THE ONLY NABJ AFFILIATE IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION
nabj-philadelphia
WE ARE THE one and only
Black folks have a history of survival by connecting in unison through groups, including the NAACP, SNCC, SCLC and Black Lives Matter. History has shown that we are stronger together than apart. As a member organization of journalists and media professionals, we believe in following that tradition. NABJ-Philadelphia is the only affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists in the Philadelphia region. #theoneandonly As such, we are part of a network of more than 4,000 media people across the country.
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MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH – On-site & Zoom
Philadelphia Inquirer
100 S. Independence Mall West, Suite 600
Philadelphia, PA 19106
RSVP – [email protected]
apply for the michael i. days scholarship
NABJ-Philadelphia is awarding two $2,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate college students in honor of our inaugural president Michael I. Days, who passed last October.
The scholarships commemorate Mike’s work as a mentor, newspaper editor, friend and colleague who believed in the integrity of the news media, and its commitment to truth and honesty. The application deadline has been extended to April 15, 2026.
LEARN MORE ABOUT IT HERE.
DONATE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
we have met the $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP MATCH
thanks to our friends and supporters
NABJ-Philadelphia has met the $10,000 match for the Michael I. Days Scholarship thanks to Sulaiman W. Rahman and the brothers of the 444 Charitable Birthday Celebration who put us over the top. During an unforgettable night with four unforgettable friends on March 15, 2026, Sulaiman presented us with an oversized replica of a $7,500 check from proceeds for the event.
Our vice president Melanie Burney graciously accepted the contribution, and profusely thanked Sulaiman for helping us unlock the $10,000 challenge offered by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, of which he is chairman of the board. Mike’s many friends, colleagues, family and supporters gave vigorously to our appeal to fund a scholarship in his name and meet the match.
Jim Friedlich, executive director and CEO of the Lenfest Institute, and Shawn Mooring, who leads Philadelphia programs for the Institute, announced the grant to thunderous applause on Jan. 7, 2026, at our monthly membership meeting. Both knew Days personally, and worked alongside him on critical diversity and philanthropy efforts in Philadelphia’s news media.
The scholarship honors the legacy of Mike Days, a pioneering journalist, Pulitzer Prize–winning media executive, and former Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer editor who was committed to mentoring and opening doors for young journalists.
NABJ Philadelphia will continue Mike’s legacy by investing in Black journalists for generations to come. We will present two inaugural scholarships at the NABJ Region 1 reception on May 1, 2026.
The scholarship application period has been extended to April 15, 2026. Students can read more about the scholarship and APPLY HERE.
We are still accepting donations to ensure the longevity of the scholarship: bit.ly/mikedaysscholarship
THE PASSING OF OUR PRESIDENT MICHAEL I. dAYS
It is with very heavy heart that NABJ Philadelphia mourns the sudden passing of our President Michael I. Days, a respected journalist, mentor and cherished friend whose legendary career and commitment to excellence inspired us all. He died on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Trenton, NJ, where he lived with his wife Angela Dodson.
Mike was our inaugural president, agreeing to lead us during the past two years as we carved out our own space as the only affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists in the Philadelphia region. In our first year, Mike accepted the NABJ President’s Award on behalf of the organization.
He loved and believed in NABJ-Philadelphia as much as he did NABJ, where he was a Life member and an inductee in 2017 into its Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions.
Mike brought to NABJ-Philadelphia the same determination that he had shown as vice president for diversity and inclusion at the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, from which he retired in 2020. Ten years before, he was editor of the Daily News when it won a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism.
We will miss our friend dearly – his wisdom, compassion and dedication to journalism. His loss leaves a profound void in our organization and our hearts. We extend our sympathy to his wife Angela and their family.
As NABJ-Philadelphia heads into its third year, we glance back at how far we have come and what we have accomplished, and look ahead with fortitude at whatever’s awaiting us.
The organization needs strong leaders to build on the work of the past two years. So, it’s Election Time!
We will hold our first election for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at our monthly membership meeting.
Click below for more info about nominations, eligibility for voting, deadlines and more.
On May 2-3, 2025, NABJ Philadelphia celebrated the legacy of Black journalists by looking back at the industry they challenged, contemplating the roadblocks we are now facing and considering the new avenues that are opening up.
We offer this slideshow as a peek inside our event at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and ask you to join NABJ Philly as we stride ahead. Watch on YouTube.
REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF BLACK JOURNALISTS IN PHILADELPHIA
This is an NABJ Philly series of “Reflections” on the legacy of Black journalists in Philadelphia dating back to the founding of the Association of Black Journalists in 1974. They were published as a prelude to our May 2-3, 2025, celebration of Black journalists.
They include remembrances, anecdotes and photos from the early days of the association, as well as memories of some of its early members.
Read about the history of Blacks in journalism in Philadelphia dating back to the Civil War.
NABJ PHILLY’S RESPONSE TO LAYOFFS OF BLACKS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR,
AND ELIMINATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT DESK
AT THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
This year, NABJ Philly is celebrating the fierce men and women – Acel Moore, Chuck Stone, Claude Lewis, Reggie Bryant and the dozens of other Black journalists – who despite the odds stepped out to speak for themselves in the 1970s. We are honoring them as founders and early members of ABJ and local founders of the National Association of Black Journalists. Please join us on May 2-3, 2025, in showing them how proud we are, what we have accomplished and what faces us today.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING CELEBRATION & VIEW PHOTOS
DIAMOND SPONSOR
The Philadelphia Foundation
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GOLD SPONSOR
African American Museum in Philadelphia
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SILVER SPONSOR
Visit Philadelphia
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Please become a sponsor or donate to help ensure that this celebration is befitting of our pioneering Black journalists:
CLICK HERE FOR A SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE (PDF)
CLICK HERE TO MAKE DONATION AS A PATRON
OUR STORY
A core group of eight Black journalists agreed on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, to form a new affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia. The previous chapter, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ), had disaffiliated from NABJ in December 2022.
The group consisted of longtime officers and members of PABJ who felt a strong kinship with the national and wanted to maintain that connection. They opposed the decision to break from NABJ, whose founders in 1975 included members of PABJ. The local group informed NABJ of its intention to join and started the process of becoming a legal organization in the state of Pennsylvania.
an historic weekend, oct. 27-28, 2023
Friday morning, Oct. 27, 2023
The National Association of Black Journalists Board declares us an affiliate chapter
join nabj-philadelphia
We encourage all media professionals to join us as we forge a new path toward excellence, respect and cohesion for the benefit of the Black community and ourselves. No one will be left out or disparaged because of their age, gender or other characteristics. We offer a safe space where you can “be” whoever you are, ask questions and propose solutions without interference.
And we adhere to the strictest standards of journalism.
We got your back.
powerful words from a founding member - don camp
Don Camp is a founder of the Association of Black Journalists, the original name of the organization that became the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He was a photographer at the Philadelphia Bulletin at the time. He is a legacy member of NABJ-Philadelphia. Currently, he is a well-known Philadelphia artist.
Camp, 83, was scheduled to make remarks at the Oct. 27, 2023, NABJ Board meeting but became ill in the elevator on the way to the meeting room.
our legacy
members & Journalism
leaders
Our legacy members include founders and early members of the Association of Black Journalists (ABJ). In 1973, Black journalists began meeting to discuss their predicament at white-owned newspapers and broadcast media outlets. In the summer of 1974, they formed ABJ and publicized the organization in November 1974. Our journalism leaders are stalwarts in their own organizations and supporters of NABJ-Philadelphia in this endeavor.
