Creating Opportunities for Growth and Development with Buffalo Association of Black Journalists
1999
The National Association of Black Journalists approves the Buffalo Association of Black Journalists as a Region I Chapter in July.
BABJ sponsors Common Council president's debate between James Pitts and David Franczyk at Langston Hughes Institute on August 31.
2000
BABJ brings in attorney Johnnie Cochran as keynote speaker for University at Buffalo's 24th annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration on February 16.
BABJ screens "The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords;" holds panel discussion on the importance of the black press and presents awards to The Challenger and The Criterion for their years of service to the community in a program at Langston Hughes Institute on February 24.
2001
In August, BABJ awards its first $1,000 Carl R. Allen Memorial Scholarship to Victoria J. Ferguson, a 2000 graduate of City Honors School and a journalism major at Howard university.
2002
In February, BABJ co-sponsors a forum on "African-American Muslims in America: The Untold Story" in the Buffalo Museum of Science in the wake of stereotyping of Muslim Americans following 9/11.
In September, BABJ cosponsors the forum "Race and Media," in the Buffalo Museum of Science auditorium with key news directors on a panel answering questions about how decisions are made and listening to residents voice their opinions about coverage. The forum opens the association's two-part Media Access Project, with a Saturday morning workshop on accessing the media held at the Langston Hughes Institute.
2003
In October, BABJ sponsors "Regionalism: Its Effects on the Urban Core" forum with county executive candidates Joel Giambra and Daniel Ward, regionalism advocate Kevin Guahgan and UB expert Henry Taylor.
2004
In April, BABJ cosponsors a candidate forum for Buffalo Board of Education election in Uncle Johnny's.
2005
In August, BABJ sponsors a mayoral debate featuring republican and Democratic candidates in the Central Library auditorium.
2007
In May, BABJ launches "YGB," the news and public affairs radio show produced by "Young, Gifted and Black" high school students. The hour-long show airs twice a month on WHLD. BABJ mentors meet with the students on Saturday mornings, teach them the basics of journalism, help them arrange interviews with local newsmakers as well as visiting VIPs and provides them with digital recorders to conduct their interviews. BABJ mentors then package the interviews into an hour-long show. "YGB" airs for four years, first on WHLD and then beginning in 2010 on WBNY, the SUNY Buffalo State radio station.
2009
In June, BABJ hosts "Off the Record," a happy-hour mixer in the Havana House patio bar and restaurant, 3112 Main St. It's a chance for the public to meet the area's black journalists, learn about the news-gathering process and share their concerns about issues they would like to see covered. The cost is $10, with proceeds supporting "YGB" and the nonprofit's other programs, including political debates, workshops, panel discussions and its annual $1,000 Carl R. Allen Memorial Scholarship.
In August 2009, the BABJ hosts a town hall meeting with mayoral candidate Michael P. Kearns at True Bethel Baptist Church. Kearns was questioned by BABJ members and a reporter from "YGB," as well as by audience members. Mayor Byron W. Brown had been invited, but did not commit by the deadline.
2010
In May, the BABJ hosts an "accessing the media" workshop in the 2nd Cup Restaurant and Cafe, 36 Broadway, across from the Central Library. Members of community organizations, block clubs, churches and other groups interested in learning how to get media coverage for their events received tips on writing news releases, staging news conferences and notifying media outlets in a timely manner.
In August, the BABJ co-sponsored the public forum ,"No Child Left Behind: Where is Yours?" in the JFK Community Center, 114 Hickory St. at Clinton Street. Hosted by "YGB" radio show anchors, the forum featured panelists from a variety of youth-centered organizations and tackled topics ranging from how boys in single-parent homes learn to be men, how to keep young girls from becoming teen mothers, where parents can turn for help, and who makes up "the village" that raises each child. The forum was recorded and later aired as a "YGB" program.
2011
In August, the BABJ begins a fruitful relationship with the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the SUNY Buffalo State Communications Department when it hosts a Common Council district candidates debate in the art center.
2013
In April, the BABJ sponsors a Buffalo Board of Education candidates forum in the Burchfield Penney Art Center. The debate is recorded and rebroadcast on public access TV.
In August, the BABJ hosts a lively debate between mayoral candidates Byron W. Brown, Bernard A. Tolbert and Sergio R. Garcia in The Buffalo News auditorium.
2014
In April, the BABJ cosponsors “Meet the Black Media,” a free networking event for all aspiring journalists and others pursuing careers in media, in the Bulger Communication Center at SUNY Buffalo State. The program begins with a screening of the documentary “The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords,” followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Black media professionals.
In August, the BABJ sponsors separate debates among candidates for the Buffalo area State Senate and Assembly seats in the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
2015
In August, the BABJ sponsors debates for the competitive Common Council seats in districts with large African-American populations.
2016
In January, the BABJ hosts “Buffalo’s Black Media: A Panel Discussion and Community Dialogue” in the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library. The event included a Skype appearance by Stanley Nelson, producer of the acclaimed documentary “The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords,” as well as a panel discussion on the importance of black media.
In April, the BABJ hosts a series of debates among candidates for the six district seats on the Buffalo Board of Education in the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
In August, the BABJ hosts a debate among the candidates running for Erie County district attorney in the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
In October, the BABJ hosts “Criminal Justice? and the African-American Community” in Phat Catz, 965 Kensington Ave. Former FBI Special Agent Bernard A. Tolbert and author, columnist and former Buffalo Police Officer Ted Kirkland discussed their experiences in law enforcement and answered questions. The community dialogue is held in the wake of fatal confrontations elsewhere between police and African-Americans with a goal of preventing similar incidents from happening here. The 2016 Carl R. Allen Memorial Scholarship was presented.
2017
In August 2017, the BABJ sponsors a lively debate between the three candidates for mayor running in the Democratic primary, incumbent Byron Brown, city Comptroller Mark Schroeder and County Legislator Betty Jean Grant. The event drew an overflow crowd to the Burchfield Penney Art Center and also was broadcast live by WNLO-TV Ch. 23.
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