The documentary highlighted the importance of a shared sense of identity in minority communities, and how it serves as the core that will push a movement forward. This concept is exemplified through  the NABJ backing out of the UNITY: Journalists of Color (now known as UNITY: Journalists for Diversity) coalition after noticing financial and revenue-sharing disparities in 2011. 

Despite bringing in the biggest audience, the NABJ received the short end of the stick in regards to financial distribution compared to the other affinity journalist associations in attendance, such as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and Native American Journalists Association (NAJA, now the Indigenous Journalists Association). 

Shortly after, UNITY ceased operations and dissolved in 2018. 

The NABJ is still standing despite having to pivot and refocus on themselves. This was a bittersweet reminder for the NABJ that at the end of the day, as Black people we must put ourselves first because others will not. 

Black identity in America is an endless can of worms to dissect, and understanding why Black people are constantly at the bottom of the pyramid even in the presence of other minorities takes understanding intersectional leadership and years of racist indoctrination. 

While diverting from UNITY was an undeniable challenge, it only prepared the NABJ for what was yet to come. 

After the documentary was over, the panel discussion began with Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Host/Producer at the Colorado Public Radio, moderating. The panelists were Micah Smith, Denver 7 five PM Anchor, Deon Hampton, former National Reporter for NBC News and Sandra Dillard, an NABJ Founder and the first Black journalist at The Denver Post. 

The panelists discussed their opinions on the future of Black journalism in America. Smith recalled a number of jobs that were rolled out from under the rug for a lot of her peers, and Hampton reiterated that thought. 

As the discussion continued, it was grim to know that after the COVID-19 pandemic, Black journalists were being pushed out of the industry they had not so long ago fought so hard to be in. Black Americans’ unemployment rate is historically an indicator of the economy, and unfortunately after COVID, they were the first to go. 

Dillard shared the theme of overcoming hardship. As difficult as it was seeing others lose their jobs and fear that they might be next, a certain strength lied in shared hardship, especially one that was known all too well. Black people losing their jobs is not a new story, but by choosing to uplift one another and  amplifying these kinds of voices, the next generation of young Black journalists will live to see a bright future.

When the panel opened for audience questions, I mustered up the courage to ask how these senior journalists have witnessed up and coming talent in action. Smith replied to me by name, and encouraged me to foster myself where I am planted. 

In an age of artificial intelligence and increased distrust in media, the future of journalism is up in the air. What I do know for a fact is that Black excellence can never be silenced.