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January 22, 2022

2021 was a slight repeat of 2020 filled with multiple variants developing in the COVID-19 global pandemic. This forced the Baltimore Association of Black Journalists to continue providing virtual programming to keep members and guests ready for the work from home demands, while also addressing the hostile climate in the world around us as Black journalists.

Here’s a look at the “BABJ 2021 Year In Review.”

 

BABJ 2021 by the Numbers

  • 25 guest speakers and panelists in 2021. 
  • 7 Meetings with professional development or education.
  • 1 Social event
  • 1 Planning meeting
  • 1 Membership Drive
  • 1 #BABJPurpose charity fundraiser

 

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2021 BABJ State of the Union 

Saturday January 23, Noon – 2p.m.

Annual planning meeting to set the course of the new year.

 

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After Effects Tips and Tricks

Thursday February 18,  7p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) teamed up with the NABJ Visual Task Force on February 18, 2021 for a mini-meeting event focusing on Adobe After Effects. The panelists described best practices, tips and tricks to making eye catching videos. They offered ample breakdowns of hot to approach projects. The video animation experts also discussed career opportunities available to journalists interested in mastering After Effects.  

PANELISTS

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Covering Baltimore Crime RESPONSIBLY 

Saturday Feb  27, Noon – 2p.m.

Homicide, gangs, narcotics, and more are parts of Baltimore crime. But more importantly are the people that crime impacts. BABJ is committed to calling for responsible reporting as journalists cover crime in Baltimore. Our panel discussed the issues, obstacles and possible solutions to covering crime in Baltimore RESPONSIBLY.

PANELISTS

  • Phillip Jackson, Baltimore Sun Criminal Justice Reporter 
  • Lisa Snowden McCray, Baltimore Beat Editor
  • Barry Simms, WBAL-TV I-Team Reporter
  • T.J. Smith, Former Public Information Officer for Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County Police Departments

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Repurposing Your Journalism Skills 

Saturday March 27, Noon – 2p.m.

Is there life beyond the newsroom? Maybe there’s another way to use your journalism skills beyond traditional news. The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists explored various options for journalists looking to repurpose their skills.   

PANELISTS:

  • Crystal I. Berger, Commentator and Founder of EBO
  • Tanya Hutchins, Host of “Life After TV News”
  • Marcus J. Moore,  Book Author
  • Jazmine Steele, Deputy Communications Director 

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2021 Membership Drive

The BABJ 2021 Membership Drive from January to April 2021. Thanks to BABJ Membership Chair David Steel’s leadership we also hosted a competition to recognize the BABJ member that required the most people to join our organization.

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Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces for Journalists and Media Related Professionals

April 24, Noon – 2p.m.

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) hosted its April 24, 2021 general meeting with a panel on live conferencing audio apps. Audio apps are where it’s at when it comes to cultivating online conversations. BABJ invited social media experts to discuss the ways to optimize the Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces apps to compliment a social media strategy. More than 20 participants signed on for the two hour discussion on audio apps. The panelists included:

The discussion covered: selecting the best audio app for your discussion; ways to promote upcoming discussions and the pros/cons of using apps. The experts also weighed in on; the importance of audience engagement; how to deal with trolls and disruptions; and best practices when transitioning listeners/guests to subscribers and followers of your media organizations. 

 

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BABJ Participates in Inaugural Baltimore Black Artist Fair

May 2, 2021

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists participated in the inaugural Black Artist Fair. The Pennsylvania Avenue Black Arts & Entertainment District hosted this three-day virtual event April 30th through May 2nd, 2021.  

WBAL-TV’s  Director of Programming & Public Affairs Jerome Chester served as the resident media expert during the May 1st panel entitled, “Gaining Access: Museums, Publishing and More.” This meaningful discussion with curators, publishers, creators, and artists focused on best practices and strategies for Black creatives to gain access to creative spaces, bookshelves, news coverage and more. The experts highlighted the importance of creating more Black-owned spaces to highlight the artistic brilliance within the Black Community.

Jerome Chester is an accomplished TV news producer, turned news manager. As WBAL-TV’s Programming & Public Affairs Director, Chester is in a unique position that allows him to share more of the great things, people and events of Baltimore with the general public beyond traditional newscasts. This proud Baltimore native works tirelessly to promote positive images and the talents within our community. Chester functions as a dual presence since he knows what gets coverage in a traditional newscast, but he also has the ability to offer a greater spotlight for longer interviews to showcase the arts.  

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2021 – #InspireBlackMen Focuses on Being a Black Man in Media

June 12, Noon – 2p.m.

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) hosted its 5th annual Black Male Media Project June 12, 2021 via Zoom meeting. The National Association of Black Journalists #InspireBlackMen initiative aims to inspire, support and develop training and mentorship opportunities for Black men working in journalism and media and those that aspire to.

This year’s BABJ Black Male Media Project centered on the impact of being a Black man in an American newsroom and/or media company. BABJ hosted a panel to discuss the state of Black men working in journalism and media-related professions. At a time when #BlackLivesMatter slayings are part of daily news coverage, this discussion centered on how are Black men coping and dealing with coverage. 

Nearly 20 guests attended the BABJ virtual educational and healing event. The panelists included:

PANELISTS:

 

BABJ’s 2021 Black Male Media Project was organized, produced and promoted by:

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Photojournalism in a Pandemic

September 25, Noon – 2p.m.

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) returned from summer hiatus with a September 25, 2021 meeting focusing on visual storytelling. The “Photojournalism in a Pandemic” panel featured four local veteran journalists sharing their experiences over the years, while explaining how the pandemic has changed their careers forever.  

More than 10 people attended the fireside chat discussion. The panelists included: 

Baltimore and Washington D.C. photography and videography professionals shared their passion for the art of visual storytelling. The panel also explored their heroic stories from working in the field before and during the global pandemic. 

The meeting concluded with a candid and lively  “Ask Me Anything” questions and answers session.

 

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Newsroom Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accountability

November 20, Noon – 2p.m.

American newsrooms must be proactive to ensure coverage accurately and responsibly reflects the communities we cover. This means taking a bold accountability stance in the name of newsroom diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The Baltimore Sun’s Diversity Committee teamed up with the Baltimore Association of Black Journalists to invite the fellow Maryland journalism orgs to discuss best practices for covering diverse communities with accountability.  Baltimore Sun’s Diversity Committee Chair John-John Williams IV led the thoughtful discussion. The Sun’s Diversity Committee earned the 2019 Maryland | Delaware | DC Press Association’s Best Moves Award for their programming and advocacy which includes intense diversity training within the newsroom. The Sun was also the first newsroom in the nation to undergo a Maynard Institute content audit.

 

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9th Annual #BABJHoliday

December 14,  2021

The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists hosted the ninth annual #BABJHoliday social in person at Nola Seafood & Spirits in Federal Hill. #BABJHoliday is our annual “party with a purpose.” BABJ Purpose Initiative Chair Maria Morales led our efforts to help spread some holiday cheer. She spearheaded a winter weather clothing drive for Weekend Backpacks. This group provides food to vulnerable, food-insecure Baltimore City youth to facilitate academic success and improve their lives both physically and emotionally. Thanks to Morales’ leadership BABJ collected: 50 items including: 25 pairs of gloves, 20 hats, 3 scarves, 2 pairs of earmuffs.

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