- NABJ Returns to Crescent City for first time in nearly 30 Years -

(BLACK PR WIRE)--WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced that its 2012 Convention & Career Fair will be held in New Orleans, La., June 20-24, 2012.
 
After conducting a survey of NABJ's membership on important characteristics for a convention city, NABJ's Board of Directors chose New Orleans. NABJ had selected New Orleans to host its 2014 convention. The board's convention search committee reviewed proposals from other cities and decided it was more beneficial to move up the New Orleans convention to 2012.

"NABJ is excited about going to New Orleans next year. It is a fabulous city with the right mixture of a prime location, hotel price, convention space, and leisure activity to make a great convention for our members," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. "NABJ has not been to New Orleans since 1983. We look forward to our return, and partnering with a city rich in culture and tradition."

New Orleans is still rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The New Orleans Association of Black Journalists (NOABJ) has also been rebuilding since the chapter was decimated by the disaster.

It has been a struggle to get the chapter together; this is a great vote of confidence for our city. I think there are still a lot of misconceptions about what goes on in New Orleans, and this is a chance to clear that up. It is one of our goals, as NABJ, to get out the true story, and this is a chance to do that," said Nicondra Norwood, President of NOABJ and meteorologist at WVUE-TV, New Orleans' Fox-network affiliate. "And of course New Orleans knows how to put on a good time!"

This announcement comes as NABJ enters Convention Week for its 2011 Convention in Philadelphia, PA. NABJ has put together a dynamic lineup of journalists, thought-leaders, and entertainers for its 36th Annual Convention, exceeding expectations for attendance and revenue goals.

Long-time NABJ member, former NABJ board member and chapter president Warren "the Golden Voice" Bell, welcomed NABJ to New Orleans.

"I am looking forward to my organization coming to my hometown; I have very fond memories of NABJ conventions, and am excited that NABJ will return to the crescent city for the first time in a generation. Laissez les bons temps rouler!" said Bell.

The decision to select a new convention city came earlier this year when, after months of negotiations, NABJ Board of Directors voted to end its participation in the UNITY, Journalists of Color Alliance. NABJ remains committed to advocacy and diversity and aligning itself with partners that support its mission.

Additional information about the convention and full schedule can be found at www.nabj.org.

NABJ is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide.