The journalism major will work alongside professional journalists to cover the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention held Aug. 9-13, 2017, in New Orleans.
This summer is shaping up to be quite busy for Emmanuel Morgan ’19.
NABJ offers the expenses-paid fellowship to outstanding students to report on its annual convention and career fair, and chronicle local stories in the convention’s host city. The association has offered the fellowship for more than two decades, and the student program has become highly competitive.
Nevertheless, this is the third consecutive year an Elon student has been appointed to the project. Prior to Morgan’s selection, Erin Turner ’15, G’16 contributed to conference’s public relations program in 2016 and Zora Stephenson ’15 reported from the 2015 conference.
According to Nagatha Tonkins, director of internships for the School of Communications, Morgan is the first Elon student chosen for the project’s print/online journalism team. “This is an honor and a very rewarding learning experience,” she said.
The managing editor of Elon News Network, Morgan expects that the conference – and its on-site reporting responsibilities – will provide yet another chance for him to sharpen his journalistic chops.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to showcase my work in a different atmosphere, along side professional journalists,” he said. “I’m going there focused on doing good work and we’ll see what happens after that.”
While traveling to California for spring break – before his selection – Morgan contacted Gerrick D. Kennedy, a former NABJ Emerging Journalist of the Year, to discuss the association and its student project. The music writer for the Los Angeles Times graciously shared his time, insight and advice, Morgan noted.
The Elon student explained that he’s been fortunate to find several professional journalists willing to assist and advise an aspiring journalist.
“You’re only in college for four years, so I try to take advantage of every opportunity I can,” Morgan said. “Because I’m a student, people have been willing to help me along the way, and I’m so grateful for that.”
As part of the fellowship, NABJ will cover Morgan’s convention registration, hotel accommodations and travel expenses.