Controversy Erupts Over Former President Trump’s Appearance at NABJ Convention

This week has seen a major stir within the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) following former President Trump’s appearance at their convention, leading to significant internal division among its members.

Former Ohio University journalism professor Justice B. Hill, a nearly 50-year member of the NABJ, expressed feelings of bewilderment and betrayal in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s a mess,” Hill stated. “The whole thing came together in the past couple of days. And I hate things being not transparent. There’s controversy among members — one of the co-chairs of the Chicago convention resigned. You don’t surprise members this way. He has never spoken at our convention before. He was invited in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, and he refused to come. So, why is he coming now? He’s coming now because he sees some advantage.”

Hill’s concerns were echoed by many NABJ members on social media. White House correspondent April Ryan tweeted, “Trump came into our home, a Black Press advocacy convention, and insulted us in our face. What is worse he was invited to do this by NABJ leadership.”

NAACP President Derrick Johnson also criticized the event, stating, “To walk into a room full of Black journalists and attack someone’s ‘Blackness’ is another level of disrespect. To anyone who needs a reminder: we can’t change the color of our skin, and we don’t want to.”

Hill further questioned the motives behind Trump’s attendance. “I understand he is a candidate for president, but Republicans have generally refused to attend our conventions or speak at them. And he has done that so, why now? Because he is trying to discredit Vice President Kamala Harris? And I don’t think that is fair to our membership,” he said. He also noted that none of the interviewers were journalists from Black media outlets, which he found unacceptable given the organization’s mission to advocate for Black journalists.

During the Q&A, Trump made several contentious statements, including questioning Vice President Harris’s racial identity. “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” Trump said. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black. And now she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?”

In contrast, Vice President Harris was notably absent from the event. NABJ President Ken Lemon explained in a statement that coordination issues with her schedule prevented her from attending. “We were advised by her campaign at the time that her schedule could not accommodate this request. The last update we were provided (earlier this week) was that Harris would not be available in person or virtually during our Convention,” Lemon said. “We are in talks about virtual options in the future and are still working to reach an agreement.”

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions and the complex dynamics within the NABJ as it navigates its role in advocating for Black journalists and addressing issues of race and representation in the media.