Three UVI Communication Majors were elected to attend the most attended convention in the history of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Miami.
Maxiene Cabo, Leandra Kent, and Nigencia James joined more than 4,000 students and practicing journalists. who came together to network and celebrate the best in media produced by and for under-represented populations.
Media genres included print, broadcast radio, and television.
Cabo expressed her excitement, “My first NABJ Convention was an unforgettable one; I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to make meaningful connections with other black journalists.”
The festival also featured interactive workshops, and a Career Fair, with more than 5000 industry representatives that included Disney, Wall Street Journal, and NYTimes.
Cabo stated, “NABJ provided helpful and inspirational workshops… It was so refreshing to be surrounded by like-minded people who look like you and who also have similar aspirations. “
“It was so refreshing to be surrounded by like-minded people who look like you and who also have similar aspirations.” -Maxiene Cabo
The convention featured Caribbean artists and filmmakers from the USVI. STT native he original filmmaker, Peter Bailey, screened his work, “The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders,” and hosted a question and answer session.
Student sponsorship to NABJ was made possible by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
“Exposure to NABJ offers an extraordinary opportunity for our students and serves as a catalyst for professional development and career options,” said Dr. Sharon Albert Honore, UVI Communication Department, Associate faculty member, and student advisor.
Honore continued, “Maxiene and Leandra were selected because of their tremendous potential in the area of communication media; They demonstrate exceptional journalistic traits.”
Cabo added, “I am so glad to be apart of this organization [NABJ], and I’m already excited to see what is in store for next years convention in Washington, DC.”
