THE ATLANTA VOICE
The gathering of thousands of Black journalists from around the country is news within itself. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention landed in Atlanta earlier this week, and though there are panels and parties to attend, there is also news to be made.
This year’s conference had a confirmed attendance of 4,302, just 62 attendees from breaking the record set in Chicago in 2024.
Day 4: Speaking to the press
The NABJ Comms team has brought individuals from all walks of professional life to speak with the credentialed journalists at the convention.
On Saturday, actress and model Nzinga Imani and local radio host Francesca Amiker spoke to the media about controlling your narrative in the TV business.
USA Today Network Beyoncé Knowles-Carter beat reporter Cache McClay spoke about earning access and owning her beat.
Day 3: Owning Black media: ‘It’s non-negotiable at this point’
Black-owned media remained at the forefront of this year’s convention. Ashley Allison, owner of The Root, made a stop by the media area, off the lobby of the Marriott Marquis Atlanta, to take questions from members of the media. Wearing an emerald green dress and the look of someone with a plate full of responsibilities as the owner of a respected media brand, Allison acknowledged she was tired, but continues to be a storyteller.
Asked why it was important to own the media spaces that many Black journalists and content creators work in, Allison said someone will tell stories about Black life, business, art, and health in this country, so why not Black-owned media companies?
“Ownership matters, you want to own your home, you want to own property, why can’t we own the distribution platforms so we get to make our own decisions and tell the stories on our terms,” she said. “If we own it, we can tell it the way we want to. It’s non-negotiable at this point.”
Day 2: ‘They deserve answers, they deserve justice’
On day two of the NABJ convention, the parents of Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old found dead near Horn Island in the Mississippi Gulf Coast following a boating trip with friends, took their seats behind microphones in a small conference room inside the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
Wells’ story has been trending on social media since his mysterious passing and the discovery of his body on July 6. Wells had been missing since July 4. His family, through their attorney Ben Crump, and many others involved in Civil Rights and hate crimes against Black people, have been getting the word out and giving updates. But Crump believes the story should be told even more, and he said Black journalists will have to be the people to do it.
“What happened to Nolan Wells? Somebody has to know,” said Crump. “We all have the same objective; we all want to know the truth about what happened.”
On Thursday, August 13, a press conference was scheduled to further explain the progress, or lack thereof in the case. Joining Wells’ parents, Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wells-Wonsley, were Civil Rights Activist and founder of the National Action Network, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath.
McBath, who lost her son Jordan to gun violence, said this moment brought back memories. “This brings back so many vivid memories for me and my family.
Here we are again today, here for the loss of another Black young man. They deserve answers, they deserve justice.”
The hour-long press conference allowed Wells’ parents to address the media, who they believe might have a more vested interest in their son’s case.
“As the national Black journalists of this country, you have the ability to lift this story,” said McBath. “It mattered for me, it mattered for Trayvon, it mattered for Michael Brown, it mattered for all of us.”
Wells’ birthday is Wednesday, August 19, and Crump announced that there will be a vigil held in his honor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
“Our lives have forever changed.
This new normal, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, not even my worst enemy,” said Wells-Wonsley.
“We just want the truth,” said Wells. We’re asking the questions that any other parent would ask.”
This story first appeared in the Atlanta Voice