August 7, 2025 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists annual conference in Chicago had some of the most robust programming in the organization’s history, but it may be remembered for the strength and comfort it gave NAHJ members who came together and received a huge local welcome at a time when immigration raids were dominating headlines and disrupting Latino communities across the country.
A total of 1,701 journalists, media executives and exhibitors registered for the NAHJ Conference and Expo July 9-12 at the Hilton Chicago. The action began the day before, when Military Veterans in Journalism convened alongside NAHJ, and closed with a “Gran Baile” to herald #NAHJ2026 in New Orleans.
The conference featured more than 100 sessions and plenaries over four days, offering a variety of choices over which to attend. Most provided hands-on professional development in areas ranging from AI and emerging technology to travel content creation. But some addressed head-on the challenges facing journalists in a time of government hostility and economic pressure, with speakers such as Columbia Journalism Dean Jelani Cobb, Democracy Now Co-Host Juan Gonzalez, and Associated Press Washington Bureau Chief Anna Johnson.
In a plenary session, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned that political and economic pressures converge when the FCC goes outside its traditional scope and imposes political conditions to approve mergers of media companies than own news networks, redefining “public interest.” Two weeks later the FCC approved Skydance’s merger with Paramount after Skydance vowed to eliminate DEI initiatives and appoint a “media bias” ombudsman at CBS News.
Recognizing that journalists today need more than just reporting and editing skills to thrive, NAHJ launched “NAHJ Cares,” a health and wellness initiative, several weeks before the conference. Conference attendees had the option of starting their day with yoga or a run/walk along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The initiative continues with webinars on personal cybersecurity, mental health, and even healthy Latin cuisine throughout the year.
Chicago’s warm welcome was a balm. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, a future Senate candidate, spoke at the opening celebration, which was sponsored by the Chicago Bears and featured remarks by Ana Belaval, an award-winning Chicago TV journalist who moonlights as a stand-up comedian. Conference co-hosts Natalie Martinez and Alex Perez, both Chicago natives, made sure their colleagues felt welcome.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson showed up and proclaimed official days in honor of NAHJ and Executive Director Yaneth Guillén-Díaz. The Chicago-based Field, Joyce and MacArthur Foundations all stepped up as sponsors. Attendees who arrived early were invited to a White Sox game. And the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture hosted an NAHJ presidential reception two days after law enforcement agents showed up in their parking lot, triggering a community outcry.
The second cohort of Adelante Leadership Academy graduated at the conference, after six months of intensive sessions that started at Columbia J-School and continued virtually with speakers, mentors, and individual projects. The Academy prepares rising leaders for top newsroom leadership jobs, and this seven-person cohort will bring deeply diverse perspectives to executive suites.
Meanwhile, college students selected to write for The Latino Reporter provided rich conference coverage. Participants report they received 43,142 account views from 116 pieces posted. NAHJ’s Student Project is a path to professional journalism and alumni could be encountered throughout the conference.
One successful journalist who credits NAHJ’s early career support for his success is Tom Llamas, who took over from Lester Holt in June as anchor of NBC Nightly News. Llamas broadcast the Nightly News from Chicago during the conference, spoke with excited groups of young journalists, and encouraged others to join him in becoming an NAHJ Lifetime member through a $1,500 contribution.
Llamas’ network, NBCUniversal, had a major presence at the conference, with NBCU Academy skill-building workshops on everything from the art of the interview to personal finance, thronged with attendees. JPMorganChase, NAHJ’s first Corporate Champion, sponsored a well-attended plenary focused on the financial literacy Latinos need to build generational wealth, and the role personal finance journalism can play.
Overall, sponsored sessions and plenaries accounted for around a third of the programming, deepening dimensions such as public health, sports, culture and travel. Bonus offerings included an environmental tour of Chicago, a hands-on CPR course, and workshops on memoir writing and the business of freelancing.
The Expo Hall and Career Fair also had programming during the day, complementing booths featuring recruiters for major news organizations, universities and others. A total of 90 exhibitors and sponsors participated. The Field Foundation provided fellowships for 10 freelancers and professional journalists in transition to attend, responding to industry-wide layoffs as the news business continues to transition to digital.
The theme of #NAHJ2025 was “Stronger Together: Journalism, Community and the Power of Truth.” Outside of sessions, the conference felt like a continuous celebration of the impact of Latino journalists, starting with the announcement that NAHJ DC won Chapter of the Year and culminating in the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Alina Falcon, the late Mercedes Olivera, Janelle Rodriguez and Damian Trujillo.
In between, the Ñ Awards luncheon highlighted journalism excellence by NAHJ members, including a new prize for educational journalism. And NAHJ President Dunia Elvir announced special awards for six veteran journalists, mentioning their contributions to NAHJ, her own career, and to representation of Latino communities.
Many of the stories highlighted during the Ñ Awards would have gone untold without the cultural competence of NAHJ members, and it’s a resource NAHJ wants to share. The organization released the updated NAHJ Cultural Competence Guide during the conference, an authoritative resource for journalists covering immigration and Latino communities. It’s available as both a searchable PDF and a custom ChatGPT.
Another resource announced at the conference: An investigative reporting certificate program in both English and Spanish, launched in partnership with FIU’s Lee Caplan School of Journalism & Media. The intensive online program costs just $20 for NAHJ members.
The event that generated the most buzz was new – Friday’s Noche de Fiesta at VU Rooftop Bar, sponsored by publisher Dotdash Meredith (now People, Inc.) The event offered attendees an opportunity to connect outside of the conference space, all while raising funds for NAHJ’s Next Gen programs.
“It felt like a fiesta con familia,” one participant commented.
Visit the conference photo gallery.
The conference survey is still open. If you didn’t attend, tell us why. If you did, tell us what you liked and what could improve.
Also open: the NAHJ Swag Store, where apparel purchases support NAHJ’s year-round programming.
After New Orleans in 2026, NAHJ’s annual conferences will be held in Minneapolis and Houston.
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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in news media. NAHJ has more than 3,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information, please visit NAHJ.org or follow us on X @NAHJ.