By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
(NNPA Newswire) – The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) concluded its 2024 annual summer convention on June 22, leaving its mark on Baltimore and making history as the first trade association with a presidential campaign as an event sponsor. The Biden-Harris campaign also announced a groundbreaking seven-figure advertising and sponsorship deal with the NNPA, which represents 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies comprising the Black Press of America.
“In August of last year, our campaign announced the earliest and largest investment into Black media for any reelection campaign in history,” said Jasmine Harris, the director of national Black media for Biden-Harris 2024. “This partnership with the NNPA is a continuation of those efforts and will strengthen our work in meeting Black voters where they are, to underscore the stakes of this election for Black America. President Biden and Vice President Harris are responsible for creating millions of new jobs for Black workers and record low Black unemployment. Black America has far too much to lose this election.”
In a letter to publishers, Vice President Harris asserted that the NNPA has remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting Black publishers. “Your work helps ensure that communities gain critical knowledge and have access to accurate information on the pertinent issues impacting our country,” Harris said. “As you know, the freedom of the press is essential to our democracy. I commend the efforts of the NNPA as you continue to be trusted voices of your communities and tell stories that too often go untold.”
NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. emphasized that “it is extremely important to show support of the business side of the Black Press owned by Black business leaders. Verbal support is good, but financial support is better.”
The 2024 convention began with the unveiling of the “Marylanders Cry Freedom, Civil Rights at Home and Abroad” exhibit at Baltimore City Hall, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Maryland’s divestment from South Africa’s apartheid regime in 1984.
The unveiling featured remarks from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Chavis, Henry, AFRO Publisher Dr. Toni Draper, and other dignitaries. Distinguished guests included U.S. Black Chambers President Ron Busby and Dr. Camille Ragin of Fox Chase Cancer Center.
The convention offered a series of insightful panels and discussions. A GenZ panel on voter issues featured journalist Ashleigh Fields, University of Maryland Student journalist Savannah Grooms, North Carolina A&T student journalist Melvin Harris Jr., Huffington Post journalist Phillip Lewis, community organizer Brielle Morton, and Elijah Pittman, an anti-colonial, Afro-diasporic-centered journalist from Howard University. Additional panels, hosted by Wells Fargo, Google News Initiative, General Motors, Pfizer, and Reynolds, aligned with the convention’s theme, “Empowering the Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter Turnout.”
During the NNPA Fund’s Merit Awards, Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble was honored as Publisher of the Year. The St. Louis American led with 12 awards, including first place in the Armstrong Ellington Entertainment category and the Robert L. Vann Layout & Design Award. Real Times Media publications, the Michigan Chronicle, and the New Pittsburgh Courier collectively garnered eight awards. The Michigan Chronicle won five awards, while the New Pittsburgh Courier earned three.
The Atlanta Voice received six awards for journalistic excellence, including the Emory O. Jackson Award for health coverage and the Ada S. Franklin Award for fashion. The Sacramento Observer, whose publisher Larry Lee won the 2023 Publisher of the Year award, also secured six awards. Other recognized publications included The Washington Informer, Texas Metro News, Houston Forward Times, Houston Defender, Insight News, Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder, Los Angeles Sentinel, New York Amsterdam News, and Seattle Medium.
The NNPA’s daily digital show, “Let It Be Known,” was celebrated with the Black Press of America’s “Black Excellence in Media” award. The NNPA National Legacy Awards, always among the convention highlights, honored Maryland Democratic Congressman Kweisi Mfume. Erica P. Loewe, a White House Office of Public Engagement assistant to the president and chief of staff, and photographer Mel D. Cole received the inaugural “Future Goes Viral” award from “Let It Be Known,” under the direction of Greer Marshall, for their bravery and unwavering resolve during and after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert Bogle, and Defender Network CEO Sonny Messiah Jiles were also presented with the “Future Goes Viral” award for their tireless advocacy as publishers of Black-owned newspapers and media companies.
The conference formally closed with a dinner cruise presented by Regi Taylor of the Baltimore Times that was titled, “From Shackles to Ownership: A Reflection of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.”
“Gratitude is owed to our sponsors, speakers, awardees and organizers for their unwavering support in making this event possible,” Henry said. “Together, let’s harness this moment to inspire, learn, and collaborate, shaping a brighter future for all through the NNPA and its Black-owned media companies.”