of Black journalists. Our mission is to advocate for local Black journalists and media professionals in the areas of professional development, DEI coverage, and scholarship. Our membership includes more than 300 individuals ranging from college students and full-time journalists to industry veterans and media professionals. For more information on PABJ, please visit thepabj.org. About Every Voice, Every Vote This forum is a part of Every Voice, Every Vote, a collaborative project managed by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from The Lenfest Institute, Peter and Judy Leone, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Harriet and Larry Weiss, and the Wyncote Foundation, among others. To view a full list of supporters, visit www.everyvoice-everyvote.org.  From DEI media leaders, organizations, and community advocates Join several organizations and leaders in calling on the Philadelphia Inquirer executive leadership to directly have a meeting with PABJ, AAJA Philly, NAHJ Philly, and Free Press to improve their coverage and management of diverse communities, click here.The Philadelphia Inquirer has long been considered our city’s paper of record: A media outlet that many around the city, state, nation, and world have expected to accurately reflect and consider the voices of those among us. But for more than two years, the Philadelphia Inquirer has stood for something else: negligent, irresponsible, and harmful leadership that has avoided accountability and has continued to make failed promises to the local affinity DEI organizations they’ve once agreed to work with in good faith. This is damaging to the paper’s credibility. And it is damaging to all Philadelphians, especially communities of color, who expect our city’s paper of record to consider them to cover and represent them, and their advocacy groups, fairly and equitably. It is disheartening that the Inquirer executive leadership, namely Publisher & CEO Lisa Hughes and Editor and Senior VP Gabe Escobar, would continue to avoid meeting with local DEI media organizations such as the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the the Philadelphia chapter of the Asian American Journalist Association, at a time when their newsroom continues to struggle with diversity coverage, hiring, and community outreach. While they have made some recent steps toward improvement, such progress has been inconsistent and not as promising given the lack of engagement with the aforementioned affinity group better tasked with advising and informing such efforts. MEDIA ADVOCACY GROUPS AND OUR DEI ALLIES HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND WE DEMAND THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER TAKE ACTION. Year after year, email after email, meeting request after meeting request, open letter after open letter, public call out after public call out, month after month, day after day, phone call after phone call, zoom call after zoom call, we have tried to educate you and your colleagues. We have sent emails, made calls, met with Inquirer staffers, met with Lenfest Institute board members, met with the past and current Inquirer VP of DEI, gave thumbs-down awards to raise awareness of the issue, and after more than two years of trying, we have not been able to have a follow-up meeting with Hughes and Escobar to formally discuss why our initial DEI pledges were not met. It is clear that our behind-the-scenes outreach has had zero impact. What has had an impact, however, is your consistent railroading of our local affinity group’s ability to enact real change at your publication. The Philadelphia Inquirer decided to spend more forming DEI efforts that have lacked collective input from affinity groups and the community at large. Two years ago, the publication agreed in a joint statement with the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) that they would launch a Community Advisory Council that would include input from diverse non-employees from The Philadelphia Inquirer. They have not gone through with this plan and have yet to formally inform our organization directly why they haven’t. Two years ago, the Inquirer agreed to launch a new apprenticeship program for early-career Black and brown journalists with PABJ to help create a better pipeline of diverse representation at their publication. They have also failed to act on this effort as well and have not formally informed PABJ why they haven’t decided to move forward. Two years ago, the Inquirer pledged to have continued dialogue on upcoming DEI programs and initiatives that both them and PABJ will work together to achieve. That still has clearly not been the case. In fact, since that now-neglected joint agreement – PABJ leadership has been consistently denied a meeting with the Inquirer’s senior leadership to discuss this matter. Several local DEI affinity organizations in Philadelphia have also raised similar concerns within their respective calls for accountability. This is not the way any organization of the free press should treat DEI organizations seeking answers, transparency, inclusion – and more importantly, the truth. For years, promises were made by the Inquirer to affinity groups that weren’t kept. At this critical time in our nation’s history, we cannot continue to see diverse communities be neglected by those who seek to cover us fairly and equitably. We could spend hours listing every problematic and racially initiative action that the Inquirer has done in recent memory, but we would rather organize the community at large to take action and demand better. Here are our demands for the Philadelphia Inquirer:
For those of us who truly respect the Philadelphia Inquirer’s impact for so many decades, it is appalling to see how they have continued to deflect, ignore, and avoid the constant concerns of local DEI affinity groups for so long. We won’t stand for the Inquirer’s leadership continuing to deny DEI affinity groups the opportunity to meet with them to request transparency and accountability. We demand civic discourse, representation, coverage, and equity – we demand that the Inquirer meet with these respective leaders to address these ongoing issues and honor the promises they’ve proposed on behalf of our diverse community. It’s long overdue for the Inquirer to finally address this. We can be reached at: [email protected]. If you're interested in signing this open letter, click here. Sincerely, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Philadelphia Community Access Media Free Press Ernest Owens, PABJ President Vanessa Maria Graber, National Association of Hispanic Journalist Philadelphia President Jingyao Yu, Asian American Journalism Association Philadelphia President P. Kenneth Burns, New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists President Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Philadelphia Councilmember At-Large Isaiah Thomas, Philadelphia Councilmember At-Large Donna Bullock, PA State Representative, Chair of PA Legislative Black Caucus Darisha Parker, PA State Representative Morgan Cephas, PA State Representative Charlene Horne, PABJ VP of Broadcast Jamyra Perry, PABJ VP of Print Theresa Spencer, PABJ Secretary Camari Ellis, PABJ Treasurer Manny Smith, PABJ Executive Board Member Sharron Cooks, PABJ Associate Membership Committee Chair Desmond McKinson, Director of Communication, PA Senate Craig Aaron, Co-CEO at Free Press Tauhid Chappell, Program Manager at Free Press Tim Haas, Director of Digital Product at Philadelphia Magazine Catherine Hicks, Publisher at Philadelphia Sunday SUN Erika Owens, Director of OpenNews Chris Bartlett, Executive Director of the William Way LGBT Center Britney Elayne Coleman, CEO of BE Creative Marketing Studio Tayyib Smith, Principal Smith & Roller, partner at the Growth Collective Brandon Szeker, CEO of BrandONCommunications Joe Amditis, Assistant Director of Products and Events, Center for Cooperative Media Cassandra Etienne, Center for Cooperative Media Michael O’Bryan, Founder of Humanature Dion Ringgold, CEO of Different by Choice Corporation Michael Coard, Esq., Columnist at Philadelphia Tribune, WURD96.1FM Host Abdul-Aliy A. Muhammad, Writer/Organizer Becca Austin, Philadelphia Citizen Jemille Duncan, Freelance Columnist Mary Jude Szymanski, Freelance Video Editor Keir Bradford-Grey, Attorney Lauren J. Footman, Consultant Jacquie Posey, PABJ Member Wanda Davis, PABJ Member Rhonda Gibson, PABJ Member Eric Turner, Jr., PABJ Associate Member Carol Muller, University of Pennsylvania Greetings PABJ,
We hope all is well. Since Friday's official announcement of PABJ no longer being affiliated with NABJ, there's been a misinformation campaign from some critics of the decision unlike anything we've seen before. One would think they would actually read our public statement in full and not put out blatant lies or details that lack context -- but here we are. As Black journalists and media professionals, you all have the power to inform yourselves adequately and sustainably. Before posting and/or sharing information about PABJ, ask yourself if you've gotten it confirmed from our official platforms and/or directly from our PABJ leadership. For starters, PABJ has been fully transparent and responsive to the membership's concerns around NABJ affiliation. Yes, there really was a reason for us to challenge the compliance issues raised by NABJ regarding our status as a chapter. And no, we have remained steadfast in listening to PABJ members who made it clear that they didn't authorize us to give their professional emails to any other third-party, including NABJ. During February’s General PABJ membership meeting, you all voted for the PABJ Executive Board to send a letter to NABJ’s leadership requesting an apology and more clarity regarding a defaming letter they sent to “PABJ Stakeholders” about the chapter’s leadership regarding the audit. In March, I sent an email to inform you all that after several attempts at reaching out to their leadership, they have refused to respond back to our multiple requests to meet and have denied offering any apology for their concerning behavior. We are disheartened by the misinformation that's been shared by some NABJ members who haven't reached out to PABJ leadership about our decision. As Black journalists and media professionals, such skills should be of second nature. But common sense isn't always common. For those members who haven't been staying abreast of PABJ's ongoing dialogue with NABJ, here's a brief summary. Following our March 2022 update to members, PABJ was informed by NABJ that the chapter audit didn't require membership emails. Following the NABJ Convention in the summer, and after speaking with some NABJ Board members in-person, our PABJ Exec Board made the decision to submit a chapter audit in the fall. At the time, PABJ believed that it gave NABJ everything it had asked for (financials, annual report of activities, bonding, board members being NABJ members, a membership roster of names and affiliations) -- but we were informed by a NABJ Executive Board member reviewing the audit form that it was incomplete due to us not providing the professional email addresses of all of our members. Yes, you heard this correctly -- NABJ had changed their policy over the summer. During the late summer, NABJ created a revamped Membership Committee that created new policies to enforce regarding the chapter audit. One of those new polices was that all chapters must include the professional email addresses of all of their members (including those who aren't NABJ members) in their audit. Please read the email that was sent to me on October 31st regarding how our audit application was deemed incomplete over the request for professional affiliation, which required email addresses: Good morning! PABJ's application is under review and we find that the membership roster is incomplete and missing information about the PROFESSIONAL affiliation used to join NABJ (i.e. workplace, organization, professional email address). Per the NABJ constitution: (b) The applying organization, at the time of its application for alignment with NABJ, and at the time of the annual renewal of that status, submits to NABJ a membership list showing that two-thirds of the organization’s members are eligible for NABJ status as provided in Chapter 4, Article I, Sections 2-6 of this constitution. I realize this information is delayed as I had work and other NABJ board commitments that needed my attention. I have talked with Madame President Dorothy Tucker and she agrees to give the PABJ chapter a 2 week extension from TODAY, October 31, 2022 to get this information in. Any questions, let us know. Yours in service, Sia Nyorkor Parliamentarian Chair, Membership Committee After several back and forth exchanges, I finally sent the following concerns via email to NABJ leadership on October 31st: This is pointless and tedious. The NABJ By-laws don't explicitly require chapters to give all of the professional emails of their members from their respective orgs. You all are choosing to mandate this independently. I've made it very clear that forcing us to do so in order to be compliant serves as a conflict to the membership overall. Again, you don't have to require this, for it is not explicitly in the bylaws in regards to submit such emails. You're making this a mandate that's tacted on to the audit. It can be changed, you're refusing to adjust for all respective 501(c)3s seeking affiliation. Again, some chapters might not care, but mine do. And this shouldn't be a deal breaker. Members of my chapter who aren't NABJ shouldn't have to give their professional emails to a third party organization. You're literally holding us up to be complient on this one single matter. Again, the Bylaws don't explicitly call for it. I would expect better from NABJ to be more accommodating on matters like this. I'm beginning to wonder why this is such a big deal for the national organization to have this particular detail. Again, we're willing to fairly and reasonably provide everything else. Please reconsider. Best, Ernest Owens PABJ President At that point, NABJ never reached back to me or the PABJ board and went forward with mandating this policy across the national organization. Here's an excerpt from a memo they sent to chapter leaders on November 17th: Our current governing document also states that “at the time of its application, for alignment with NABJ, and at the time of the annual renewal of that status, (chapters) submit to NABJ a membership list showing that two-thirds of the organization’s members are eligible for NABJ status." (Chapter 5; Article 1; Section 1-b) Let’s work together to strengthen our membership rosters while helping our chapters achieve compliance heading into 2023. This can be easily accomplished through the annual audit that is due December 1. During the audit process, we ask chapter presidents to submit a membership roster annually that includes local members’ media affiliation and business or professional email. A note about email submissions: For a business or professional email, [email protected], for example, is sufficient. Other examples of accepted email types:
If it's easier for you to just share your current local roster, please do so. The Membership Committee understands that many chapters have non-media members but again, only 2/3 of the local roster must be eligible for national membership. Given that PABJ was currently considered non-compliant because we refused to give NABJ all of our member's emails and they offered us no alternative -- we were at an impasse that appeared to have no end in current sight. So given that we weren't going to compromise our chapter's request not to give away such information -- the PABJ Executive Board decided not to complete the chapter audit with that requirement -- forfeiting our affiliation with NABJ altogether. To be clear, this was one of several major reasons previously discussed as to why we decided to depart -- but this was fundamentally the straw that broke the camel's back. To reduce any further rumors, gossip, and confusion on our stance. Here's a brief FAQs on this: Question: So what does this directly mean for you as a PABJ member? Answer: Nothing major. PABJ is an independent 501(c)3 that solely fundraises and supports itself outside of NABJ. PABJ has never been fiscally sponsored or co-owned by NABJ. Our organization predates NABJ's very existence. Question: Will PABJ forever not be affiliated with NABJ? Answer: Only time will tell. If the next NABJ President (who will be elected next year) decides to influence better policy on behalf of organizations like PABJ, then things could definitely change. PABJ would love to be affiliated with NABJ, but not under these current inequitable terms. Question: How long have PABJ leaders raised these issues with NABJ? Answer: For over a year, we have been in back and forth emails and communication with NABJ board leaders and staff about these concerns. PABJ leaders have previously discussed these issues during our general membership meetings. Question: What does NABJ President Dorothy Tucker mean when she says PABJ "will not receive the benefits of being affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists"? Answer: Now unaffiliated with NABJ, PABJ cannot apply for their Chapter of the Year award, we won't get the chapter affiliate discount during the NABJ convention, and we won't be eligible for their micro-grants they give out to chapters. To be honest, it's not that big of a deal to our overall operations as a nonprofit. Question: But how does this individually affect me if I'm a NABJ member? Answer: You simply won't get a chapter affiliate discount for the NABJ convention. That's it. As an individual NABJ member, you will still have all of your other privileges and benefits associated with their organization. Question: But how does this individually affect me if I'm a PABJ member? Answer: It doesn't. NABJ doesn't run anything over here at PABJ. Question: What social/cultural changes, if any, will happen from this current succession from NABJ? Answer: We will not be using any NABJ logos, wordage, and/or promoting any of their programming within our organization. But no worries, we rarely did anyway. Question: Would there be a problem if PABJ members want to be NABJ members on their own? Answer: Absolutely not. Our board members are individually NABJ members, but as for PABJ affiliation -- they have made it difficult to be associated with them as a nonprofit in good faith. Question: Last question, what can I do, if anything? Answer: Nothing much, just await the opportunity to support better NABJ members running for their board in 2023 to hopefully change this policy around. Question: Okay, final question. If the policy changes in favor of PABJ, will we apply for affiliation again? Answer: Absolutely. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to myself or the board if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Ernest Owens PABJ President Greetings PABJ,
On behalf of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Executive Board, I would like to formally notify the organization of our current affiliation with NABJ based on recent policies enforced by their current board administration. Our Executive Board has thoroughly considered all options on the table to remain in affiliation with NABJ and have come to the unfortunate conclusion that their current board's leadership is not conducive, productive, and/or accommodating to our needs as a chapter at this time. Until there is a more reputable National President that can represent our needs in good faith, alongside a board that can prioritize principle over personal politics, we have zero confidence in NABJ's current leadership team. We will not be submitting a chapter audit at this time. We will reconsider our organization's options of affiliation to their organization when a new NABJ President is elected that may best understand the concerns we have raised with them for over a year. We have weighed various options before coming to this decision, we have caucused with our executive team, chapter members, and legal consultants. NABJ's current chapter expectations are simply inequitable, unintelligent, and not sustainable for the growth of our organization that will turn 50 very soon. This recently announced NABJ chapter split is an overreach, the updated chapter audit policy is provincial, and the NABJ board's steadfast refusal to speak to our board collectively about these concerns after multiple requests over the past year is downright inexcusable and immature. Our organization has served at the pleasure of NABJ for decades. Our members have deserved better for far too long. After several attempts to discuss these issues with NABJ's leadership -- their failure to engage us shows us that they don't care about our standing within their organization. NABJ leaders have been saying the silent part the loudest for a while, and we hear them loud and clear. To reiterate why we have reached this decision, a few major things to consider: The New NABJ Audit Requests for Chapter Membership Emails Our chapter leadership and respective members feel that this current policy overreaches beyond PABJ's role in tracking memberships. For NABJ to request the email addresses of all of our chapter members to confirm their eligibility to join the organization isn't necessary or feasible. Here's why:
The New NABJ Revenue Blueprint (Chapter Splits)
A NABJ Constitutional Chapter Concern (see hyperlinked)
Overall, these issues are serious concerns that we didn't take lightly in our decision to not move forward with our audit for NABJ affiliation. As always, our executive board will always be available to discuss with NABJ leadership. I've personally spoken to several board members over the past year who have been more transparent individually with our leadership team -- but we know that not one individual outside of the National President and/or Executive Director speaks on behalf of NABJ. The PABJ Executive Board has made it clear to the leadership of NABJ's board and staffers that we hope that they consider our concerns and recommendations in good faith and act responsibly in how they leverage mandates on chapters. PABJ is one of the first chapters to help form NABJ. As NABJ celebrated their 47th birthday this week, it was disheartening to reflect on how much this organization has changed in its embrace of PABJ. Following our decision not to submit the audit based on dispute with PABJ membership emails, the chapter split blueprint, and constitutional concerns -- NABJ President Dorothy Tucker reached out to me with the following response: "Your decision not to submit a chapter audit and remain out of compliance means the Philadelphia of Black Journalists will not receive the benefits of being affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists. Furthermore, we must abide by our constitution. Chapter 5, Article 1, Section 2, (B) of the NABJ Constitution reads: The applying organization, at the time of its application for alignment with NABJ, and at the time of the annual renewal of that status, submits to NABJ a membership list showing that two-thirds of the organization’s members are eligible for NABJ status as provided in Chapter 4, Article I, Sections 2-6 of this constitution." We can respectfully agree to disagree and until the NABJ Constitution and audit requirements change, PABJ will not be affiliated with NABJ. To reduce rumors, gossip, and confusion on our stance. Here's a brief FAQs on this: Question: So what does this directly mean for you as a PABJ member? Answer: Nothing major. PABJ is an independent 501(c)3 that solely fundraises and supports itself outside of NABJ. PABJ has never been fiscally sponsored or co-owned by NABJ. Our organization predates NABJ's very existence. Question: Will PABJ forever not be affiliated with NABJ? Answer: Only time will tell. If the next NABJ President (who will be elected next year) decides to influence better policy on behalf of organizations like PABJ, then things could definitely change. PABJ would love to be affiliated with NABJ, but not under these current inequitable terms. Question: How long have PABJ leaders raised these issues with NABJ? Answer: For over a year, we have been in back and forth emails and communication with NABJ board leaders and staff about these concerns. PABJ leaders have previously discussed these issues during our general membership meetings. Question: What does NABJ President Dorothy Tucker mean when she says PABJ "will not receive the benefits of being affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists"? Answer: Now unaffiliated with NABJ, PABJ cannot apply for their Chapter of the Year award, we won't get the chapter affiliate discount during the NABJ convention, and we won't be eligible for their micro-grants they give out to chapters. To be honest, it's not that big of a deal to our overall operations as a nonprofit. Question: But how does this individually affect me if I'm a NABJ member? Answer: You simply won't get a chapter affiliate discount for the NABJ convention. That's it. As an individual NABJ member, you will still have all of your other privileges and benefits associated with their organization. Question: But how does this individually affect me if I'm a PABJ member? Answer: It doesn't. NABJ doesn't run anything over here at PABJ. Question: What social/cultural changes, if any, will happen from this current succession from NABJ? Answer: We will not be using any NABJ logos, wordage, and/or promoting any of their programming within our organization. But no worries, we rarely did anyway. Question: Would there be a problem if PABJ members want to be NABJ members on their own? Answer: Absolutely not. Our board members are individually NABJ members, but as for PABJ affiliation -- they have made it difficult to be associated with them as a nonprofit in good faith. Question: Last question, what can I do, if anything? Answer: Nothing much, just await the opportunity to support better NABJ members running for their board in 2023 to hopefully change this policy around. Question: Okay, final question. If the policy changes in favor of PABJ, will we apply for affiliation again? Answer: Absolutely. In the meantime, we look forward to steadfast change and progress in the new year. Happy PABJ Independence Day! Sincerely, Ernest Owens PABJ President Dear Ms. Hughes, Mr. Escobar and the Philadelphia Inquirer leadership:
We’re writing to you as the newly formed J.A.W.N (Journalism Accountability Watchdog Network) Coalition to further underscore our disappointment and displeasure at the ongoing failure of the Inquirer’s DEI initiatives. These failures have led to the loss of multiple journalists of color within the newsroom over the last year, and as a result there are now zero Black male reporters at the paper outside of the sports desk. This means we are missing out on important perspectives to cover critical topics like public safety, housing, education, the LGBTQIA+ community, food insecurity, poverty and Black culture within Philadelphia. We stand united in our individual and collective attempts to work with the Inquirer to address these failures and demand a meeting with you to determine our next steps in remedying this and to discuss other grievances our organizations and our communities have previously raised with you. We recognize that journalists of color have had a variety of experiences at the Inquirer. While we celebrate the few journalists of color who have had “successful” experiences with the newsroom, they should not be weaponized a) to cast a rosy spin on longstanding failures in supporting and retaining journalists of color at the Inquirer and b) to pit reporters of color against one another. This statement is intended to address the broader trends of inequity experienced and practiced in your newsroom. As PABJ President Ernest Owens stated, the association formed a partnership with the Inquirer last year to address the newsroom’s failure to fully embrace DEI principles and practices. The paper has not followed through on any of the agreed-on changes. Free Press has also demanded transformative changes within the Inquirer. The paper has neglected to communicate to Free Press or the public how it plans to become a true anti-racist institution — a shift allegedly mandated by its “Inquirer For All” initiative. NAHJ Philly and AAJA Philly joined PABJ in raising the glaring diversity issues within the Inquirer following the publication of Temple University’s landmark diversity report that noted several failures the newsroom has made in its DEI efforts around coverage, voice, content and representation within the newsroom. All three affinity groups also sent a joint letter to the Inquirer leadership two years ago that was met with silence. Some of the most disheartening revelations from Temple’s 118-page diversity report found that Inquirer stories cover Black people only 26.4% of the time (compared to 58.8% of the time for white people). Of those stories about Black people, 53% are about sports. The report at the time also revealed that only 13.6% of Inquirer staff is Black (compared to 77.3% white), with co-chairs of the audit stating that “the Inquirer tends to cover white people the most” and “white reporters tend to write about white people even more.” Now the Inquirer has zero (0%) Black male news reporters of a staff that is predominantly white covering a majority-BIPOC city. There are no Black male reporters outside of sports — none in features, none in breaking news, none in investigations, none in business, none in health, and none on the new communities desk. The time for airing our grievances and waiting for the Inquirer to make glacial-moving DEI changes has now neared its end. We demand that the powers that be at the Inquirer immediately initiate good-faith, consistent and transparent communications with J.A.W.N. We demand dedicated meetings with Lisa Hughes, Gabe Escobar, the paper’s leadership and the board of directors. If the paper fails to fulfill this demand, J.A.W.N. will initiate a public campaign against the Inquirer. As part of this campaign, we will let the public know that the paper of record has continued to fail to live up to its anti-racist PR mantra, and that its coverage continues to harm, divide and build distrust among the communities of color it so clearly needs if it plans to survive in Philadelphia. We are beyond just talking. We demand action, answers and accountability. Signed, Ernest Owens President, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Jingyao Yu President, Asian American Journalists Association, Philadelphia chapter Vanessa Maria Graber President, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Philadelphia chapter Tauhid Chappell News Voices Project Manager, Free Press PABJ NOW MANDATES THAT ALL MEMBERS MUST BE FULLY-VACCINATED IN ORDER TO ATTEND IN-PERSON EVENTS8/4/2021  Greetings PABJ!
I hope you're having a happy and healthy summer, one that is filled with love, impact, and joy. This year has been unpredictable, and yet inspirational, at the same time. As President, I've been impressed with how our members have persevered thus far -- producing incredible journalism and media/communications services, while not forgetting to prioritize Black voices and issues. As the saying goes, "self-preservation is key." In order to succeed in our efforts, we must prioritize our health and wellness: Whether that is indulging in self-care or doing everything you can to stop the spread of this still devastating virus. PABJ is taking the necessary and responsible steps in prioritizing public health and safety during the pandemic. Today, our Executive Board discussed what that looks like for our organization given the rise in COVID-19 cases spiked by the delta variant, and news of other emerging variants. The decision was clear: In order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus within our organization, we must emphasize the importance of vaccinations and ensure that our spaces/events represent that as well. Effective Immediately: All PABJ in-person meetings, events, and gatherings will require that all members and associates (including guests, partners, and service providers) attending must be fully-vaccinated, no exceptions. The mandate only exempts children under age 12, given that they are still not yet eligible to receive any of the vaccines -- but we strongly encourage they not attend such gatherings unless dire. PABJ will require proof of vaccination before entry. PABJ will also be requiring that all members have a mask with them, as we will be following and observing all city recommendations on mask wearing as well. We are following similar protocols being set by other organizations, businesses, and cites to reduce the spread. No, such a mandate does not violate HIPAA. We are are enforcing this mandate to ensure a healthier return to in-person events in the fall without any unnecessary setbacks. But essentially, this isn't about solely enforcing mandates -- but caring for the wellbeing of our members. Here's some additional information and details to note:
PABJ Executive Board appreciates all of our members, partners, associates, and service providers for your cooperation and support on this matter. Keep the faith, Ernest Owens PABJ President  Change isn’t an option, but a mandate -- something that requires swift action, not passive consideration. When evaluating the two candidates currently running for president of the National Association of Black Journalists, the decision could not have been any more clear to the PABJ Executive Board. Our chapter strongly endorses Manuel McDonnell Smith for NABJ president because his steadfast leadership, vision and ability to enact real change within the national organization is desperately needed now more than ever. It’s clear that both candidates are passionate about NABJ and our members. Both have been faithful servants to the organization, volunteering countless hours to ensure that NABJ is as strong as it can be. But passion alone isn’t enough to keep an organization relevant, innovative and transparent. Smith has demonstrated these latter qualities in his service to NABJ and PABJ, more than his opponent. And for that, NABJ members should take note of this when they cast their virtual ballot starting next week. As the immediate past president of PABJ, Smith transformed the chapter into a highly engaged nonprofit that has generated more than six figures in grant fundraising -- a rare feat for a local NABJ chapter. With more than 300 paid and active members, PABJ is the largest local chapter in NABJ. Under his leadership, Smith revamped chapter task forces and committees, helping to provide direct funding support for their specialized activities and projects. Smith’s advocacy for Black journalists dealing with diversity issues at major media companies such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, made national headlines and prompted immediate institutional reaction at Philadelphia's paper of record. He’s led an intersectional and multi-generational board that includes millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers that represent various career tracks, gender identities, LGBTQIA identities and other diverse backgrounds. His leadership helped make PABJ a finalist for the 2020 NABJ Chapter of the Year, along with other record-breaking honors and accolades. As a long-time volunteer and producer for NABJ events and convention programming, Smith has seen the national organization at its highest levels and during its most challenging times. PABJ believes that he has the relevant insight, strategic vision and inclusionary drive to modernize NABJ as the organization approaches its 50th year in service. His fiscal leadership is impeccable and his ability to speak truth to power for Black journalists is noteworthy. NABJ would be in great hands under his presidency. While we appreciate NABJ President Dorothy Tucker’s years of service to the national organization, our rationale for not endorsing her boils down to our concerns with her current leadership. Right now, NABJ is stagnant in its advocacy efforts, fundraising model, leadership development and overall support for local chapters and members. As Smith found new fundraising streams and kept morale high within his local chapter during the pandemic, Dorothy’s leadership has been less stellar in terms of membership engagement and overall advocacy. Yes, NABJ has released statements speaking out against mainstream media diversity issues -- but such tactics have been more talk and less walk from an organization that represents thousands of Black journalists. Recent concerns around the organization’s nearly $1 million fiscal surplus has left more questions than answers, as NABJ Task forces and committees continue to not be funded and convention registration fees have continued to stay the same as the year before. There have been ongoing problems and structural inequity for local chapters without 501(c)3 status trying to fundraise for themselves -- and no strong support from NABJ for those caught up in the confusion. We strongly condemn the inequitable split that was supported by the NABJ Board of Directors during President Tucker’s presidency in November 2019 that only mandates a 70 percent/30 percent split for registration fees -- and only an “up to 50% split of the profits” from their total partnerships with local chapters via regionals and other events. Host chapters and its members do the lion’s share of the work -- as volunteers -- in making regional conferences successful for both members and NABJ, so the split needs to better reflect that work. Looking at the bigger picture, PABJ is greatly concerned that NABJ is becoming more of a price-gouging enterprise that pontificates on Black journalism advocacy, rather than acting as a full-functioning non-profit that seeks to support intersectional leadership at all levels with a pipeline for sustainable growth and transparency. We believe that a Smith NABJ presidency will bring about the immediate change our national organization so desperately needs -- because we have already seen how his leadership has revolutionized PABJ, the association’s founding chapter. Starting on Monday, July 12 through Friday, Aug. 20, we are asking for NABJ members who are eligible to cast their vote in this election to support Manuel McDonnell Smith for NABJ president because we truly believe it’s the last chance to significantly reverse the stagnant state of a national organization that PABJ is the founding chapter of. We appreciate anyone who steps up to serve on the NABJ board. But it’s time for a real change -- not another two years of business as usual. In solidarity with NABJ members and chapters across the nation, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Executive Board PHILADELPHIA (April 5, 2021) – The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and Montclair State University's Center for Cooperative Media have formed a new partnership that works to expand advocacy and resources for Black journalists in New Jersey. The Center for Cooperative Media is funding complimentary, one-year PABJ memberships for professional and student journalists who reside in the state of New Jersey.
The Center for Cooperative Media works to grow and strengthen local journalism and support an informed society in New Jersey and beyond, primarily through its NJ News Commons network and national collaborative journalism program. The Center provides a wide range of professional development, coaching and networking opportunities for journalists in New Jersey as well as fellowships, grants and project support. To access the Center’s free services, sign up for its newsletter at bit.ly/joinCCMnetwork or email the Center’s director, Stefanie Murray, at [email protected] for more information or support. "This generous contribution from the Center for Cooperative Media will not only help expand our organization's impact beyond Philadelphia, but across the entire region," says Ernest Owens, PABJ President. "Our organization looks forward to welcoming more members from down the shore to the association that started it all." "The Center is providing these complimentary PABJ memberships in an effort to improve equity and diversity in the New Jersey news ecosystem," says Stefanie Murray, Director of the Center for Cooperative Media. "The Center’s ultimate goal is to ensure there are more Black reporters, editors and executives in jobs throughout the news industry." This aid is open to journalists that would like to become first-time PABJ members, have been members in the past or would like to extend their membership for another year. If you are a PABJ member who currently lives in New Jersey and/or know other Black journalists living there who would want to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Ernest Owens, PABJ President, at [email protected]. New members from New Jersey can apply online at https://www.thepabj.org/membership-application.html. |
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