DESCRIPTION:
'When We Vote: Why It Matters'
OUR PURPOSE
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Report for America have joined together once again to present a timely discussion on the power of our vote!
With news reports documenting the ongoing assault on voters’ rights, particularly when it comes to the voting rights of African Americans, we invite you to join us in helping to ensure accurate information is available to our communities as the election cycle approaches.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to combat disinformation and misinformation and other efforts that serve to leave our citizens uninformed and unaware of their power. This summer’s panel speaks to the heart of journalism — using our platforms to be vigilant in shedding light through truth, ensuring the voices of our audiences are not silenced, and holding accountable those in power.
Thank you for your interest! We look forward to working with you in this endeavor!
-Ken Lemon, President, NABJ
-Earl Johnson, Vice President, Report for America
THE PANEL
Date: Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Time: 5:30 - 7 PM, EDT
Place: Union Chapel, Martha’s Vineyard, 55 Narragansett Avenue, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
A new report from the Brennan Center for Justice details the growing racial voter gap
as Black voter participation has gone down since the Supreme Court dealt a major blow
to the Voting Rights Act in 2013.
For decades after the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there was a steady trend toward voting
equality, but since the decision in Shelby County v. Holder gutted protections for
voters in states with a history of discrimination, that positive trend has reversed.
Our esteemed panel will talk about the consequences of the increasing racial voter gap.
They will report on some of the acts across the country that are having an impact on
our right to vote and share some of the solutions being initiated to ensure that there is
equal access to the polls. They will also let the audience know what they can do to
strengthen the laws to reverse the trend.
FEATURING
Paula Williams Madison – Chairman & CEO of Madison Media Management LLC &
Founding Partner with The Group LLC
Errin Haines – Founding Mother and Editor at Large for The 19th & MSNBC
Contributor
Wesley Lowery – Executive Editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop & Journalist-in-Residence at Newmark Graduate School of Journalism
Michele Norris – Columnist for The Washington Post Opinion Section, Author & Host of “Your Mama’s Kitchen”
Trymaine Lee – Correspondent for MSNBC, Host of “Into America” & Contributing Writer for the “1619 Project”
WHY MARTHA'S VINEYARD:
Each year, Black families from around the U.S. spend their
summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
Steeped in Black history, this haven for many has become the
place where national politicians, candidates, entertainers,
educators, authors, influencers, media giants, and finance
leaders come each year to rejuvenate, engage, network, and be
inspired.
ABOUT NABJ
Preparing for its 50th anniversary in December 2025, NABJ is a journalism and media
advocacy and training organization consisting of more than 4,000 members. The
organization supports and represents Black journalists, media professionals, journalism
students, and media educators in the U.S. and worldwide.
ABOUT REPORT FOR AMERICA
Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms
to report on under-covered issues and communities. An initiative of the nonprofit media
organization The GroundTruth Project, it is structured to harness the skills and idealism of an
emerging group of journalists plus the creative spirit of local news.
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
$8,000 TITLE SPONSOR FOR PANEL
Prominent branding placement on NABJ event marketing material (includes email
messages and social media posts)
Opportunity for brief remarks from sponsor at the VIP reception
Recognition at three events including the National NABJ Convention
3 VIP tickets to the invitation-only reception
$5,000 CO-SPONSORSHIP FOR PANEL
Branding on event marketing material (includes email messages and
social media posts)
Recognition at one event on Martha’s Vineyard
Opportunity for brief remarks at the reception
1 VIP ticket
