July 31st 2024.
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all of my decision to withdraw from the panel titled "Black Leadership and Today's Media Landscape" at the 2024 National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago tomorrow. This invitation by NABJ to presidential nominees was a great opportunity for conference attendees to hear directly from the candidates about their platforms. However, I cannot in good conscience participate in a panel where Black media organizations have not been given the chance to interview any of the candidates. It is a disheartening and insulting reflection of the challenges faced by Black media organizations in today's landscape.
As an organization, the Executive Leadership Council has always been dedicated to fostering open dialogue, promoting diversity, and supporting the advancement of Black leaders in various industries, including the media. It is with a heavy heart that we, along with all panelists and moderators, have made the joint decision to cancel our session and not attend the conference this year.
Please know that this was not an easy decision, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause to those who were looking forward to our panel. Our commitment to promoting diverse opinions and amplifying the voices of Black leaders in media remains unwavering.
I must make it clear that I strongly disagree with the decision of NABJ leadership to feature only one presidential candidate, Donald Trump, in a session that excludes Black media organizations and male journalists. It appears that this panel was created solely to cater to the presumed Republican nominee and avoid asking any tough questions that Black people want, need, and deserve answers to. This decision goes against the historic tradition of NABJ and Black media as a whole, and it is one of cowardice and folly.
I have chosen to withdraw from this session as a stand against this injustice. We must be willing to take risks and face challenges in order to move our community and our nation forward.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we navigate this situation. BLACK ENTERPRISE remains committed to promoting Black leadership and facilitating meaningful conversations. We look forward to future opportunities to engage with our community.
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