Black Alumni Network New Columbia J-alumni board chairman ...

Black Alumni Network May 2011 Page 4
NABJ-Unity breakup/Continued
After spending more than an hour in closed-door executive session, the board voted 12-1
April 10 to leave the Unity alliance. NABJ parliamentarian Tonju Francois was the only
board member to vote against leaving the alliance.
In its statement announcing the decision, NABJ said that Unity’s business model was
―no longer is the most financially prudent for NABJ and its membership.‖ As people throughout
the journalism industry reacted to NABJ’s announcement, the organization has worked to
position itself for its 2012 convention, announcing that there are nine finalist cities.
Meanwhile, some members of the three remaining Unity organizations seemed blindsided
by the announcement as their leaders expressed continued support for the alliance
with NABJ — even if it is no longer part of Unity.
―I understand that this is a business decision, that the NABJ board members are doing what they
think is best for their organization. And I wish them well.‖ said Joanna Hernandez, Unity
president, in a statement. ―Although the NABJ board has made this decision, we will never shut
the door nor turn our backs on our friends and colleagues.‖
The writer is a student at Ohio University and a two-time Unity and NABJ student project journalist.
The Black Alumni Network of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism was founded in May 1980 and since July
the group has published a monthly newsletter. The BA Newsletter’s mission is to keep people connected. We publish job
changes and moves, news about books and films published or produced by alumni, and family milestones. And of course we
keep alumni connected to news from the Columbia GSJ. Log on to our Web site at www.jrn.columbia.edu/alumni/services/ban/
or see our link on the home page of www.blackjournalist.com Wayne J. Dawkins – editor, Betty Winston Baye, Kip Branch,
Kissette Bundy, Toni Randolph, Cheryl Devall, Dan Holly, Keith Rushing, contributing editors
E-mail tips, comments, suggestions to wdawk69643@aol.com
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