This picture posted above was taken at NABJ 2019 in Miami where women decided to support each other and promote their natural hair.
It's undeniable that the number of black women in sports broadcasting has risen in the last decade, but the reality remains the number are still low. Those numbers shrink even further when it comes to black women being hired for managerial positions. However, the women I spoke to say it's about creating more support within the black community to help uplift one another. One of the biggest networks for black journalist today is the National Association of Black Journalists. “Founded by 44 men and women on December 12, 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation,” (NABJ, 2019). NABJ hosts an annual week-long convention that provides resources, mentors, seminars for young and developed reporters in all aspects of broadcasting. This is especially helpful for black women trying to move up in sports broadcasting because networks like ESPN, CBS and Fox Sports are all in attendance and can critique with feedback. In addition to big time networks, there are dozens of seminars taught by accomplished journalists from all over the world in attendance, typically willing to become a long-time mentor to these aspiring journalists.
Charita Johnson, a former Executive Producer for ESPN says it’s organizations like these that help the black community in general. “There’s enough food at the table for everyone to eat,” says Johnson. Although it is ideal to attend NABJ every year, it can often be expensive, especially on a beginning sports reporter salary. There is a free option that many lean toward, which is the Facebook social media platform that offers private groups for journalists. They are meant to be a forum for black women in journalism. One of the most popular that only requires a description of your job title and area of focus in the business is called, “Black Women on Television.”
It was started by two black women in the business who were tired of not being able to talk to about their personal experiences with other women who look like them. It’s a space that only black women on air will be accepted. It’s a safe place for venting, resources and often job postings that could potentially give one of these women an upper-hand when it comes to making a connection with an employer.
These types of goals have been the reasoning behind individuals creating more mentorship programs for black women. Cecelia Townes, attorney and former athlete, created GladiatHers to elevate women in the sports industry. Being a black woman, Townes understood the importance of creating such a network for women of all ages to connect and provide mentorship.
"GladiatHers.com was dedicated to looking beyond the field of play at thought-provoking issues like equal pay, sexism and personal development that women in sports face on a daily basis,” (GladiatHers, 2019).