By Lizzy Nyoike, The Monitor Digital
As the National Association of Black Journalists celebrates 50 years of Black voices in the media, the NABJ scholarship program remains committed to that legacy.
NABJ has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in journalism and media.
In a time when many graduates are entering the industry faced with job shortages, limited opportunities and rising student debt, NABJ scholarships offer financial relief offering, mentorship, and access to internships in an industry that struggles with diversity.
“NABJ membership is so important for me as a student, you know, the connections are so valuable and everyone here is a wealth of knowledge. So, having the membership, especially as a student, was really great,” said Lauren Haley Morris, a senior at Temple University who received a 2024 NABJ scholarship.
In 2025, NABJ awarded 37 undergrad or graduate students with scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. The scholarships are funded through the organization, corporate affiliates and task forces. Some awards include internships, fellowships and paid attendance to the national convention.
There are also memorial scholarships, including the Larry Whiteside Scholarship, for a student with an interest in sports journalism, and Thomas Morgan III and Monica Roberts scholarships for LGBTQ+ members.
To qualify for an NABJ scholarship, a student must major in journalism or a related field, have a 3.0 GPA, be a national paid member and typically write a 500-word essay on their career goals. Other scholarships have lower GPA requirements or require additional documentation. The student membership fee is $40 per year.
Chandlor Henderson, a 2024 NABJ Scholarship recipient, recommended students pay attention to the NABJ newsletters to determine which scholarships they are eligible for and apply before the deadline.
“I think the No. 1 thing is confidence, and pride,” said Henderson. “I feel that the work I do is good, even if it can get better. At least good enough to be recognized by my peers in the industry. I just put one foot in front of the other, and I feel that’s good enough for me.”
Scholarships can be competitive. The sports task force has four scholarships and one internship, but about 300-500 students apply each year, according to Tareia Williams Lee, the president of the Sports Task Force.
Source: NABJ convention program books. Lizzy Nyoike/NABJ Monitor
After a scholarship is created in partnership with the corporate affiliates, such as ESPN, TNT Sports and The Ringer, a panel of judges reviews the applications, resumes and cover letters to narrow down to one or two students based on the company’s needs. Then, the finalists are presented to the companies for the final decision.
“Our responsibility is to make sure the companies that are involved now are seeing the potential candidates that they can hire.” said Williams Lee, the Vice President of Strategic Brand and Talent Communications at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.
Students who are awarded are invited to attend the conference to be recognized at the Sports Task Force Mentor Breakfast, a signature event where mentors connect with mentees established in the industry.
In addition to the perks, some students, like Damenica Ellis, a 2024 NABJ scholarship recipient, said she relies on scholarships to pay for their education.
“The NABJ scholarship helped me get through my junior year of college with less strife and financial worry,” Ellis said.
Ellis said NABJ provided her with her first newsroom experience through the Student Multimedia Projects, a weeklong, all-expense-paid fellowship to cover the convention alongside professional journalists and public relations experts.
“That experience helped me in later experiences, including writing for The Hilltop and my internship with the Charlotte Observer,” she said.
The scholarships are more than just monetary support but long-term investments in Black students’ careers.
In 2012, Shaquille Brewster started at NBC as an intern through the NBC/NABJ Fellowship working behind the scenes and later became a correspondent at NBC News. He encourages students to take every opportunity they can to succeed.
“When you get a foot in the door, run through it. Don’t take the shortcut other people are taking. Say yes as much as you can. Raise your hand. Make your presence known, not only with your personality, but in your work,” Brewster said.
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