Yvette Cabrera, President, NAHJ National Board of Directors
I’m thrilled to announce the 2024 Latina Leadership Program, the inaugural initiative of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ new “Adelante Academy.”
The program is designed to ensure that Latinas in America’s newsrooms are equipped with the skills and knowledge to ascend into leadership roles, whether they aspire to be editor-in-chief of a newsroom or CEO of a news nonprofit. It will be the first of many programs offered by the NAHJ Adelante Academy, which we created to accelerate the careers of our members.
Latino voices, especially those of Latinas, are underrepresented in journalism leadership and decision-making roles. We’ve learned that diversifying newsroom staff isn’t enough – it takes individuals in positions of power to change the way communities of color are covered. We will equip future leaders with the tools and training they need to overcome obstacles that often push talented Latinas out of newsrooms, and help them move up instead.
The NAHJ board began actively developing the concept of the Latina Leadership Program during the NAHJ board presidency of Nora Lopez, who is now chair of this program. With generous support from the Ford Foundation, we will nurture a cohort of approximately 10 select individuals, providing them with both training and mentorship from leaders in the field.
The application period starts today and is open through Nov. 19, 2023. Ideal candidates will have 10 or more years of experience with evident leadership potential. While some might already hold middle management roles, our program is also open to talented freelancers. Our vision is not about past achievements but potential future impact.
The program will kick off with an in-person session at Columbia Journalism School in New York in January 2024, and conclude with events at NAHJ’s 40th anniversary convention in Hollywood next July. In between, there will be two virtual sessions, and participants will work on custom projects that their mentors will help them design and develop.
We’ve designed the program to maintain an intimate setting, facilitating trust and open discussions about the challenges faced within newsrooms. This will create an environment where participants not only grow individually but also bond as a group, ideally forming a “cabinet” of confidants and advisors for years to come. We understand that the path to leadership is not just about the right skills but about having that unwavering circle of guidance and advice. And it’s in this unity that we find our strength – when one succeeds, we all succeed.
In my own journey, I’ve often advocated for accurate representation, fighting both external and internal battles. We should not have to battle these issues within our organizations. With this program, we aim to provide our participants with the strength and diplomatic skills to address these challenges, ensuring they become leaders who not only thrive but also bring about change.
NAHJ’s historical mission has centered on aiding young Latinos in pursuing studies in journalism and communications. We’ve consistently paved the way for these budding journalists with scholarships. Yet our hard-won gains in newsroom diversity won’t be transformational without leaders, who understand communities of color, in decision-making positions.
The Latina Leadership Program is not just another initiative by NAHJ. It’s a promise. A promise to diversify America’s newsrooms and ensure that the coverage reflects the vibrant, diverse tapestry of our communities. It’s a promise to support our members in their journey from the newsroom floor to the highest echelons of leadership. And it’s a promise that we plan to nurture – with a pledge to extend these efforts across various segments of our association in the years to come.
If you see the promise within you, we invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Here’s to the leaders of tomorrow – bold, influential, and proudly Latina.
