I have supported UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc., since it held its first convention in Atlanta in 1994. I have recruited at all of its conventions and have attended a few of its meetings. I have dropped in on its office at Rosslyn, Va., and, now, in the Gannett building in McLean, Va. I am making plans for UNITY 2008 in Chicago July 23-27. It will likely be the largest conference of professional journalists in U.S. history. UNITY is composed of four member organizations: the Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Native American Journalists Association.
Previous UNITY conventions:
1994: Atlanta
1999: Seattle
2004: Washington D.C.
In April, 2006, UNITY President Mae Cheng asked whether I could help them get things going on their Friday e-mail blasts by writing some tips about diversity. Instead, I offered to write some vignettes of people whose perspective influenced the way they did journalism, giving us a wider picture of the world. I wrote an introduction and an invitation, asking others to contribute to UNITY. A couple of great guys did, Joseph Boyce and Reginald Stuart, but I wound up writing 49 of them in the first year.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of subjects. I am amazed by the courage and tenacity I find in the people I encounter almost every week. They attest to the fact that there is a story in every journalist.
UNITY is working to incorporate some of these vignettes into a day planner. You can find the stories of these individuals as "Industry Resources" on the UNITY site's home page or in the Diversity Resources section. Follow the links to the archives.
Bringing the News Century-old postcards celebrate newsies in photographs and artwork, in groups or singly, black and white or color. The newsboys -- and girls, as well as a few adults -- are always portrayed in hard-knock ways. Feet and calves are sometimes bare. Patches cling to elbows and knees. They cover their heads with stocking caps or the floppy hats we still know as "newsboys." If there is inside you a scrappy, survive-by-your-wits newsie, you'll enjoy this collection of cards and carriers bringing news in old-fashioned ways. (Twenty-five images.)