National Association of Black Journalists
Region 2
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

Exciting convention in Dallas

From former Regional Director Sarah Glover

The Dallas convention was exciting, journalistically relevant, full of fellowship and newsworthy. The convention drew more than 2,600 attendees, 1,000 more than expected. The 28th annual convention was a huge organizational success.

The membership elected Newsday reporter Herbert Lowe as the 15th president. Journalists from Region II were elected to serve on the 19-member board: Sarah Glover, Philadelphia Inquirer, secretary; Melanie Burney, Philadelphia Inquirer, parliamentarian, and Rachelle Dickerson Christie, Star-Ledger (Newark), Region II director. For more election details, visit www.nabjconvention.org. For photos from the convention, click here.

Former New York Times Managing Editor Gerald Boyd spoke publicly for the first time since resigning in the spring. Boyd moved convention-goers with his sincerity. He mentioned his future ambitions, which include teaching, editing, and/or management. You can read about Boyd in Dallas at http://www.nabjconvention.org/fri/index.html.

Region II chapter presidents in attendance at the convention included
Rod Watson/BABJ, Rachelle Christie/GSABJ, Denise Clay/PABJ, Errol
Cockfield/NYABJ. Members and students from the region were represented, including from the chapter cities, upstate N.Y., central Pennsylvania and
central Jersey. Region II was visible and participatory.

Frank E. Bolden, 90, retired journalist from Pittsburgh, was honored as NABJ's Legacy Award Recipient. Glover accepted the award on his behalf. Cockfield was chosen chairman of the Council of Presidents. He will represent the organization's professional chapters and serve as a link between them and the national board.

The Penn State Association of Journalists for Diversity was nominated by Glover for Student Chapter of the Year. The honor went to the University of North Texas.

The NYABJ was nominated by Glover and Cockfield for the NABJ Chapter of the Year Award. The honor went to the San Diego Association of Black Journalists.

Upcoming: Make plans to attend the UNITY Convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 4-8, 2004, sponsored by NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA and NAJA to promote unity among journalists of color. For more information, go to www.unityjournalists.org.