National

Partnership with Howard Students, Black Press Reaffirmed

Published

10 years ago

April 9, 2015

NNPA Rededicates Media Lab at HU’s School of Communications

George E. Curry welcomes NNPA interns at the Media Lab Rededication on the campus of Howard University on March 26. (Photo by Roy Lewis)

by Sarafina Wright

Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer

The National Newspaper Publishers Association rededicated Howard University’s School of Communications media lab as a further testament to the commitment to the partnership between the organization and the school’s journalism department.

The ribbon cutting took place with numerous members of the NNPA, NNPA interns from around the country and prominent faculty members of the School of Communications.

“In 2014, the media lab was refurbished with 16 Mac desktop computers thanks to Mary Denson of the NNPA. This news lab serves as a central vehicle for the journalism department, preparing students to convey news and persuasive messages with technology,” said Wilhelmina Wright-Harp, the associate dean for research and academic affairs.

In 2003, the NNPA began its partnership with the Howard University School of Communications. It is one of the first news organization-university partnerships in the country. Howard University journalism students continue this partnership through the Howard University News Service.

Students have their original stories published in NNPA papers throughout the country, which contributes to their resumes, clips and overall journalism acumen.

Anissa Pierre, a senior, was selected to participate as one of 20 interns in the NNPA’s Black Press Week.

“I was selected by Howard University News Service to participate in Black Press Week. We got to meet a lot of publishers and have workshops with George Curry, the NNPA editor-in-chief. He gave us interviewing and writing tips. I don’t have anything lined up after graduation, so this has been really helpful,” said Pierre.

Along with technological advances in the School of Communications, the school has undergone major curriculum changes.

In the fall of 2013, the Radio, Television and Film Department merged with journalism to become the Media, Journalism and Film Department. This was intended to better serve students and prepare them for an ever-changing workforce.

“Our mission is to serve the NNPA and our students. We thank you for publishing their stories around the country. We have a chance to work on a lot of pressing issues affecting our communities,” said Yanick Rice Lamb, the assistant chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film.

When Trennie Williams Jr., 19, a sophomore at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who has been around the NNPA all his life, heard about the opportunity to participate in Black Press Week, he jumped.

“I found out about this opportunity through my granddad, Mr. Jimmy Williams, who owns the Memphis Silver Star. I thought it would be a great way to learn and get exposure. It’s crazy because everyone here knows my grandfather. To me, now it is that much more important for me to continue the tradition that has been set.”

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Dr. Ben’s Colleagues Reflect on His Legacy

Don't Miss

S.C. Cop Charged with Shooting Black Man in Back

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

Published

1 day ago

November 16, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.