Before there was NABJ, there was the NNPA. That’s a fact—not a footnote.
So when I saw Joy Reid call NABJ the “lone” trade organization representing the Black Press, I gasped. I read it again. Then I made a few phone calls to make sure I wasn’t tripping. We have a duty to speak up when legacy is being erased—even when it comes from people we support. Reid may have meant well in backing the 19th’s Editor-At-Large, Errin Haines, for NABJ president, but that post started off wrong.
There’s a right way to lift someone up. That includes telling the truth. To be clear, this is no shade toward Errin Haines. That said, the NNPA has represented the Black Press since 1940. To call NABJ the only trade group for Black media? That’s not just wrong—it’s erasure. And I can’t let that slide.
Let’s get into it. Here’s what’s off about Reid’s post:
The Facts—NABJ matters. But it’s not the first, and it’s not the only. Saying it’s the “lone” group for Black journalists erases the NNPA. The Black Press is a nearly 200-year-old institution. Founded in 1940, the NNPA preceded NABJ by 15 years.
Her Influence – Joy Reid knows the Black Press has her back. When MSNBC dropped her show, the Black community showed out—and the Black Press spoke up. We did the same for Tiffany Cross. We did so without fear, but certainly with favor. We’ve always stood in the gap. Therefore, please don’t ignore us because we never ignored you.
I’m Seeing a Pattern – This isn’t the first time. And it’s not a small thing. We are living in a time when Black stories—and the truth—are under attack. And sometimes that erasure doesn’t come from the outside. It starts within. If we don’t speak up for all of our history, who will? Reid knows what the NNPA is. She also knows who our 200+ Black-owned media outlets serve. It’s time she said it out loud.
And here’s another thing—this legacy began with Black people who took risks. Our ancestors were still enslaved at a time when it was illegal for them to read—yet the truth prevailed.
We ain’t new to this; we are true to this. If you run a Black-owned media business and haven’t considered joining the NNPA, you might need to do some soul-searching. It’s 2025. NNPA outlets are digital. They’re live. They’re daily. They’re everywhere our people are.
Running a close second to the Black community itself, NNPA is the most powerful advocate for Black-owned newspapers and media platforms. Try as some might, it’s impossible to erase that legacy.
However, a real collaboration with NABJ remains unestablished. Why? Why pretend we’re not connected? Let’s be real: without the NNPA, there is no NABJ.
Whoever becomes president of NABJ this year—I hope you and others finally address this issue. If for no other reason, do it for the culture and the truth, not for politricks or likes. We can prosper together—as long as we show mutual respect.
Don’t let ambition make you forget the people who laid the foundation. As Birdman said on The Breakfast Club, “Put some respect on my name.”
And while you’re at it, Joy—put some respect on the NNPA, too.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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