The co-chair of this year’s National Association of Black Journalists convention, Karen Attiah, has resigned ahead of former President Donald Trump‘s Q&A at the convention on Wednesday in Chicago.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Attiah announced she was stepping down, adding that she wished the “best of luck” to the journalists interviewing Trump. While a “variety” of factors influenced her decision, Attiah said she wasn’t consulted about giving Trump a “platform” at the convention.
“To the journalists interviewing Trump, I wish them the best of luck. For everyone else, I’m looking forward to meeting and reconnecting with all of you in the Windy City,” Attiah wrote on X.
Context
Amid the 2024 elections, the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is set to hold its annual multi-day convention in Chicago July 31 to August 4.
On Monday, the NABJ announced that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, will participate in a Q&A session at the convention on Wednesday.
According to the NABJ’s website, the convention known for journalism education, career development, networking, and innovation has previously had special guests and speakers including then-Senator and President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Former Vice President and now President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and many others.
What We Know
In a statement published Monday, the NABJ said Trump’s Q&A session will “concentrate on the most pressing issues facing the Black community” and will be moderated by ABC News correspondent Rachel Scott, Fox News host Harris Faulkner, and Semafor reporter Kadia Goba.
However, the announcement of Trump’s appearance has been met with mixed reviews from Black journalists, including Attiah.
Addressing the concerns, Ken Lemon, NABJ’s president, said in a video posted to X that the organization invited both presidential candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris who recently began her Presidential bid after President Joe Biden stepped down.
Lemon said the organization understands “the serious work of our members,” adding that it will be “the opportunity for them to ask the tough questions that will provide the truthful answers Black Americans want and need to know.”
He added: “I understand some people have a feeling about this. I understand people are disappointed. I understand people are upset, it is our job also to offer that opportunity for those candidates to be here and not doing that would not be the right thing.”
Update 7/30/24, 3:00 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with background information.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
