The Carolina Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) is an affiliated student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). CABJ is based out of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Founded in 1991, CABJ won NABJ’s coveted Student Chapter of the Year award in 2001, 2002 and 2007, and was nominated for the award in 2005. Under the direction and guidance of president Monique Newton and vice president Dioni Wise, as well as executive board members Perrine DeShield, Nacarla Webb, Ayana Allen, and Aisha Johnson, senior associate dean Jan Yopp and professor Queenie Byars, CABJ plans to work with and for minority students at UNC and the surrounding community. The CABJ office is in room 44 at Carroll Hall. CABJ’s mission is quite simple yet profound: To prepare minority students for a career in various fields of journalism with the ultimate goal to diversify the journalism industry. Our slogan supports this mission precisely: Without diversity, there is no excellence. Without diverse newsrooms, public relations and advertising agencies and businesses, society is at a loss because American life is misrepresented. By diversifying the eyes and ears of the public, society will be better represented with a hope for a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of the people around us. CABJ is going to achieve its goals and carry out its mission in a variety of ways. In order for minority students to have a chance to enter the industry, it will be important that they be the best possible journalists they can be. This aspect can be achieved by gaining a better understanding of the industry itself. Therefore, CABJ will be hosting various activities and opportunities for CABJ members to learn more about the unique areas of journalism. These activities will include panels, speakers, a mentor program and exclusive lists of important industry-related websites. Additionally, CABJ will be working with other minority organizations on campus as well as giving back to the community. CABJ strives to developing excellent journalists, but more importantly, well-rounded individuals. Each year, NABJ hosts a national convention and career fair. Next year’s convention will be held in Tampa from August 5 - 9. For CABJ members, this will be a great opportunity to meet some of the top minority journalists in the nation, find an internship or job and establish contacts for the future. If you are a minority student interested in majoring in journalism, there is no better way to prepare and further yourself for a career in journalism, to give back to the community, to meet new people, and most importantly, to HAVE FUN, than CABJ. If you haven’t already done so, please check out our Top 5 Reasons to Join CABJ section of the Web site. If you have any more questions, please contact Monique Newton or Dioni Wise.