Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson will participate in the National Association of Black Journalists Region II Conference and Media Institute on Finance in Chicago on Saturday, October 1. Johnson will contribute to a discussion on “Race Matters: Covering Conflict in our Communities” that will take place at 3:20 p.m. on Saturday at Medill-Chicago, the city campus of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Also participating in the discussion are Daniel Ash, chief marketing officer at The Chicago Community Trust; Damon Williams Jr., co-director of #letusbreathe; and James Causey, columnist for the Milwaukee Journal. Maudlyne Ihejirika, urban reporter and assistant city editor for the Chicago Sun-Times, will moderate the discussion.
During the kickoff “Breakfast Chat with John Rogers” on Saturday, conference attendees will have an opportunity to hear the intriguing story of how the Chicago native founded one of the most successful investment firms in the country and is among an elite group of African Americans who serve on the boards of the nation’s largest corporations. Rogers is chairman and CEO of Ariel Investments.
Also participating in the conference is Judge Greg Mathis, the popular reality television adjudicator, author and Detroit News columnist who will give the keynote address during Saturday’s Newsmaker Luncheon. Chicago Crusader Publisher Dorothy R. Leavell will present a tribute to the late journalist and civil rights activist George Curry.
Dorothy Tucker, reporter with WBBM/CBS 2 Chicago and NABJ’s Vice President of Broadcast, says NABJ Chicago is happy to host the conference, which will be attended by media professionals from major cities across the Midwest, including Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Cleveland. Participants will represent print, broadcast and digital companies, as well as include communications professionals, journalism educators and media students.
NABJ Region II Director Vickie Thomas, CBS Radio reporter in Detroit, says the conference theme Power Up Your Position is very meaningful. “Whether you are a student journalist or a seasoned reporter or a public relations professional, you will walk away from the conference with new skills, new insights and new connections that will help you get to the next level,” Thomas says.
Among other journalists participating in the conference are: Sarah Glover, NABJ President and NBC OTS Social Media Editor; Micah Materre, WGN-TV anchor; Audrina Bigos, CBS 2 reporter; Leah Hope, ABC 7 reporter; Dahleen Glanton, Chicago Tribune columnist; Marion Brooks, NBC 5 Anchor, Exavier Pope, sports legal analyst and host of #SuitUP Podcast; Tonya Francisco, WGN-TV anchor-reporter; Deidra White, CBS 2 planning manager; Art Norman, NBC5 reporter; Kathy Chaney, managing editor-print, Ebony magazine; Arionne Nettles, digital managing editor, The Chicago Defender; Carmaine Means, CBS 2 photojournalist; Jennifer Lyons, WGN-TV news director; Charles Thomas, ABC 7 political reporter; and Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times columnist.
On Friday, September 30, the conference will offer an “Obamaland Tour,” which will visit President Barack Obama’s Hyde Park neighborhood and favorite spots, and include a visit to the Jackson Park site of the Obama Presidential Library.
NABJ Chicago will host a “Sweet Home Chicago” fundraiser for its Scholarship Fund on Saturday, October 1 from 7 p.m. to midnight at B25 Venue at 25 West Hubbard. The fundraiser is open to the public; $20 contribution requested.
Among the sponsors for the conference are Fiat Chrysler, Northwestern-Medill, ABC 7, CBS 2, NBC 5, WGN 9, Ariel Investments, Seaway Bank & Trust, Chicago Community Trust, Global Express Services, Uncle Remus Fried Chicken, Kim Stratton’s Kitchen, and Brandless. Other contributors to the conference include Walgreen’s, Eli’s Cheesecake, Miss Jessie’s hair products, Shred Popcorn, and Smile Train.
For more information on the NABJ Region II Conference and Financial Media Institute, contact Lynn Norment Media, 312-427-3121.
