By Sylvia Powers
Correspondent Texas
Metro News
As the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) celebrated its 50th anniversary, the organization also ushered in a new era of leadership.
With 57 percent of the vote, Errin Haines won the presidency in a three-person race against current president Ken Lemon and Dion Rabouin.
“I felt a sense of urgency coming into this year about the state of our profession and the state of our beloved organization—especially going into our 50th anniversary with journalists under attack and Black America under attack in general,” Haines said, explaining her decision to run to lead this prestigious organization.
Haines began her journalism career at The Atlanta Daily World, the first successful Black newspaper in the United States. Haines has worked at The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and Orlando Sentinel.In 2020, she became editor-at-large of The 19th, a nonprofit, independent newsroom focused on gender, politics, and policy.
Named in honor of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, The 19th aims to elevate underrepresented voices in the national conversation.
“I just wasn’t seeing people push back against attacks on Black journalists—attacks that are anti-democratic and not in line with who we’ve said we want to be as a country,” Haines said. “Certainly, as journalists, we are supposed to be speaking truth to power, right?”
According to Haines, that kind of bold advocacy has been lacking from NABJ and the industry at large.
“At this stage in my career—25 years as a member of NABJ, a chapter member, a national board member, and someone who has served at every level—I believe my best and highest use is to step up and lead,” she said. “I want to be the fighter and champion that NABJ needs and deserves right now.”
She emphasized returning to the fearless vision that fueled NABJ’s founding in 1975, when 44 journalists risked their careers to demand representation and fight for Black perspectives in the media.
“We need to get back to that spirit,” she urged.
For those wondering how an organization with such a rich history will connect with the next generation, Haines sees herself as that bridge.
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“This year marks my 25th NABJ convention. I joined as a student, and my time in NABJ has been shaped by our founders—people I’ve been able to speak with about why they started this organization and what it means to them,” she said. “Their wisdom has shaped my vision for what NABJ can and must be. At the same time, I’m part of the generation that must lead us into the next 50 years.”
Haines is committed to ensuring young journalists receive the same preparation and advocacy she benefited from. “How can I not work to make that possible for the next generation? They need the same innovation and support to be ready for the newsroom of the 21st century,” she said, adding that her goal is for NABJ’s training and mentorship to extend beyond the annual conference and continue year-round.
“Helping our students get their foot in the door—and encouraging them to keep going—was what kept me in this business as a college junior,” she recalled. “We must be for the next generation what NABJ has been for the past 50 years.”
While not everyone voted for Haines, members are hopeful about her leadership.
“We like things to stay the same. I liked Ken Lemon. However, I’m also excited for what could happen,” said SMU professor Valerie Roberts Evans, who had an extensive career in television. “I liked her speech at the press conference—it was promising. We’ve survived every president, whether we supported them or not. I have my fingers crossed and my heart is hopeful that everything turns out okay.”
For journalists like Joyce Philippe, an associate producer at CNN, optimism runs even deeper.
“I went to school in northern Florida (FSU) in Tallahassee. I didn’t know this organization would change my life in the way it did,” Philippe said. “With the help of NABJ, I was able to get my first newsroom jobs and mentorship that completely molded me into a better journalist.”
NABJ also helped Philippe secure scholarships to continue her education. “I’ve made lifelong friends through this organization. We all stand on the shoulders of the founders, who started NABJ when it was a struggle just to be a Black journalist.”
Looking ahead, Philippe believes the organization’s survival depends on its adaptability. “The beauty of us as a group is that we know how to fight back. We know how to grow and adapt to the times,” she said. “The workshops on artificial intelligence, on becoming a stronger writer, on building connections, or even learning how to pivot when necessary—these are the fundamentals we gain from the convention. We will take that knowledge back to our communities as we continue to be agents of change.”
In a short board meeting on Sunday, closing out the convention, Haines spoke with confidence and conviction as she shared her vision for the future.
Speaking to a packed room that included two founders and at least seven past presidents, Haines assured members that the board was already working and would immediately be reviewing contracts, policies and procedures to ensure legal and proper steps had been taken.
She also announced that the board would be terminating the organization’s current lawyer, Nat Jones, who was blasted by several members for his actions during NABJ’s annual business meeting on Saturday morning.
Haines’ victory was met with calls and well-wishes from across the country, including from several national leaders like Urban League President Marc Morial and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis.
Members are expecting to hear more and more about NABJ as Haines’ first 45 days includes attending several journalism conferences, the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, NNPA’s Leadership Awards, and an NABJ Board meeting/training.
No word yet whether she will continue to serve as VP of Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, where she is based.
Sylvia Powers is an awardwinning author, accomplished writer, gifted photographer, and nationally recognized breast cancer advocate with a deep passion for empowering others.
