NABJSTF Events at 2011 Convention in Philadelphia

Greetings,

NABJ Sports Task Force members...we are 9 days away from this year's NABJ convention in Philadelphia. I hope you are registered and ready for what is absolutely a can't miss NABJ convention. As promised, here is the updated schedule of NABJ Sports Task Force events and as always, I ask that you support NABJ Sports Task Force events so we can continue to be a leader of the NABJ Task Forces.

-Sherlon Christie

Thursday, August 4, 2011
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
SPORTS TASK FORCE MENTOR BREAKFAST
Powered by ESPN
Location: 119AB (Convention Center)
Join the NABJ Sports Task Force and ESPN for its annual mentorship breakfast. Aspiring journalists are paired with professional mentors from broadcast, print and online newsrooms.
Speakers: ESPN's Rob Parker and Claire Smith.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
THE VANISHING BLACK SPORTS REPORTER: WHY DIVERSITY MATTERS
Location: 119A (Convention Center...same room as breakfast)

In an era where African Americans dominate the playing fields and arenas, the press boxes above and around them do not reflect that trend. The latest AP Sports Editors census reveals fewer people of color covering or leading newsroom coverage. What’s changed since earlier in the decade when America had six African American sports editors compared to today having one? What should those in power do to change the dynamic?

Panelists:
David Aldridge, Reporter and Analyst, TNT, NBA-TV and NBA.com
Hollis Towns, Executive Editor and Vice President-News, Asbury Park Press
Michael Anastasi, Managing Editor, Sports, Features and Production, Salt Lake Tribune
Steve Smith, Studio Analyst, NBA TV
Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group
Garry D. Howard, Editor-In-Chief, Sporting News

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CULTURAL TENSIONS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
Location: 115A (Convention Center)

Several issues have divided African Americans for years, including educated/uneducated, middle class/poor and urban/rural. As a result, offensive terms have been used to take aim at one’s "blackness.” Such instances have garnered national attention in the past year including ESPN analyst Jalen Rose’s "Uncle Tom” remark aimed at black Duke players in the 1990s; boxer Bernard Hopkins questioning the blackness of NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb; and Dr. Cornel West’s criticism of President Obama. In addition to closely examining these examples, we will also explore how these stories have been and should be covered by the media.

Panelists
Soledad O’Brien, Correspondent, CNN
Roland S. Martin, Analyst, TVOne, CNN, Essence
Dr. Argie Allen, Director of Clinical Training Programs, Drexel University,
Isiah Thomas, Former NBA Star and College Basketball Coach
Greg Anthony, Former NBA player and Current Basketball Analyst.
Nathaniel Normant, Chair and Associate Professor of African American Studies, Temple University
Bill Rhoden, Sports Columnist, New York Times

10:00 p.m. – 3:30 a.m.
SIXTH ANNUAL SPORTS TASK FORCE SCHOLARSHIP JAM
Location: Whisper Night Club (1714 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)

What are folks saying about the best party at the NABJ convention the last five years running, CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK EVENT.

Tickets are as cheap as $15 for NABJ members, get YOUR TICKET TODAY!

Friday, August 5, 2011

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
SPORTS PIONEER AWARDS CEREMONY
Location: 119A (same room as the breakfast from Thursday)

Saturday, August 6, 2011

10:30 a.m. – Noon
BLACK ATHLETE MANIFESTO
Location: 119A (same room as the breakfast from Thursday)

The Black Athlete has suddenly changed in front of our eyes. The superstars of our games are now born in the late 1980s, where they have faint memories of the Cosby Show or The Notorious B.I.G. and definitely have little concept of the Civil Rights Movement or the sacrifices of their predecessors. How do we deal with these athletes as journalists? How do we deal with those who are in the forefront of the Twitter generation, U-Stream craze and who seem to tattoo every one of their life achievements or opinions on their bodies? How do we close the generational gap and social gap between reporters and those athletes? And are these athletes more difficult to cover than those in the past?

Panelists
Kyle Draper, Studio Host, Comcast SportsNet
Jerry Brewer, Columnist, Seattle Times
Stephen A. Smith, Talk Show Host, ESPN Radio
Mitch Richmond, Former NBA Player
Vinnie Goodwill, Detroit Pistons Beat Writer, Detroit News

12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sports Task Force Business Meeting & Elections
Location: 118C (Convention Center)