The University of Iowa chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) placed within the top three chapters on a national level last year, despite having only 13 members.
Of their many positive and innovative elements, producing the television program “The Word” and the newspaper NURU are contributions that placed them among the best in the nation.
Brandon Campbell (B.A. 2004), the former president of NABJ, intended to expand the organization’s reach to the community with the addition of “The Word” to the public access television channel UITV. The first episode of the program was aired in spring 2003 and the response has been impressive ever since.
“It was frightening what they would put on public access,” Campbell said. “I wanted to bring access to the organization, while providing great content. The purpose of the program was to enlighten, uplift and entertain.”
Campbell graduated last May and moved to New York and eventually California to pursue his dream in television production. Since graduation, he has interned for Fox News Channel, helped produce shows for Nickelodeon, wrote and produced obituaries for celebrities in New York City and worked with other popular shows such as “The Swan,” “Clean House” and “Making the Band Part III.”
Although Campbell has graduated, he still keeps in touch with the organization through current president Jocelyn Jones, a junior from Hazel Crest, Ill.
Jones agreed that the addition of “The Word” has helped NABJ become a more successful and diverse multi-media organization.
“It’s one of The University of Iowa’s most popular shows,” Jones said. “We’re still adding a lot of new components to the show. We want to reach out to students on issues that they think are important and haven’t been dealt with on campus.”
The limited size of the organization does not limit its potential to grow, or the possibilities of new additions.
“Although the staff has always been really small, we are all really dedicated and everyone comes through when they can,” Jones said.
Campbell would like to make the show available to a national audience, as NABJ continues to expand.
“We’re still trying to grow and reach out to other colleges,” Campbell said. “People want to be a part of our vision. ‘The Word’ is only going to get better. Pretty soon it’s going to be on a network so everyone can see it.”
“The Word” is not the only reason members choose to be a part of this organization. Vanessa Shelton, the staff adviser and managing editor of NURU, feels that there are many reasons for students to get involved in NABJ.
“Many of the students did not participate in high school media, so this gives an intermediate step before working on a college media project and internship,” Shelton said. “With the connection to the national organization, the students are afforded broader opportunities for career development, internships and scholarships.”
Setting aside the professional gains, members find personal accomplishments as well.
“Many students benefit because they find a community within the organization – that of
fellow students of color along with students interested in their culture,” Shelton said. “Students also benefit from and enjoy having an outlet to voice their world view and concerns, which NURU and ‘The Word’ allow.”
Campbell also found many personal rewards while being involved with NABJ, which have become very useful during his current career.
“You find people that you can learn from and grow,” Campbell said. “You become a better leader and communicator. As president, I transferred all of this to my current career.”
Jones agreed with Campbell and feels as though a great number of members go on to lead successful journalism careers after graduation.
“NABJ brings out leadership skills and promotes people to go out and pursue opportunities,” Jones said. “This organization helps put people on the road to become successful.”
As elections for appointed positions come closer, Jones will guide and assist
the new president throughout the next
year. While new members join, older members continue to be involved, making NABJ a strong asset to the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“It’s a small group with limited resources, but their heart and soul pushed them to apply their talents above and beyond the average effort,” Shelton said.
