Efforts to reinvent the industry have been launched locally by the Columbus Association of Black Journalists and its umbrella organization, the National Association of Black Journalists. The idea is to provide professional development and encourage entrepreneurship that takes advantage of technological change, much as YourNewsColumbus is doing locally.

The theme for NABJ's Annual Convention and Career Fair in Tampa, Fla., was "Refresh, Reinvent, Reclaim." Numerous workshops and training sessions were conducted by such notable organizations as the Poynter Institute, Google and the Gannett Foundation during the convention, which ran from August 5-9.

NABJ also elected officers, including President Kathy Y. Times, an anchor for WDBD-TV in Jackson, Miss.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, she issued a letter of encouragement to the membership in which she said, "We need each other to get through the layoffs, downsizing and furloughs. I know the anxiety is taking its toll. I know you are doing more with less and the stress makes you want to holler. But we will get through this and emerge stronger and more prepared to deal with the challenges of the future."

The Columbus Association of Black Journalists, an affiliate of NABJ, also has latched onto the "Reinvention" theme, which sparked discussion at a mixer on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Patio 5 in the Brewery District.

Some newcomers joined on the spot, a few former members rejoined and others learned about the chapter, which annually holds internship workshops for college students and media training for high school students interested in journalist and related fields.

The chapter's recently-elected president, Alexis Wiley, an investigative reporter at WSYX/FOX28, asked those in attendance to fill out an informal survey that will help identify ways to make the chapter more relevant to its members and the community.

She succeeds former President Sherri Williams, who is pursuing a master's at Syracuse University.

Various career changes have taken other recent chapter leaders out of state, including former Vice President Simone Sebastian, who enrolled in a new media program at the City University of New York; and Kerry Charles, chairman of the CABJ's 20th anniversary committee and a former producer at WSYX, who is now a reporter at KTAL in Shreveport, La.

Ed Clay, a CABJ Media Legend, retired at the end of July as station manager at WOSU-TV. He was feted at a farewell ceremony on July 17 at the Fawcett Center. Many friends and colleagues attended the event, including former General Manager Dale Outzs and former OSU and NFL football great Paul Warfield, whom Clay hired as a commentator for Ohio State football replays. Clay, who has also made his mark as a musician and photographer, said he plans continue in those fields and to work on other media projects.