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By Vince Robinson
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) marked its 50th anniversary with its annual convention and career fair, held Aug. 6-10 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Founded in 1975, NABJ advocates for the needs of African Americans in broadcasting and print media.
The four-day gathering drew journalists from across the country for workshops, panel discussions, business meetings, networking events, entertainment, and curated off-site activities designed to give visitors an up-close look at Cleveland.
Host Role & Opening Night
The Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists (GCLEABJ) proudly hosted the national convention, spending several months planning events, raising funds, and coordinating programming to create a memorable experience for attendees. Opening night at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame featured welcome remarks from NABJ President Ken Lemon and Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, introduced by GCLEABJ President Rhonda Crowder, officially kicking off the week’s festivities.
Off-Site Events & Tours
In addition to the museum kickoff, attendees enjoyed a guided bus tour highlighting Cleveland’s rich African American history and culture. Stops included the Rid-All Green Partnership, Cozad-Bates House, Cleveland History Center, Baseball Heritage Museum, Chateau Hough, African American Cultural Garden, Cleveland Civil Rights Trail, and Chocolate Cities Cleveland.
GCLEABJ Mission & Background
As an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, the Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists (GCLEABJ) works to serve and strengthen the community by honestly reflecting the past, accurately reporting the present, and providing opportunities, fellowship, and professional support for journalists of color.
The chapter was named Co-Chapter of the Year in 2016 and later secured the successful bid to host the 2025 NABJ National Convention. GCLEABJ’s membership includes professionals from print, radio, television, digital media, communications, and public relations throughout the Greater Cleveland area.
Convention Closing & Looking Ahead
The convention concluded with a sold-out gospel brunch, offering a celebratory close to the week’s events, followed by an NABJ Board of Directors meeting. With Cleveland’s successful hosting now in the books, preparations shift toward the 2026 NABJ National Convention in Atlanta, where members will continue advancing the organization’s mission and fostering the next generation of Black journalists.
This article has been professionally enhanced using AI editing tools under the TCO Editorial Style Guide. AI support was used to improve clarity, AP Style compliance, and reader engagement while preserving the author’s voice and narrative integrity. All factual details remain the responsibility of the original author and TCO’s editorial review team.
