Saturday marks a big day for Black journalists in DFW as multiple events will showcase and celebrate the impact of these journalists in the metroplex and beyond. Starting close to home, Jill Darden of Fort Worth Black News celebrates 25 years of publication with a celebration and festival at the Forest Hill Civic Center. Darden has covered many important events in the city and has provided coverage of events and stories often skipped over by major publications and mainstream media outlets. Darden is one of the few remaining print publications in Fort Worth and copies of each month’s issue can be found at local churches and small businesses.
Six veteran journalists share their experiences, then and now, about the adversities and victories that helped to shape the messages and images about the life, culture and experience in Dallas and Black American Media.
At the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, six Black journalists will come together to discuss their presence in mainstream media, the effects of their presence and the challenges that yet remain. Longtime writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Bob Ray Sanders will be joined by media veterans Nada Ruddock (NBC/KXAS), Steve Pickett (KTVT), Cheryl Smith (Texas Metro News, NABJ, SPJ), Norma Adams-Wade (Dallas Morning News, NABJ co-founder) and Demond Fernandez (WFAA) for a roundtable talk about the current state of black media with a look back at the past.
Actively involved in the community and philanthropic efforts, Kayla is always looking for ways to give back. She is currently a board member of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of March of Dimes and That Girl is SMART Youth Mentoring Program, a member of the Public Relations Society of America, National Association of Black Journalists, the fundraising chairperson for Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists, and a charter member of the Chi Zeta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
One of the primary rules of journalism is for journalists to not become the story. When a successful journalist or PR professional is exceptional, their story or client remains in the forefront beyond the cycle of the story and Kayla Tucker Adams’ clients enjoy the notoriety certain few enjoy due to her steadfastness, diligence and professionalism in storytelling. Public relations expert Kayla Tucker Adams has been named Woman of the Year by the Greater North Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club (GNDBPWC). Adams will be recognized at the club’s upcoming founders’ day and scholarship awards program, taking place virtually on Saturday, May 14. This year’s theme is “Black Women in Technology: Promoting Opportunities to Shine.”
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is mourning the loss of veteran New Orleans journalist and WVUE FOX 8 News anchor Nancy Parker. Beloved by her community, Parker, 53, served as an anchor on daily newscasts at FOX 8 for more than 20 years. She passed in a small plane crash while working on a story in New Orleans East on Friday afternoon. The plane’s pilot also passed.
“NABJ sends heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Nancy Parker,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “Nancy was an important voice for the community and was dedicated to the craft of journalism. She was passionate about telling impactful stories, and we extend open arms of support to those who knew and loved her.” A native of Opelika, Alabama, Parker received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She had been a resident of New Orleans since 1996 and was a loving wife and mother of three children.
“Tonight, I spoke with journalists in tears. They managed to tell me how Nancy Parker welcomed them and mentored them with a mother’s love,” said Ken Lemon, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast. “Nancy Parker’s enthusiasm for storytelling was evident in her work. Today was no different. She was looking forward to sharing a story that would help to promote the importance of a drug-free lifestyle. She was a journalist who knew the value of helping younger journalists excel and she displayed a nurturing spirit.”
NABJ Region III Director Rod Carter expressed the deep impact Parker’s passing has had on the regional NABJ membership.
“The entire NABJ family is heartbroken over the death of our colleague Nancy Parker,” said Carter. “We join Nancy’s family, the FOX 8 family and all of New Orleans in grieving over her tragic and untimely death. Region III and NABJ stands ready to help the family with anything they may need.”
Lance Washington, President of the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists, added: “The New Orleans community has lost a great journalist and friend. Nancy was a great storyteller and put passion in all of her stories. She was a great person, wife, mother, and friend and will be missed by all in New Orleans.”
Former New Orleans NABJ Chapter President Warren A. Bell first met Nancy Parker and her future husband Glynn Boyd nearly three decades ago while they worked as television reporters in the Baton Rouge area. “I was always struck by her competence as a reporter/storyteller combined with her grace and charm,” said Bell. “The fact that she chalked up five Emmy awards during her storied career in local TV news convinces me I was correct in that early assessment. New Orleans TV viewers and its journalistic community have suffered a great loss, as the outpourings of expressions near and far can already attest.”
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the loss of Pulitzer Prize-winning Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. Morrison, who was 88, died Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, according to her publisher, Penguin Random House. Morrison’s family, in a statement released by the publisher, said she passed “following a short illness” and surrounded by loved ones.
“NABJ is saddened to learn of the passing of literary giant Toni Morrison. Her stories have impacted generations. She perfected telling the stories of black women and black life, which resonated with people around the globe. Her authentic voice will be greatly missed,” said Sarah Glover, NABJ President. “NABJ sends our deepest condolences to the Morrison family.” Morrison’s body of work focused on African American life and culture, and she dominated an industry in which depictions of black life were often limited and rooted in stereotype.
Morrison has been awarded a number of literary distinctions, among them the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 for her masterwork, “Beloved.”A decade later, Oprah Winfrey produced and starred in a movie based on the book.
An outpouring of sympathy was expressed from NABJ leadership: “I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Morrison several years ago when she released her bestseller ‘Beloved.’ I will always appreciate her patience and kindness. We were fortunate to have had such a remarkable voice in our lives.”
—Dorothy Tucker, NABJ Vice President-Broadcast
“Toni Morrison was one of the greatest storytellers of our time, boldly chronicling the lives of people who looked like us, giving life to our experiences for mainstream consumption. My first Toni Morrison book, “Sula,” was read in a classroom, which says so much about her reach and impact. She will be missed.”
—Marlon A. Walker, NABJ Vice President-Print
“A powerful voice has been silenced but her works will live on forever. Ms. Morrison’s body of work will inspire generations of young girls who, like me, turned to her words in the quest to recognize their own voice.”
NABJ appalled by President Trump’s continued disrespect of African-American women journalists and journalists in general
President Donald Trump rejected National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) member and CNN White House reporter Abby Phillip’s question today as “stupid” on national television. Phillip asked the president if he wanted acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker to “rein in Mueller,” referring to Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating possible Russian influence in the 2016 election. Whitaker has been critical of the Mueller investigation.
NABJ members and other journalists have taken to social media expressing their frustration with the president’s continuous attacks.
“The most powerful man in the free world is verbally abusing journalists,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. “The past two years have been filled with assaults on the media and Donald Trump’s comments this week have reached an all-time low with attacks on three black female journalists. His dismissive comments toward journalists April Ryan, Abby Phillip and Yamiche Alcindor are appalling, irresponsible, and should be denounced.” Trump responded to Phillip, a former Washington Post reporter and Harvard graduate, “What a stupid question. What a stupid question that is. But I watch you a lot. You ask a lot of stupid questions.”
The president also used demeaning and insulting language about American Urban Radio Network’s April Ryan, calling her “nasty” and a “loser.” He further scolded her, telling her to “sit down” several times during Wednesday’s news conference at the White House.
During that same news conference, Trump was also dismissive of Yamiche Alcindor of PBS Newshour. She asked if the president’s rhetoric was encouraging white nationalists. The president responded, “That is such a racist question.”
The NABJ is calling on the president to stop his verbal assault on black women journalists and all journalists, and to provide truthful answers instead of insults.
Read NABJ’s statement calling for Jim Acosta’s White House press credentials to be restored here.
NABJ President Sarah Glover is among the journalists participating in “The Power Shift Summit” today at the Newseum. Numerous NABJ members will also be in attendance including NABJ Founder Joe Davidson, Former President Vanessa Williams, Executive Director Sharon Toomer and Vox Editor in Chief Lauren Williams. Members of the media will discuss “Me Too,” sexual harassment and discrimination in the journalism industry. The summit seeks to present solutions. The livestream starts at 10 a.m. EDT. Watch here. Join the conversation on social media using #PowerShiftSummit.
NABJ takes a clear stand. Harassment and discrimination practices must end in the media. Discriminatory practices, racism, sexism, misogyny and objectification are all prevalent forces, even in arenas considered liberal. Harassment and discrimination are not just issues impacting white women. As a workplace environment, newsrooms are already challenging for women and journalists of color. When the environment is further poisoned by hostility, human degradation and bullying, the environment is all the more challenging.
“The recent exposure of sexual assault and harassment in the entertainment, media and journalism industry, has often left out the untold stories of black and brown women and other women of color whose careers are also disrupted or derailed because of hostile and unsafe environments not always driven by sexual offenses but also rooted in discrimination,” said President Glover. “NABJ is concerned about and advocates for diversity and inclusion, power sharing and power inclusion. Black women and women of color must be at the table as we move toward an inclusive power shift.”
The high-level gathering of invited leaders across journalism and the media industry that will focus on sexual misconduct in newsrooms and how to create meaningful and sustainable change.
Beginning at 10 a.m. ET, the summit features three major discussions that will engage participants in solutions-based conversation about what newsrooms and media organizations are doing now to deal with emerging cases, and what systemic changes are needed for the future. Journalists who reported stories about sexual misconduct will discuss the impact of their coverage during the summit.
The invitation-only summit will be organized as a series of discussions featuring respected conversation leaders from all media platforms. Jill Geisler, who is Loyola University Chicago’s Bill Plante Chair in Leadership and Media Integrity, will lead the conversations.
Participants include:
Amy Brittain, investigative reporter, The Washington Post
Carrie Budoff Brown, editor, POLITICO
Alfredo Carbajal, managing editor of Al Día at The Dallas Morning News and president, American Society of News Editors
Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, SVP/News Administration, CBS News
Paul Farhi, media reporter, The Washington Post
Jill Geisler, Loyola University Chicago’s Bill Plante Chair in Leadership and Media Integrity
Sarah Glover, president, National Association of Black Journalists
Joanne Lipman, former editor in chief of USA TODAY and author of “That’s What She Said: What Men Need to Know (and Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together”
Loren Mayor, chief operating officer, NPR
Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director, International Women’s Media Foundation
Carolyn Ryan, assistant managing editor, The New York Times
Lara Setrakian, CEO of News Deeply and cofounder of Press Forward
