FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 05/26/2022
Media Contact: publicrelations@shawu.edu
RALEIGH, N.C. – Shaw University student Kasonia Smith recently won the Short Course Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, recognizing her performance in developing skills as a future journalist or media professional. Smith is a senior, Mass Communication major. The NABJ Student Multimedia Short Course is aimed to help student members gain the knowledge and skills necessary to tell news stories on various content platforms. The seminar gives students hands-on experience and access to mentors who currently work at some of the top media outlets in the country.
As part of the award, Smith will receive paid registration, travel and hotel fees to attend the 2022 NABJ Conference, Aug. 3-7 in Las Vegas, Nevada – provided courtesy of NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. Smith said, “As an international student hailing from the beautiful island of Jamaica, I hope to represent myself, my school and my country well – and with high esteem.” Smith also was chosen to work as an intern with Spectrum News 1 in the Raleigh office for the fall semester.
NABJ holds its Annual National Convention and Career Fair each summer with hundreds of plenary sessions, panels, workshops, special events and networking opportunities for professional and personal development. Each year, NABJ awards nearly $100,000 in scholarships and internships to college and high school students nationwide, as well as fellowships for seasoned professionals.
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides innovative, quality programs and services to its members. The organization advocates on behalf of Black journalists and media professionals in the U.S. and worldwide.
Dr. Paulette Dillard, President of Shaw University, said, “Congratulations to our Shaw University student Kasonia Smith for this wonderful achievement. We are proud of her efforts in the NABJ Short Course and excited about her internship opportunity with Spectrum News 1 in the fall. We wish her continued success, and we look forward to sharing more news about her future accomplishments.”
Shaw University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the first historically Black institution of higher education founded in North Carolina and is among the oldest in the nation. The University was founded in 1865 by Henry Martin Tupper. Dr. Paulette Dillard currently serves as the University’s 18th President. For more information, visit: www.shawu.edu
# # #
