D4 The Afro-American March 23, 2024 - March 29, 2024
NNPA hosts State of the Black Press luncheon at National Press Club By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com Civil rights leaders, publishers and journalists from across the nation came together at the National Press Club on March 15 to celebrate Black Press Week. Congressman Jim Clyburn (D-SC-05) shared remarks via video and National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. presented a powerful State of the Black Press address. The audience was moved by Chavis’ words, imploring members of the Black Press to do all they can to encourage Black voters in the current election year. Black Press Week 2024 had a theme of, “Getting Out the Black Vote Across America.” Special guests at the event included Rodericka Applewaithe, director of Black Media at the White House and Dr. Benjamin AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper Talton, director of the Moorland-Spingarn currently serves as first vice chair of the National Research Center at Howard University. Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). AFRO Photo / Edoghogho Ugiagbe
The AFRO is just one of the 250 local and regional newspapers that make up the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Founded in 1892, the paper still prints every week with news to inform and celebrate the Black community.
Mark Thompson, NNPA global digital transformation director, ensures the State of the Black Press luncheon flows smoothly as master of ceremony.
Members of the AFRO News and Afro Charities teams celebrate Black Press Week at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Shown here, left, from top to bottom: Deyane Moses, Afro Charities curator of archives; Oyinda Omoloja, an archive assistant for Afro Charities, Alexis Taylor, AFRO managing editor; Andre Draper, AFRO director of operations and Bacarri Byrd, Afro Charities’ gallery assistant. Shown on right, from top to bottom: Diane Hocker, director of community and public relations for the AFRO; Lenora Howze, AFRO executive director; Frances Draper, AFRO CEO and publisher, and Ashleigh Fields, AFRO assistant editor.
Benjamin Talton, director of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, updates the publishers on the university’s archives.
Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., NNPA president and CEO, gives a powerful address referencing the 2024 election.
Black leaders honored at Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala
Gov. Wes Moore (left) participates in a fireside chat with Laura Coates after receiving his award.
By Ashleigh Fields AFRO Assistant Editor afields@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore (left) with George H. Lambert Jr., Greater Washington Urban League president and CEO.
Danielle Johnson enjoys the annual gala.
The Greater Washington Urban League hosted the Whitney M. Young Jr. Gala to uplift local leaders, present scholarships and celebrate their president, George H. Lambert Jr. on March 15. Lambert has
Herb Gray, CEO of Life Enhancement Services; Ashleigh Fields, AFRO assistant editor, and Felicia Gray, systems engineer Bank of America. AFRO Photos / Darrell Stoney Jr.
been with the organization for 10 years. The event gathered esteemed professionals in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to cultivate legacy through education and conversation. At the annual gala, they honored the nation’s only Black governor, Gov. Wes Moore, Chris Turner
Critically acclaimed actor, Jonathan Slocumb, serves as host of the prestigious event.
and Patrice Sulton. Moore also participated in a fireside chat with CNN’s legal analyst Laura Coates.
The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center welcomes a crowd of Black professionals, to include doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs.
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