Karen Attiah, co-chair of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention, resigned from her position on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, citing various factors, including the decision to invite former President Donald Trump to speak at the upcoming event.
The announcement came ahead of Trump’s scheduled appearance at the NABJ convention and career fair in Chicago on Wednesday.
In a social media post, Attiah, a columnist for The Washington Post, stated:
“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.”
She clarified that her decision was influenced by multiple factors and noted that she was not involved in the decision to invite Trump to the event.
NABJ’s announcement that Trump would participate in a conversation with journalists sparked controversy among some members.
The event, set to be moderated by ABC News’ Rachel Scott, Fox News’ Harris Faulkner, and Semafor politics reporter Kadia Goba, was defended by NABJ President Ken Lemon, who stated that the invitation was not an endorsement.
Lemon explained that inviting presidential candidates to speak at the convention is a long-standing tradition for the organization.
Despite the tradition, the decision to host Trump drew criticism from within the NABJ community.
Tia Mitchell, a chair member of NABJ’s political task force, supported the invitation, asserting it aligns with NABJ’s history of providing journalists opportunities to engage with presidential candidates.
However, White House correspondent April Ryan, a past NABJ Journalist of the Year, condemned the decision, highlighting past incidents where Trump was accused of attacking Black women journalists.
Attiah, named NABJ’s Journalist of the Year in 2019, has been recognized for her work on international affairs, culture, and human rights issues.
She received a George Polk Award for her writings about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist she recruited to The Washington Post.
Her resignation marks a significant moment of dissent within the NABJ as it navigates the complexities of hosting a controversial figure like Trump.
