Our history.








In 1976, a group of Black journalists founded The Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists. GSLABJ was one of the first chapters to affiliate with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
Local members were tired of seeing Blacks rejected -- or not even considered -- for media jobs because they weren’t “qualified.”
Shortly after the group's formation, members created a journalism workshop called "The Minority Student Journalism Workshop" for high school students to help prepare them for careers in media.
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Decades after the MSJW was born, members have mentored and trained thousands of students in the St. Louis area -- some who even went on to pursue careers in media.
With help from members and the Greater St. Louis community, GSLABJ has raised an estimated $100,000 -- distributing the funds as scholarships.
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In addition to the workshop, GSLABJ had the pleasure to host the 13th Annual NABJ convention in St. Louis. Our guest speakers included the late, great “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley. GSLABJ’s Sharon Stevens was the convention co-chairperson.
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In 2023, GSLABJ officially changed it's name to the National Association of Black Journalists - St. Louis (NABJ-St. Louis) to usher in a new era in the organization.
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NABJ-STL looks forward to continuing its legacy of advocating and educating current and future Black media professionals not only in the United States, but around the globe.
The Founders.
Gerald M. Boyd (first president) | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch*
George Curry | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch*
Gaynelle Evans | Producer, KTVI-TV
Donald Hammonds | Reporter, St. Louis Globe-Democrat
Cleora Hughes | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Margie Hollins | Public Relations Manager, City of Wellston, MO
LeRoy Grant | Public Relations manager, Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.
Robert Joiner | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Betty Lee | Editor, Proud magazine*
Linda Lockhart | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Chris Moore | Producer/ Host, KETC-TV
Christine Mullen | Producer/Writer, J-V-L News
Joseph Palmer | Publisher, J-V-L News and Proud magazine*
Sheila R. Rule | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Robin Smith | Reporter/anchor, KMOX-TV
Stan Stoval | Reporter, KSD-TV
Ellen Sweets | Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (also of the St. Louis American)
Fred Sweets | Photographer, St. Louis Post-Dispatch (also of the St. Louis American)