30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
"TAKING US BACK"

From the PABJ President

On behalf of myself and the organization, I'd like to welcome you to our 30th Anniversary celebration.

I'd also like to thank the members of our 30th Anniversary reception committee - particularly Chairperson Sarah Glover, Sherry Howard and Gloria Blakely - for your efforts in making this evening possible. You did a lot in a relatively short period of time and did it well. I thank you for your work and salute your achievement.

In 1973, a group that included many of you in this room got together to create an entity that would not only serve as an advocate for Black journalists in the city of Philadelphia, but also as a way of making sure that issues germane to Philadelphia's Black community were introduced into the public discourse.

Your efforts have led to not only the creation of a national association, but also to greater awareness of the Black community and the issues we face as a people .
Your efforts have also served as a blueprint for other minority journalists to follow.

In August of next year, the National Association of Black Journalists will join with the Asian-American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Native American Journalists Association to take part in the Unity 2004 convention. Had it not been for the trail you blazed when you created PABJ 30 years ago, this event would not be taking place.

You should be proud of your accomplishment and how well it has stood the test of 30 years' time. We are proud and honored to call you our forefathers and foremothers and are more than humbled that you have graced us with your presence this evening.

My hope is that it won't be the last time we see you because, although we have done much in 30 years, there is much that needs to be done. We need your guidance, direction and the occasional reminder of what is the right path when we go astray.

Again, I thank you for making the time to be with us this evening and hope you enjoy our program.

Denise Clay
President, PABJ

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