NABJ officials make IU chapter official after two-year wait

Two years after senior and IDS reporter Ashlee Green decided to begin a National Association of Black Journalists organization at IU, her efforts are being realized. The chapter is now official.

Georgia Dawkins, NABJ student representative, said IU’s chapter is now eligible for financial support from the national office, including funds for grants, scholarships and internships, as well as to receive the “Chapter of the Year” award.

“Financial support is a big benefit,” Dawkins said. 

In addition, Dawkins said there are different requirements for a chapter to become nationally recognized. There must be sufficient membership interest, and the president, vice president and advisor of the organization must be national members.

Green said although she is stepping down from her position as chapter president at the end of this semester, she still has goals for the organization.

“My overall goal is to land student chapter of the year. It’s a really big deal,” Green said. “Once you win chapter of the year, you are opened up to great networking opportunities because they see how hard you work to get these things accomplished.”

Sophomore Jordan Fisher, public relations director for IU’s chapter, said because it has been recognized it will be more active on campus and sponsor more events.

“It sounds better, looks better. It’s actually organized; you’ve taken the time to talk to the higher-ups and get approved,” Fisher said.

Green said her favorite part is networking and collaborating with other chapters at national conferences in places such as Chicago, Indianapolis and Tampa, Fla.

“I would say, if anything, it has opened up a door to a vast number of networking opportunities, which is really important,” she said.

— Rachel Krasnow