The National Association of Black Journalists touched down in Atlanta for the 2026 NABJ Convention & Career Fair.
The theme, “Our Revolution: Truth, Power and Black Journalism,” echoed throughout the week, with prominent journalists, including Don Lemon, Roland Martin, and more, spoke to the importance of Black voices, storytelling, and authentic journalism.
The convention became the second-largest in the organization’s history with a reported 4,302 registered attendees. There were a variety of panels that focused on independent journalism, audience growth, social media best practices. Other sessions tackled pressing issues of injustices, featuring Rev. Al Sharpton, Attorney Ben Crump, and the family of Nolan Wells.
Nolan’s mom, Christine Wonsley, called for a national day of prayer on her son’s 19th birthday, which was August 19.
Celebrities also made an appearance, including La La Anthony, who joined Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels for a live recording of their Clock It podcast. During the conversation, the actress opened up about the work she has been doing in prison reform with her program ThreeSixty.
“My son, Kiyan, is 19,” Anthony said. “So a lot of these young men played basketball with Kiyan, grew up with Kiyan, knew Kiyan, and now I’m seeing them facing 25 to life.”
But it wasn’t all serious conversations. There were screenings for The Drop: A Snowfall Saga, The Heir, Skylark, and Brannu: The Urban Horseman. Children of Blood and Bone director Gina Prince-Bythewood and star Thuso Mbedu gave attendees a special treat by dishing on the film and sharing exclusive clips.
“This film came to me two times before over the last seven years, and I just didn’t connect with it at that time in my life. And then this third time it came around. This time there was something about it, something in my life that made me connect so deeply with the character of Zélie,” Prince-Bythewood said.
“This woman had such incredible fight, who was searching for her purpose and never gave up. And it was something that I connected with.”
Journalists were honored during the Salute to Excellence Awards Gala. The Hall of Fame inductees included Maurice DuBois, Lewis W. Diuguid, Jackie Greene, Ernest Holsendolph, Jackie Jones, Jayne Kennedy, Debra Adams Simmons, and Sidmel K. Estes, who passed away in 2015.
To round out the celebratory week, distinguished news anchor Melanie Lawson donated $43,000 to NABJ, representing $1,000 for each year of her career in broadcasting.
With uncertainty in the journalism profession and political climate, the 2026 NABJ Convention & Career Fair was a reminder of why Black voices are needed today and always.
It lauded journalists for their contributions to society while also providing opportunities to connect with others working at large news networks, digital media companies, and independent brands.
Next year’s NABJ Convention & Career Fair will take place in Houston.
Feature image: (L-R) Eugene Daniels, La La Anthony and Symone Sanders Townsend. Photo courtesy of NABJ