President

Khorri A. Atkinson

Khorri covers labor and employment for Bloomberg Law. His work has been published by several national media outlets including Axios, The New York Times, NBCNews.com.

Khorri, a native of Jamaica, West Indies, holds a Master’s of Arts degree in journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York with a specialization in urban reporting, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from York College/CUNY. He is also a former two-time member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) board of directors.

Vice President

Kelsey Nicole Nelson

Kelsey is an award-winning freelance journalist working with Fox Sports Radio 1340 AM/96.9 FM and Bally Sports National. In 2022, Kelsey was named a National After School Association 2022 Next Generation of After school Leaders honoree and to the University of Maryland’s Terrapin Club 30 Under 30 Class of 2022. She’s also been named to the WKYS Top 30 Under 30 Class. Kelsey serves on the Regional Advisory Council for Tickets for Kids, is founder and president of Books Breaking Borders and is the mentorship committee co-chair for the NABJ Sports Task Force. She previously worked as an instructor at Doral College and capstone advisor at Georgetown University.

Digital Secretary

Kenrick Thomas

Kenrick Thomas is a senior assistant vice president and senior communications consultant at Wells Fargo Bank and has nearly 10 years of combined experience in strategic marketing, public-facing outreach and media relations. He focuses on creating content with a journalistic style that captures stories, elevates brand affinity and increases engagement.

Kenrick, a former radio journalist, is a five-time Associated Press award-winning reporter for an NPR affiliate in Florida. After making the switch from journalism to public relations, he served as the director of communications for the United Way of St. Lucie County, communications manager for Bread for the City, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., and director of communications at the University of the District of Columbia.

Executive Secretary

Candace Y.A. Montague

Candace is an award-winning online and print freelance journalist who has over 12 years of experience covering health, gender equality and social justice issues for several local and national publications. She is a native Washingtonian and a proud alumna of Lincoln University (PA) and Trinity University (DC).

In 2019, she received the Sigma Delta Chi Award for Excellence in Journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2020, she was a recipient of an NABJ Salute to Excellence National Media Award for a feature story. She was also a finalist for the 2021 Dateline Award for Excellence In Local Journalism in the Washington DC Pro Chapter journalism competition.

Board Member-At-Large

Yolanda McCutchen

Yolanda is the director of public relations at the D.C. Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA). Prior to joining DCHFA, she worked as a communications consultant, an assistant professor at Howard University and an Instructor at Claflin University.

Yolanda’s career began as a journalist at NBC News. Her journalistic work has been honored with an Edward R. Murrow award. Her PR work has garnered two NABJ Salute to Excellence Awards and two Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals MarCom awards.

Yolanda holds a B.A. in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and an M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University.

Board Member-at-Large

Cheyanne M. Daniels

Cheyanne M. Daniels is the Race and Politics reporter for The Hill. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Cheyanne reports on politics and policies affecting disenfranchised and minority communities. Prior to her time at The Hill, she worked for the Chicago Sun-Times, covering the city’s South and West sides. Cheyanne’s work has also been published in the Wisconsin State Journal, theGrio, UPI and South Side Weekly. In her free time, Cheyanne is an avid book reader and horseback rider. Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, Cheyanne now lives in Washington, D.C.

Board Member-At-Large

Jai-Leen James

Jai-Leen James is an SEO Analyst at CNN. There, she collaborates with digital editorial teams on audience development and user experience. Jai-Leen joined WABJ as a member in 2022 when she moved to Washington D.C. to join The Washington Post and has been a member of NABJ since 2018. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and New Media at Towson University and a graduate degree in Digital Marketing Communications at West Virginia University. Jai-Leen is a Libra from New Jersey and the proud daughter of even prouder Jamaican immigrants. She is passionate about early career development and is excited to amplify WABJ’s student outreach efforts.

Treasurer

Javier Lewis

Javier Lewis is a strategic communications and public affairs professional with over 5 years of experience driving high-impact campaigns and shaping narratives for major corporations, coalitions, and the U.S. military. He is a talented storyteller skilled in developing integrated communication strategies, crafting compelling messaging, and amplifying organizational reputation across earned, owned, and paid channels. Currently serving as a Director at FTI Strategic Communications, Javier oversees public affairs campaigns and communications initiatives for clients in the energy and natural resources sector.