Support WABJ

Advocates for Media Diversity

Founded in 1975, the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is an organization of more than 450 journalists, journalism professors, public relations professionals and student journalists in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

about WABJ
WABJ at NABJ 2025.JM2_5750 (hi res) © Jason Miccolo Johnson(1)
WABJ_home
WABJ_home3
WABJ_home4
480960441_10162230383112460_8144049596175912488_n
481180440_10162236811432460_6791760521812840033_n

 

 

WABJ Special Honors Gala

 

Tickets are on sale now for WABJ’s 4th Annual Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, November 8 at the Embassy of France. The event will commemorate our chapter’s 50th anniversary. We will also celebrate local Black journalists, communications professionals and students for their career achievements, leadership and community service. 

Tables and sponsor packages are still available. Please email info@wabjdc.org for inquiries.

We hope to see you there!

About WABJ

Supporting Black media Professionals in the DC Metro Area

WABJ provides members ongoing professional education opportunities and advocates for greater diversification of the profession.

  • For Media Professionals
  • For Students
  • For Organizations
Read President's Message

 

NABJ Region I Conference

WABJ was honored to serve as the host chapter for our first Region I Conference since 2019.

With nearly 200 attendees traveling from New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and other states in Region I, the conference was a massive success!

This conference would not have been possible without our amazing committee members, volunteers, sponsors and recruiters — THANK YOU!

WABJ News & Updates
Announcements

WABJ and BAMFI Release Groundbreaking Media Guide for Reporting on Missing Persons

(Hyattsville, MD) – The Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI), in partnership with the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), today announced the release of The Media Guide for Reporting on Missing Persons, a comprehensive resource designed to address long-standing disparities in media coverage of missing persons cases, especially those involving people of color. The media guide is the culmination of a year-long collaborative effort by a dedicated task force made up of media professionals nationwide. It provides actionable recommendations for newsrooms to ensure fair, consistent, and equitable reporting practices

Read More »
Sessions

The Legacy Blueprint: Building Wealth with Purpose in Uncertain Times

RSVP here to attend WABJ’s financial management workshop with Northwestern Mutual. The Legacy Blueprint: Building Wealth with Purpose in Uncertain Times by John Thompson III Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual – Washington, D.C. During our first Financial Workshop at our Northwestern Mutual network office last year, I had the privilege of getting to know many WABJ members and understanding what makes each of you so special. Simply put, you understand the power of storytelling. Your work often uncovers the resilience, community strength, and transformation of communities throughout the DMV and beyond.

Read More »
2025

WABJ Joins Coalition Urging National Guard To Protect Press Freedom In Washington

The Washington Association of Black Journalists, alongside a coalition of press freedom organizations and journalism groups, has signed onto a letter led by Reporters Without Borders, advocating for press freedom and urging journalists’ safety amid the National Guard’s current deployment in Washington, D.C. “The Washington Association of Black Journalists has joined several press freedom groups in urging the National Guard to respect press freedom and not to interfere with the constitutional rights of journalists as they go out into D.C. to inform the public,” said WABJ President Phil Lewis. The

Read More »