Black journalists are suffering.
At a pivotal moment of social, political and organizational transition, NABJ must rise to the occasion of addressing our members’ pressing needs.
We deserve accountable leadership with an inclusive and progressive vision for our present and our future.
That’s why I’m running for NABJ VP-Digital.
Time
to
S.L.A.Y.
S
Support and invest in local chapters, task forces and the Black Press
> Fortify local chapters through financial and administrative support and training. We also need to evaluate the benefits of local chapter affiliation while continuing to address revenue-sharing concerns for partnered events with local chapters.
> Empower task force leaders to further advocate on behalf of their members and ensure relevant programming offerings at and beyond convention.
> Elevate and develop better relationships with Black-owned media outlets. The Black Press and NABJ should be our accomplices in this work. They should be valued and uplifted in the same ways we value and uplift mainstream media.
Level up the value of an NABJ membership
L
> Address members’ fear regarding the role of artificial intelligence in journalism and equip them with resources and skills that further ready them to professionally sustain in an ever-shifting industry. Our members need to be ahead of the curve, not chasing it.
> Develop new specialized trainings addressing sample topics such as artificial intelligence, funding independent journalism, emergent digital storytelling platforms, etc. We should also expand access to our management and leadership development academies and networking opportunities beyond convention with the goal of getting members hired.
> Identify partners to establish exclusive, members-only benefits such as access to digital tools and financial wellness training; mental health resources; business development support for independent journalists; software and hardware discounts; certification programs, etc.
> Embrace podcasters, content creators, social media influencers and other digital storytellers interested in adding journalistic heft to their work. Let’s play an active role in equipping them with foundational skills that center integrity and ethics. Not to mention, many journalists are now in the content creator/influencer space. We should not turn them away.
Advocate boldly, decisively & progressively
A
> Create an NABJ Accountability Index to serve as a benchmarking tool for newsroom policies and practices pertinent to Black journalists such as newsroom diversity, retention, pay equity, masthead and other leadership-level representation and the coverage of Black communities and issues.
> Commission a national study on Black journalism professionals that will provide data we should already have. The study would answer, for example, the below questions, and be used to inform and refine the organization’s advocacy efforts:
How many Black journalists are there in the U.S.?
Where do we work (geographic area and outlet type)?
How many Black journalists are on staff vs. freelance?
How many Black journalists are in leadership positions in newsrooms nationwide?
How many years does it take Black journalists to become editors, news directors and other leaders versus our counterparts?
What are the most pressing issues facing Black journalists by beat, region and experience level?
Yield meaningful results
Y
(Review my NABJ track record below)
> Develop virtual, members-only resources to support professional development at every career level. Priority areas include career planning, how to embrace emerging technologies and platforms, keys to newsroom longevity, how to pivot after being laid off and tools to support independent journalists/freelancers.
> Measure membership satisfaction to understand and address low engagement with the national organization beyond the convention.
> Address organizational culture to further actualize our commitment to the safety of all members.
My NABJ Track Record
Region IV Director
(2020-2022, 2022-2024)
Hands-on involvement investigating and addressing advocacy issues involving the New York Times, Arizona Republic and more
Spearheaded planning and execution of the 2023 Region IV Conference — the Region’s first conference in over a decade — in Phoenix, AZ at Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Created, planned and executed the NABJ Arts & Entertainment Media Institute in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University (2023, 2024), securing new sponsors and raising thousands of dollars for the organization
Supported the formal affiliation of local and student chapters in Colorado, California and Oregon among others
Assisted in the planning and production of NABJ’s first-ever virtual Regional Conference
LGBTQ+ Task Force Chair
(2017-2023)
Reinvigorated the task force as a source of networking and community for the organization’s queer and trans community
Organized and moderated convention and webinar programming to help educate members about reporting on LGBTQ+ communities and inclusive storytelling across platforms
Co-led effort to update official NABJ forms to be more inclusive
Raised tens of thousands of dollars towards Task Force and NABJ mission
Spearheaded the creation of the Monica Roberts LGBTQ+ Task Force Scholarship, a scholarship named after trailblazing journalist Monica Roberts that supports LGBTQ+ students studying or interested in pursuing careers in journalism, communications or media
Spearheaded the creation of the Thomas Morgan III LGBTQ+ Task Force Grant, a grant named after NABJ’s first openly gay president (1989-1991) whose support was integral in the founding of the Task Force as an organizational effort to affirm and support its trans and queer members.
Co-created the LGBTQ+ Task Force Visibility Awards to recognize LGBTQ+ NABJers who serve as possibility models for generations to come
Authored “The History of NABJ’s LGBTQ+ Task Force”
NABJLA President*
(2017-2019, 2019-2021)
Hands-on involvement in addressing advocacy issues involving the Los Angeles Times, KCRW, Variety and more
Raised more than $50k towards chapter mission and student scholarships
Co-founded the NABJLA Media Summit, a day-long professional development convening of students, journalists, comms professionals and other media makers that serves as a major fundraiser for the chapter’s scholarship program
NABJLA was a two-time finalist for professional chapter of the year, winning the award in 2020
Doubled chapter membership while growing chapter profile locally and nationally and expanding professional development and community building programming
Co-created NABJLA Screens, a highly-impactful fundraiser screening series supported by major Hollywood studios that also extends access to area entertainment journalists
Represented Region IV on the Circle of Presidents (inner group of chapter leaders with extra responsibilities), which made decisions on chapter grant recipients and supported training development
*I currently serve as NABJLA’s treasurer.
More about Tre’vell:
Tre’vell Anderson (they/them) is an independent journalist, editor, and podcast host and producer doing world-changing work around society and culture. A lifetime NABJ member, Tre’vell is the immediate past Region IV Director on the NABJ Board.
In addition to being a freelancer whose industry reporting and cultural criticism has graced the covers and pages of Ebony, Essence, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Time and Entertainment Weekly, Tre’vell is the Founder and Chief Imagination Officer of the social curation and media production house Slayzhon. They are also the authoress of “We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film” and co-authoress of the NAACP Image Award-winning “Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One Of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’”
Tre’vell started their career at the Los Angeles Times where their coverage of diversity in Hollywood with a focus on Black and queer film garnered industry recognition. After the Los Angeles Times, they served as the director of culture and entertainment for Out magazine before being forced into freelancing via a layoff. Tre’vell also served as editor-at-large of Xtra magazine, a Toronto-based news outlet, a role in which they primarily platformed and commissioned cultural critics of color.
Tre’vell’s work has been recognized by NABJ, the Online News Association, the Los Angeles Press Club, GLAAD, and NLGJA: The LGBTQ+ Journalists Association, among others.