The first week of August brings two big events to Chicago’s downtown area. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will host their annual convention and career fair at The Hilton Chicago from July 31 through Aug. 4.
At the same time, just across the street, Lollapalooza will make its annual return to Grant Park from Aug. 1-4.
Both events combined are estimated to bring in hundreds of thousands of people into the downtown Chicago area. In 2023, Lollapalooza alone counted more than 100,000 festival attendees each day.
On July 25, The TRiiBE spoke to Emmy Award-winning journalist Brandon Pope, the president of the NABJ-Chicago Chapter. He’s also a contributor and anchor at WBEZ, and host of “On The Block,” powered by Block Club Chicago.
NABJ is anticipating thousands of attendees, he said. At 2023’s convention in Chicago, more than 3,600 attended. Registration for the convention is still open. Ticket prices vary, with different prices for students, members, and non members of NABJ.
“The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is a beautiful network of support, of love, and accountability. For Black Journalists, by Black Journalists,” Pope told The TRiiBE.
There will be a few big names at this year’s NABJ. Pope mentioned that Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and president Kevin Warren will speak on a panel about Black leadership and sports. Poles was named the Bears GM in 2022, and Warren named president in 2023. Both are the first Black GM and president in Bears history.
Sports journalism icon Stephen A. Smith will be hosting ESPN’s “First Take” live from the convention on Friday, Aug. 2. Also in attendance at the convention will be CNN White House correspondent Abby Philip, MSNBC host Joy Reid, ESPN sports analysts Monica McNutt and Chiney Ogwumike, sports journalist and former co-host of ESPN’s “His & Hers” Jemele Hill, investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox and more.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also will speak. “Hopefully,” Pope said, Johnson will be joined by other Black mayors to talk about real issues across multiple cities.
The TRiiBE editor-in-chief Tiffany Walden will also be speaking on a Friday morning panel discussing why Black journalists and editors should consider working at nonprofit and start-up newsrooms. Additionally, The TRiiBE publisher Morgan Elise Johnson will be speaking on Thursday at a free journalism panel outside of the convention at the Black-owned Semicolon Books & Sweets just a few blocks away.
Covering all areas of media is a top priority for the NABJ.
“There is something for everybody at the NABJ convention, whether you are an audio storyteller. Whether you are a TV storyteller, or independent journalist,” Pope said. “I have a panel I’m going to be moderating on how to be a successful independent journalist, freelancing and handling invoices and the business side.”
The NABJ convention brings together Black journalists from all over the country. For attendees, there will be opportunities for professional development and networking, as well as panels and workshops that address important issues impacting the Black press and Black journalists at large.
Founded in 1975, the NABJ focuses on the advocacy of Black journalists, as well as providing quality programs and resources. Pope said he believes it’s important to uphold the legacy of NABJ, as well as maintain the impact of Black media in the future.
“Black press matters. Our stories matter. We carry that legacy forward every day,” he said.
In the midst of what seems to be a pivotal election year, Black media matters more than ever.
“Our community, the Black community, is a target for misinformation and disinformation,” Pope added. “Those who are on the front lines against misinformation and disinformation, are us: Black journalists.”
While the past 30 days in politics have been hectic, Pope couldn’t confirm or deny that some “major mainstream politicians” could make appearances at NABJ. He did hint at it, though.
“It’s going to be a powerful conference for sure, in a city that is really a bedrock for Black journalism,” Pope said.
Right across the street from NABJ, Lollapalooza headliners such as Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Future and Metro Boomin will be taking the stage. Other artists on the lineup include Sexyy Red, Veeze, Vince Staples, BigXThaPlug, and Teezo Touchdown.
Lollapalooza is one of the world’s largest music festivals, and one of the longest-running festivals, originally starting in 1991.
“There’s going to be some crossover there. That’s unavoidable. And there’s going to be some frustration when it comes to travel,” Pope said about Lollapalooza happening at the same time as NABJ.
”The key thing, I think, to reiterate to folks that are coming into the city of Chicago: we’ve lived here when Lollapalooza happens, the city still moves. There’s still plenty to do and ways to get around,” he explained.
To help mitigate and ease the difficulties of transportation, Pope explained that NABJ will have shuttles set up to transport participants from the Hilton to different event locations.
Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is another option outside of the ride-share apps. Because of construction on the Kennedy Expressway, the Blue Line “L” train will get you from O’Hare International Airport to downtown Chicago in a much quicker time. You can download the Ventra app to find up-to-date CTA bus and train times.
Of course there will be a bunch of parties and events taking place outside of the convention hotel. Here’s a list of some of the NABJ-related events, to name a few:
- On July 30: Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub Summer Summit
- On July 30: NABJ-Chicago Chapter Redline Double Header
- On July 31: NABJ-Chicago and the Chicago Bears present The Chicago Kick Off Party
- On Aug. 1: Leading Voices in Chicago’s Black Storytelling at Semicolon
- On Aug. 1: Thursday Night Tip Off “TNT Party”
- On Aug. 2: NABJ Sports Taskforce Party
- On Aug. 3: Chicago Mahogany Black History Bus Tour by Shermann “Dilla” Thomas
For Lollapalooza, 1-day general admission tickets are sold out except for Sunday. Four-day general admission tickets are still available, as well as VIP, and Platinum tickets for select days.
August will be an action-packed month for Chicago. These major events will fill Chicago’s downtown with a vibrance we haven’t seen in a long time. Not to mention, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) is just around the corner: coming to Chicago from August 19-22.
Pope spoke passionately about Chicago, his home for the last 8 years.
“We have so much history here. That has really been a bedrock for journalism writ large for Black people,” he told The TRiiBE. “So this is a chance for us to honor that past and also craft lanes for the future. And I’m pumped for that.”
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