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MILWAUKEE (June 17, 2024) – The Wisconsin Black Media Association (WBMA), the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), has a new name, and it is unveiling it just in time for Juneteenth, the federal holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in America. WBMA will now be known as NABJ-Milwaukee to align more closely with its national organization.
"The Wisconsin Black Media Association has served us well since 1979, as it is recognized that we have Black journalists all across Wisconsin,” said Tannette Johnson-Elie, president of NABJ-Milwaukee. "However, NABJ has grown exponentially over the past 45 years, creating a strong brand. Our new name continues to help strengthen NABJ’s brand and impact across the country.”
NABJ-Milwaukee prides itself on some of its signature programs. Marching in the annual Juneteenth Parade has become a favorite activity to bring our members together and recognize our culture and heritage. The freedom event seemed perfect as NABJ-Milwaukee frees itself from the past and embraces its new name and exciting future. Honoring Our Own is a program that honors those who have made extraordinary accomplishments through a Legacy Award; there's also the Rising Star award, the Eric Von Community Service Award named for the late Eric Von, a veteran radio host and former member, a best practice award, and a media professional award. For Women’s History Month in March of 2024, the chapter recognized its past female presidents before its name change: Joanne Williams, Vivian King, the late Felicia Thomas-Lynn, Markasa Tucker-Harris, Liddie Collins-Siegrist and Shannon Sims.
NABJ-Milwaukee’s community forums consist of some of the city's top media professionals in print, television, radio, and digital. As part of our community engagement programming, we show the community how to access the media. Finally, NABJ-Milwaukee has a strong commitment to youth and has provided thousands of dollars in student scholarships, hosted several journalism workshops for high school students and created the Black Male Media Project, a program introducing young males to different aspects of media while exchanging ideas.
About NABJ-Milwaukee
NABJ-Milwaukee is a non-profit chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. Originally founded in 1979 as the Wisconsin Black Media Association, it is a professional development organization aimed at enhancing access to the field of communications for students and professionals of color so that the media better reflect the multiracial community they cover. NABJ-Milwaukee also wants to use its communications skills to assist the Black community where appropriate. For more information about NABJ-Milwaukee, visit the NABJ-Milwaukee website or follow us at NABJ-Milwaukee on Facebook or NABJ-Milwaukee on IG.
For inquiries, email NABJMilwaukee@gmail.com.
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