With the changes facing the news industry – buyouts, layoffs, takeovers and consolidations – and the new opportunities ahead of us in the internet, media entrepreneurship, in print and in broadcast, we find ourselves at a powerful crossroads.

We could do nothing, stand by and allow ourselves to become victims of the circumstances. Or we can rise up, create the opportunities for training and development and take control of our own destiny, create our own future.

That’s what NABJ will do this summer in Indianapolis, with our theme “Building on Our Past….Creating Our Future.” Join us for our 31st Annual Convention & Career Fair at the Indiana Convention Center, August 16-20.

The NABJ Annual Convention and Career Fair attracts more than 3,000 attendees nationwide. It is the largest professional gathering devoted to black journalists. The 2006 convention program committee is working to ensure an agenda that enable attendees to enhance their skills, network and fellowship with kindred spirits and interact with newsmakers and executives from leading media companies and other corporations.

The convention features the nation's largest journalism career fair and many skills-based and topical workshops, plenary sessions, "super workshops on specialized topics," professional development breakfasts targeted to various journalism disciplines, an awards banquet and gospel brunch, media receptions, an exhibit area and so much more for veteran, young and future journalists.

NABJ’s convention goals include:

• Identifying and highlighting innovative programs that enhance opportunities for current and future black journalists to be hired in all areas in all newsrooms, improve their skills, advance in their careers and achieve the highest ranks of the profession.
• Facilitating systemic change industry-wide when it comes to diversity and cultural sensitivity in newsrooms, news coverage and journalism education.
• Fostering greater collaboration among journalists’ organizations and media companies.
• Continuing to provide NABJ members, exhibitors, recruiters and sponsors opportunities to network and build relationships.

If you have questions, contact program development manager Ryan Williams at 301-445-7100 Ext. 113 or ryan@nabj.org.