November 17, 2023 • 10 mins
I speak to Michael Days, President and Melanie Burney Vice President of the newly formed NABJ Philadelphia who talk about the organizations plans for the future. The NABJ Inaugural Meeting will take place Wednesday 12-6 at the Philadelphia Inquirer 100 S. Independence Mall West Suite 600 Philadelphia 19106. RSVP nabjphilly@gmail.com
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Good morning, Welcome to Insight,a show about empowering our community. I'm
Lorraine Balladmorrow. Today we talk abouta community hero working to help parents of
premature babies, remind folks of thenine to eight eight hotline for mental health
emergencies, and the importance of supportingemployee mental wellness. But first, the
National Association of Black Journalists has approvedNABJ Philadelphia as an affiliate chapter, making
(00:23):
it the only NABJ affiliate in thePhiladelphia area. We're going to be talking
with the president of this newly formedchapter of the NABJ, Michael Days,
President and Melanie Burnie, Vice Presidentof NABJ Philadelphia. So thank you both
for joining us here today and let'ssee. Let's just go right for it.
(00:44):
Why is there a new chapter ofthe NABJ, Michael, why don't
you start? Well, I'd behappy to start. I know Melia has
a lot to say as well.We learned in the end of I guess
the middle of December of last yearthat our beloved PABJ was declaring its independence
from the National Association of Black Journalists. And you know reality is that could
(01:07):
not be. So we began talking. I think Melian a couple others began
talking about could we accept this,could we accept the really one of the
oldest chapter, local chapter of NABJ. In fact, you know, I'll
tell you a little something. ChuckStone, I'm sure you remember a bit.
Yes, was the first president ofthe PABJ and the first president of
NABJ, So that speaks volumes.I think it all started here in Philly.
(01:32):
It all started here. I meanother people claim it, but it
really all started here. And sowe've had a lot of interactions. People
from Philadelphia had been a part ofNABJ from before the beginning, Chuck Stone,
a some more Claude Laws, alot of quite a few other folks.
So we began to pull together peoplewho have been president there's been a
(01:53):
lot of presidents since the beginning,and just begin to talk about it.
I will confess that initially, Ithink Melion I were probably the only ones
who felt like we need, weneed to create a separate chapter that's really
aligned within ADJ because that is ourhistory, that is our ancestry, that
is who we are, and theconnections. I mean, you know,
there got a dozens and dozens dozensof chapters. Now that exists across the
(02:14):
country. We pulled together people withthe presidents, people within executives within PABJ
for many, many years, andthe sense of initial sense was that let's
see if we can fix this,because you know, we're fixers, right.
So we spent months working with thecurrent PAPG executives trying to align them
with the national trying to figure outhow we're going to get to a point
(02:35):
where there could be some agreement onthings. And NAPG requires that close to
seventy percent of it of its affiliatemembers be working generals, and you know
where we are now. It doesn'ttake a lot to be a working Generals
podcast. There's all kinds of stuffthat we're doing now that nobody could have
imagined fifteen years ago. But therecould not be agreement. There was no
agreement on either side. Not onlywas it when when we agreed to move
(02:58):
ahead. I think it was inAugust that we began moving ahead and with
all deliberate speed, and then thatrequired, you know, jumping through quite
a few hoops with NABJ. Butwe got there, and we there's some
discussion now whether whether you can bepart of both. Just to be clear,
so you're at any BJ chapter,it would be accurate to say that
you're a Philadelphia affiliate of the NABJ. So Melanie, tell us what does
(03:21):
this mean exactly? So what isthe mission of this newly formed chapter of
the NABJ. Sure, we arecommitted to our basic founding principles, and
that's to advance the cause of blackjournalists, to fight for black journalists,
to fight for diversity in our newsrooms, to be in the community. Our
(03:44):
original founders were community folks. Theycame up through the community because remember,
a lot of them got their startscover black community. So we want to
reinvigorate, re establish those ties tothe community and to be a resource as
well for community folks to help getthe stories told that we tell and can
(04:06):
tell with fairness and accuracy. Right. And I think that as individuals who've
been in some iteration of this groupof people have said many, many times
how important diversity is in the newsroom. Because it is critical that people with
lived experience are also the people thatare not only writing the stories, but
(04:30):
assigning the stories. We start tohave a greater depth of coverage of issues
that affect us all but sometimes don'tget told because those people, and not
necessarily a criticism of individuals in particular. But if you don't know, you
don't know, right, and soif you do know, then you can
bring in stories that reflect the tremendousdiversity of our black and brown communities here
(04:57):
in Philadelphia. Absolutely, you knowwhat, Lorraine, I don't accept that
if you don't know, you don'tknow. You have an obligation. If
you're in this business, you mustknow, and you need to bring on
people who can help you gain thatknowledge that you need to do the job.
In a city like Philadelphia that's fiftyfive percent black, our newsrooms should
(05:21):
reflect those numbers, and they don't. My own newsroom included. I'm not
leaving the Inquirer off the hook forthis. So there's a lot of work
to be done, and that's whywe started this organization. We feel like
we need to do a recommitment tothat work. And just one other point
that Mike was making why we starteda new chapter. We felt that PABJ
(05:46):
had fallen off of its mission anddid some things that did not sit well
with us. For example, acceptinggrants from the city. A no no
for journalists to accept money from thevery people that it covers and also changing
the bylaws and taking away some ofthe rights of members. And that's a
(06:10):
little bit in the weeds, butit's important because it goes to the heart
of who we are and what wecould live with and what we couldn't live
with. So we had to breakaway. It was time. It was
absolutely time for a new chapter,a chapter where journalists everybody is welcome.
There are no conditions to our membership. We're not picking and choosing. Our
(06:33):
doors are open, and that's whatwe want to get back to, the
camaraderie. I love being a blackjournalist, but I love the fellowship as
well, and that comes through NABJ. I've been an NABJA or since nineteen
ninety one and I look forward tothat annual gathering and the fellowship in between.
(06:54):
When I go to press conferences orevents and I see NABJ folks,
it's like a family reunion. Andthat's what we want to get back to.
Yeah, that's what we want togo back to. Yeah, And
actually, I thank you for beingcorrected on the If you don't know,
you don't know, because everybody needsto know whether you are. It's really
about the world that we live inreflecting the reality of who we are and
(07:18):
who we're trying to reach. Now, Michael, back to you, what
are some of your goals going forwardas you established this new chapter. Well,
if it starts and I only hiton this quite nicely the NABJ Mett
in Birmingham, I guess it wasbeginning of August and many of our Philly
folk went up to the new presidentcan Lemon and said, what are you
(07:39):
going to do about Philly? Becausethis is not acceptable. So starting with
starting out, we have to creatego back to the sort of old school
creating environment. People can get together, let their hair down a little bit,
talk about their issues, get someadvice, share some advice, and
just really be not a club,but a community of progressive organized journalists who
(07:59):
really care for one another and wantto get stuff done. And then our
goals is to really really reconnect withthe community. I think you know what
I've been studying religiously a reason studyfrom the Pew Foundation which found that black
Republicans, black Democrats, black folksof all demographics don't feel they're being covered
accurately by the media. As youknow, Lauren, I've been this mien
(08:22):
as a long time, we've gotto be getting to make some progress here,
right And so I'm feeling like andthe executive board is feeling like we've
got to do a better job ofjust being connected. Don't mean you're always
turning up the community with your micin hand or your iPhone asking people questions.
People need to see us as people, people that they can connect with.
So one of the things I'm hopingwe can do off of the Pew
(08:43):
study is begin to figure out aseries of sessions, workshops, pulling in
all kinds of folks in the community, pulling in all kinds of journalism,
including you know, all white brothersand sisters, to just let people talk,
ask some pointed questions, just listento what people are concerned about.
The things we're definitely already committed tois taking the ace of War program,
(09:05):
which is coming up on forty yearsnow at the Inquirer, and they they've
trained nurtured high school students who thinkthey want to be going to Jeraldson.
One of the things we're going tobe asking when we meet for our first
official meeting on Wednesday, December sixth, is what do y'all care about?
What should we be doing and thenbegin to prioritize some of those things.
Melanie, if people would like toknow more about the Philadelphia Chapter of the
(09:26):
NABJ, where do they find outmore information? Well, they can find
us on social media. We areon Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
They can also send us an emailNabjphilly at gmail dot com and look for
more information coming up on our meetingon December sixth, which Mike mentioned,
(09:48):
you will need the RSVP for that. We are excited about this new chapter
and we think you will be toowhen you come and hear what we have
to offer and what you can doto make this a better organization. You
two are icons in the Philadelphia marketfor journalism. We're very excited to hear
what you have to say and whereyou're going to go and nurturing that next
(10:11):
generation of journalists. The NABJ PhiladelphiaChapter is headed up by Michael Days,
President of NABJ Philly and Melanie Bernie, Vice President of NABJ Philadelphia. Thank
you so much for joining us today. We'll have more insight after these messages
Good morning, Welcome to Insight,a show about empowering our community. I'm
Lorraine Balladmorrow. Today we talk abouta community hero working to help parents of
premature babies, remind folks of thenine to eight eight hotline for mental health
emergencies, and the importance of supportingemployee mental wellness. But first, the
National Association of Black Journalists has approvedNABJ Philadelphia as an affiliate chapter, making
(00:23):
it the only NABJ affiliate in thePhiladelphia area. We're going to be talking
with the president of this newly formedchapter of the NABJ, Michael Days,
President and Melanie Burnie, Vice Presidentof NABJ Philadelphia. So thank you both
for joining us here today and let'ssee. Let's just go right for it.
(00:44):
Why is there a new chapter ofthe NABJ, Michael, why don't
you start? Well, I'd behappy to start. I know Melia has
a lot to say as well.We learned in the end of I guess
the middle of December of last yearthat our beloved PABJ was declaring its independence
from the National Association of Black Journalists. And you know reality is that could
(01:07):
not be. So we began talking. I think Melian a couple others began
talking about could we accept this,could we accept the really one of the
oldest chapter, local chapter of NABJ. In fact, you know, I'll
tell you a little something. ChuckStone, I'm sure you remember a bit.
Yes, was the first president ofthe PABJ and the first president of
NABJ, So that speaks volumes.I think it all started here in Philly.
(01:32):
It all started here. I meanother people claim it, but it
really all started here. And sowe've had a lot of interactions. People
from Philadelphia had been a part ofNABJ from before the beginning, Chuck Stone,
a some more Claude Laws, alot of quite a few other folks.
So we began to pull together peoplewho have been president there's been a
(01:53):
lot of presidents since the beginning,and just begin to talk about it.
I will confess that initially, Ithink Melion I were probably the only ones
who felt like we need, weneed to create a separate chapter that's really
aligned within ADJ because that is ourhistory, that is our ancestry, that
is who we are, and theconnections. I mean, you know,
there got a dozens and dozens dozensof chapters. Now that exists across the
(02:14):
country. We pulled together people withthe presidents, people within executives within PABJ
for many, many years, andthe sense of initial sense was that let's
see if we can fix this,because you know, we're fixers, right.
So we spent months working with thecurrent PAPG executives trying to align them
with the national trying to figure outhow we're going to get to a point
(02:35):
where there could be some agreement onthings. And NAPG requires that close to
seventy percent of it of its affiliatemembers be working generals, and you know
where we are now. It doesn'ttake a lot to be a working Generals
podcast. There's all kinds of stuffthat we're doing now that nobody could have
imagined fifteen years ago. But therecould not be agreement. There was no
agreement on either side. Not onlywas it when when we agreed to move
(02:58):
ahead. I think it was inAugust that we began moving ahead and with
all deliberate speed, and then thatrequired, you know, jumping through quite
a few hoops with NABJ. Butwe got there, and we there's some
discussion now whether whether you can bepart of both. Just to be clear,
so you're at any BJ chapter,it would be accurate to say that
you're a Philadelphia affiliate of the NABJ. So Melanie, tell us what does
(03:21):
this mean exactly? So what isthe mission of this newly formed chapter of
the NABJ. Sure, we arecommitted to our basic founding principles, and
that's to advance the cause of blackjournalists, to fight for black journalists,
to fight for diversity in our newsrooms, to be in the community. Our
(03:44):
original founders were community folks. Theycame up through the community because remember,
a lot of them got their startscover black community. So we want to
reinvigorate, re establish those ties tothe community and to be a resource as
well for community folks to help getthe stories told that we tell and can
(04:06):
tell with fairness and accuracy. Right. And I think that as individuals who've
been in some iteration of this groupof people have said many, many times
how important diversity is in the newsroom. Because it is critical that people with
lived experience are also the people thatare not only writing the stories, but
(04:30):
assigning the stories. We start tohave a greater depth of coverage of issues
that affect us all but sometimes don'tget told because those people, and not
necessarily a criticism of individuals in particular. But if you don't know, you
don't know, right, and soif you do know, then you can
bring in stories that reflect the tremendousdiversity of our black and brown communities here
(04:57):
in Philadelphia. Absolutely, you knowwhat, Lorraine, I don't accept that
if you don't know, you don'tknow. You have an obligation. If
you're in this business, you mustknow, and you need to bring on
people who can help you gain thatknowledge that you need to do the job.
In a city like Philadelphia that's fiftyfive percent black, our newsrooms should
(05:21):
reflect those numbers, and they don't. My own newsroom included. I'm not
leaving the Inquirer off the hook forthis. So there's a lot of work
to be done, and that's whywe started this organization. We feel like
we need to do a recommitment tothat work. And just one other point
that Mike was making why we starteda new chapter. We felt that PABJ
(05:46):
had fallen off of its mission anddid some things that did not sit well
with us. For example, acceptinggrants from the city. A no no
for journalists to accept money from thevery people that it covers and also changing
the bylaws and taking away some ofthe rights of members. And that's a
(06:10):
little bit in the weeds, butit's important because it goes to the heart
of who we are and what wecould live with and what we couldn't live
with. So we had to breakaway. It was time. It was
absolutely time for a new chapter,a chapter where journalists everybody is welcome.
There are no conditions to our membership. We're not picking and choosing. Our
(06:33):
doors are open, and that's whatwe want to get back to, the
camaraderie. I love being a blackjournalist, but I love the fellowship as
well, and that comes through NABJ. I've been an NABJA or since nineteen
ninety one and I look forward tothat annual gathering and the fellowship in between.
(06:54):
When I go to press conferences orevents and I see NABJ folks,
it's like a family reunion. Andthat's what we want to get back to.
Yeah, that's what we want togo back to. Yeah, And
actually, I thank you for beingcorrected on the If you don't know,
you don't know, because everybody needsto know whether you are. It's really
about the world that we live inreflecting the reality of who we are and
(07:18):
who we're trying to reach. Now, Michael, back to you, what
are some of your goals going forwardas you established this new chapter. Well,
if it starts and I only hiton this quite nicely the NABJ Mett
in Birmingham, I guess it wasbeginning of August and many of our Philly
folk went up to the new presidentcan Lemon and said, what are you
(07:39):
going to do about Philly? Becausethis is not acceptable. So starting with
starting out, we have to creatego back to the sort of old school
creating environment. People can get together, let their hair down a little bit,
talk about their issues, get someadvice, share some advice, and
just really be not a club,but a community of progressive organized journalists who
(07:59):
really care for one another and wantto get stuff done. And then our
goals is to really really reconnect withthe community. I think you know what
I've been studying religiously a reason studyfrom the Pew Foundation which found that black
Republicans, black Democrats, black folksof all demographics don't feel they're being covered
accurately by the media. As youknow, Lauren, I've been this mien
(08:22):
as a long time, we've gotto be getting to make some progress here,
right And so I'm feeling like andthe executive board is feeling like we've
got to do a better job ofjust being connected. Don't mean you're always
turning up the community with your micin hand or your iPhone asking people questions.
People need to see us as people, people that they can connect with.
So one of the things I'm hopingwe can do off of the Pew
(08:43):
study is begin to figure out aseries of sessions, workshops, pulling in
all kinds of folks in the community, pulling in all kinds of journalism,
including you know, all white brothersand sisters, to just let people talk,
ask some pointed questions, just listento what people are concerned about.
The things we're definitely already committed tois taking the ace of War program,
(09:05):
which is coming up on forty yearsnow at the Inquirer, and they they've
trained nurtured high school students who thinkthey want to be going to Jeraldson.
One of the things we're going tobe asking when we meet for our first
official meeting on Wednesday, December sixth, is what do y'all care about?
What should we be doing and thenbegin to prioritize some of those things.
Melanie, if people would like toknow more about the Philadelphia Chapter of the
(09:26):
NABJ, where do they find outmore information? Well, they can find
us on social media. We areon Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
They can also send us an emailNabjphilly at gmail dot com and look for
more information coming up on our meetingon December sixth, which Mike mentioned,
(09:48):
you will need the RSVP for that. We are excited about this new chapter
and we think you will be toowhen you come and hear what we have
to offer and what you can doto make this a better organization. You
two are icons in the Philadelphia marketfor journalism. We're very excited to hear
what you have to say and whereyou're going to go and nurturing that next
(10:11):
generation of journalists. The NABJ PhiladelphiaChapter is headed up by Michael Days,
President of NABJ Philly and Melanie Bernie, Vice President of NABJ Philadelphia. Thank
you so much for joining us today. We'll have more insight after these messages
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