The Unexpected Roads to Black Excellence in Journalism: Howard University NABJ Hosts Black Excellence Panel

(Flyer for Black Excellence Panel/HUABJ)

On Feb. 21, 2025, the Howard University chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (HUABJ) hosted a Black Excellence Panel at the MET Building to acknowledge trailblazers in the industry during Black History Month.

The panel was hosted by Howard University student and HUNABJ president Mackenzie Williams. Mackenzie Williams introduced the panelist and began the panel by asking why each of the panelists chose journalism as their career choice.

(Panelists speaking at Black Excellence Panel Event/Monet Heath)

One of the panelists was Robin Turner, the current Vice President of training, culture and community at Dow Jones. Turner discussed how her interest in journalism began in her sister’s room.

 “I would sneak into my sister’s room to read her diary,” Turner said.

 From that point on, her curiosity for words evolved into a career dedicated to serving the public. 

On the other hand, Sonya Ross, panelist, founder and editor-in-chief of Black Women Unmuted said she never intended to be a journalist. 

“I did not choose journalism. Journalism chose me,” Ross said. 

Ross took science courses in college, pursuing a career in cancer research, but always found herself asking a lot of questions. When deciding to pursue journalism, she wanted to change how the media views Black people. 

“Black people got a raw deal in the media,” Ross said.” So I thought that maybe I could one day change that, which is why I got into the industry.”

 Philip Lewis, another panelist, is the deputy editor at Huffington Post and president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. He didn’t set out to be a journalist similar to Ross, but an educator. He started his career as a teacher for the Detroit Public School District, teaching fifth and seventh grade. Yet, after he realized that wasn’t the right profession for him. Phil then joined the Huffington Post in Washington, DC, as an editor fellow.

 “I had no idea what I was doing,” said Lewis. “However, since this opportunity, I have continued to pursue further interest in the media industry.”

The panelists also discussed memorable stories about their careers. 

Panelist Tia Mitchell, the current bureau chief for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, recalled writing a story about a high school that wanted to recognize the ‘good’ kids in the school. Mitchell made sure to include a kid who was viewed as ‘bad’ at the school for his criminal record. As a result of her report, the student was grateful that he was viewed in a new light despite his past.

“He was like, ‘because you showed up and took the time to get to know me and really understand what I had gone through, now when people google me they see someone else,’” Mitchell said.

Other topics included the recent election from a journalistic standpoint and how to navigate being a journalist while Black. 

As the panel closed for questions from students, the panelists provided insight on what they hoped to see from students who plan on pursuing a career in journalism.

“I would like to see more journalists of color in hard news,” Turner said as she reflected on how small the Black population of journalists in this field is. 

The panel ended with the HUNABJ Executive Board members providing gifts for the panelists and mingling between guests and panelists.