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Smith passionate about NABJBy Regine Labossiere Monitor Staff Cheryl Smith says her expert managerial skills and longtime commitment to journalistic excellence will make her the kind of president NABJ needs. "I'm passionate about the organization and its members," said Smith, the editor-in-chief of The Dallas Weekly, the leading African-American weekly newspaper in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Smith joined the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators in the late 1980s and has been the chapter's president for three terms. As chairwoman of the group’s scholarship committee, she helped raised more than $250,000. Through a celebrity bowl-a-thon, she contributes $1,500 a year to the organization's scholarship efforts. Smith said the organization is on its way to a better and stronger future. "With strong visionary leadership, we can achieve financial independence. We've stabilized in a number of areas. We made some of the necessary cuts and adjustments." However, Smith doesn't agree with everything that NABJ has cut. "I really wish we hadn't cut the budget for regional directors. They're going to need a budget to reach the masses. They would be able to have regional conferences and do a number of outreach programs to make members feel closer to the national organization," she said. Smith now serves on the NewsWatch Advisory Committee and the UNITY convention planning committee. She is also director of NABJ's Magnificent Region VII. Throughout her journalism career, Smith has garnered awards for mentoring young journalists and students through a 12-week journalism program. She has received praise and awards from the Press Club of Dallas, the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators, and the Dallas NAACP. This year, the National Newspapers Publishers' Association gave Smith the Messenger Award for her columns in The Dallas Weekly. Smith sees the future of NABJ as having close relations with other media organizations, including UNITY, which NABJ will be partnering for next year's convention. Smith would like to make it clear that she isn't running against any particular candidate. "NABJ has done and can continue to do so much for the industry and for journalists of all colors, primarily AfricanAmericans. "When we help the industry, we're helping everyone. When we put more black faces in offices, provide more scholastic opportunities, that help everyone." Hometown: Dallas/Ft. Worth Area Education: Florida A&M University Job experience: Editor-in- chief of the Dallas Weekly, overseeing both the editorial and production departments. She was a radio talk show host on Dallas-Fort Worth's KKDA-AM 730, and taught journalism at the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University and Paul Quinn College. Involvement: Served three terms as president of the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators (DFW/ABC). Has served as vice president-print and secretary of DFW/ABC, conference chair and deputy regional director of NABJ. She is currently director of NABJ's Region VII. |
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