SPJ/LA April Newsletter
Greetings everyone!
I'm Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, president of SPJ/LA, and I'm here to share what our chapter has to offer this month.
So let's get started!
Here's the latest...
SPJ/LA recently locked down a location and date for this year's 2022 regional conference: Saturday, August 20 at Loyola Marymount University! We're thrilled to be staging panels, workshops and other events on the Westchester campus. If you have ideas for panel sessions please let us know. Ticket information will be released soon.
Tomorrow, an amazing group of journalists will tackle the topic "Getting Paid What You're Worth: How to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career." The 6:30 p.m. virtual panel will explore the frequently uncomfortable work of advocating for yourself on salaries, benefits, job assignments and other career needs. RSVP here.
Our chapter was delighted to participate last week in the virtual panel Press Rights 101: Understanding your news gathering rights in California, which featured representatives of SPJ/LA, the First Amendment Coalition, the LA Press Club and the National Press Photographers Association. The event was very well attended and included an in-depth Q&A session at the end. If you missed the event we will be sharing the recording soon via our social media platforms.
Do you know an excellent student journalist hoping to enter the news business? If so, encourage them to apply for one of six SPJ/LA scholarships available to students interested in print, broadcast news and other forms of media. The application deadline is May 15 and the full details are here.
Our chapter recently welcomed Benjamin Davis Jr., associate professor of broadcast and digital journalism at Cal State, Northridge, as our newest board member. We're thrilled to have him on board, which works to ensure that academic experts are part of our leadership team.
Davis will fill the unexpired term of Navid Nonahal, a former SPJ/LA president and a powerhouse volunteer over the past decade, who recently stepped down from the board. We will miss her thoughtful input, but hope to see her soon at our upcoming events.
Our chapter recently staged a virtual panel exploring the good and bad of social media, and how it's dramatically changing the way news is gathered. If you missed it, don't worry! We've got the video right here. Many thanks to SPJ/LA's Generation J committee for putting it together.
The Society of Professional Journalists Foundation has established a fund to provide financial support to freelance journalists looking for grants to pay for training and other professional development opportunities. In its first offering, the fund will sponsor at least two independent journalists heading to MediaFest22, SPJ's national convention, held in Washington D.C. in October.
From our friends at SPJ national. . .
The Society of Professional Journalists Foundation has established a fund to provide financial support to freelance journalists looking for grants to pay for training and other professional development opportunities. In its first offering, the fund will sponsor at least two independent journalists heading to MediaFest22, SPJ's national convention, held in Washington D.C. in October.
Read more about SPJ's undertakings here.
Finally . . .
We've reached the part of the newsletter where you know what I'm going to say: If you're not already a member, please join us!
SPJ/LA helps student journalists, advocates for press access, stages interesting events and more. Learn about our chapter here. And please follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Until next time!
Best,
Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins
President
SPJ/LA