What I learned from RABJ’s Richard McCollough & Kevin Hicks

Written by Jasmine

Congratulations are in order…

The Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) has been named the “National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2019 Professional Chapter of the Year”!! ??????

I had the pleasure of meeting with RABJ President, Richard J. McCollough, and VP of Print, Kevin Hicks, to discuss the many different ways the chapter has involved themselves within the fabric of our community.

Here’s a few things I learned from our conversation:

1. The RABJ and the Little Theater have partnered to bring us the “Black Cinema Series” to celebrate expressions in Black cinema. Each month, a different film is curated and followed by a discussion led by RABJ members, local experts, community leaders, and filmmakers. 

Their next screening will be on September 27th and will feature the film, “Decades of Fire”, as well as an in person discussion with director and producer of the film, Vivian Vazquez!

2. RABJ hosts meetings every 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:30 AM at WXXI, these are open to anyone who wants to learn more about the “2019 Professional Chapter of the Year” regardless of membership. (They also alternate with meetings during the week for those who cannot make Saturday mornings).
3. In 2005, RABJ created the Wyoma Best Scholarship to help future journalists in pursuit of a degree from a college or university. In honor of Wyoma Best, Rochester’s first black female reporter, anchor and talk show host, this scholarship is awarded every year to a deserving high school senior who plans to study journalism or a communications-related field.

Whaaaaaaaat!!!??!?!? ??

Visit https://www.rabjournalists.org/ and tune in to our podcast below to learn more!