Urban Journalism Workshop

From Trina Williams
Assistant Producer, Newscast
National Public Radio

Photos of the WABJ students in action
More photos

Listen to Straight Up: Urban Voice (29:33) (download help)

Washington Association of Black Journalists' Urban Journalism Workshop returns this year to National Public Radio. It's part of an eight week workshop for students from Washington, DC area high schools. They'll gain hands-on experience with area professionals in radio, televsion, and print journalism. WUSA sponsors the television segment, while The Washington Post mentors the print students. The radio portion culminates with a radio program produced and voiced by the students. This year's radio project features nine students, four of whom will be returning from last year's successful program, which was headed by Newscast Associate Editor Jonathan Blakley. The first workshop session will be held 1 March 2003 at NPR News. We'll meet every Saturday from 9am-4pm.

Several NPR employees will assist with the program each Saturday. They are Morning Edition Assistant Producer Jamila Bey, Production Assistant Ralph Cooper, On-Air Fundraising Assistant Producer Victor Holliday, Morning Edition Associate Producer Sarah Mobley, Talk of the Nation Assistant Producer Alicia Montgomery, and Operations Desk Assistant Producer Sharahn Thomas.

WESUN Assistant Producer Wilma Consul, Librarian Kee Malesky, Newscast Associate Editor Margo Melnicove, and WESAT Editor Gwen Thompkins all have agreed to contribute their skills and expertise as well.

Abudulla Rufus has graciously agreed to volunteer his Saturday's as the chief engineer of the workshop. He'll take in pieces, mix tracks and actualities, and assemble the show. Other engineers who will assist with the production include Ivan Burketh, Greg Gavin, Carlos Gomez, Kim Jones; Josh Rogosin, Curt Turner, and Ted Mebane.

Doug Mitchell, Cheryl Hampton, and Pam Duckett also have been a tremendous help providing support and guidance.

During the next seven weeks, the students will not only learn to produce, write, interview, and report, they also will hear from guest speakers including NPR Senior Correspondent Juan Williams, American Urban Radio Networks White House correspondent April Ryan, Satellite One host George Wilson, and WKYS radio personality Jeannie Jones. In addition, field trips to AP Broadcast, XM Radio, as well as Radio One headquarters are planned.

The workshop will wrap on 12 April 2003 and a closing reception will be held on 17 May 2003.

Thanks to all of those who are volunteering their time and contributing to make the 2003 workshop a tremendous success.