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
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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

 

Urban Journalism Workshop

The 2026 application for the Urban Journalism Workshop is now live! The program has been teaching local high school students the fundamentals of journalism through interactive lectures, hands-on training, and field trips since 1986.

UJW is led by professional journalists and educators who provide mentorship and supervision to program participants. Students must attend in-person sessions from early March to late April at American University’s School of Communications, a longtime WABJ partner.

At the end of the program, students use the skills they learned to report and produce their own multimedia stories.

The program is free. We encourage all students in the DMV area interested in pursuing careers in media and appreciate our mission to consider applying regardless of their identity or background. 

Apply here!
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WABJ Special Honors Gala

 WABJ successfully hosted another sold-out Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

The gala is WABJ’s largest annual fundraiser. It supports thousands in scholarships each year for local student journalists and year-round, volunteer-led professional development programming, including the Urban Journalism Workshop for local high school students, which will be in its 40th year in 2026.

We presented awards to 10 distinguished professionals for excellence in journalism, communications, newsroom leadership and community service. 

Many thanks to our sponsors, vendors, volunteers and guests!

WABJ News & Updates
UJW

WJLA: Aspiring journalists to learn from professionals in eight-week workshop in DC

WASHINGTON (7News) — Local high school students and freshmen in college will have the chance to get a crash course in journalism, thanks to the National Association of Black Journalists. “Eight Saturdays, beginning in March, we bring in professionals to talk to them about different topics, to mentor them, and so forth. In addition to that, we take them on tours… we took them to the White House back in 2023… And at the end of the workshop, we top it off, they get to do a newscast,” said Washington Association

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2025

Support WABJ this Giving Tuesday

This Giving Tuesday, donate to stand with the Washington Association of Black Journalists as we continue our mission to support and uplift Black journalists and communications professionals throughout the DC region. Your donation will help to strengthen our programming, including career fairs, networking events, workshops, panels, and mentorship opportunities that help emerging and established media professionals thrive. Your support also fuels one of our most impactful initiatives, the Urban Journalism Workshop. Other ways to give PayPal CashApp | $wabjdc Zelle | info@wabjdc.org WABJ is also a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Thank you for

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Announcements

WABJ Announces 2025 Special Honors Award Recipients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Friday, October 10, 2025 PRESS CONTACT: Jai-Leen James info@wabjdc.org Washington Association of Black Journalists Announces 2025 Special Honors Award Recipients The 50th Anniversary Gala will celebrate ten distinguished professionals and award scholarships to local college students on November 8. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) today announced the recipients of its 2025 Special Honors Awards, recognizing excellence in journalism, communications, and community service. The honorees will be celebrated at the 4th Annual Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, November 8, under

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