Why UNITY exists
The first UNITY board meeting of 2005 sets an ambitious agenda for promoting diversity in America's newsrooms

March 1, 2005

UNITY President's Message Mae Cheng

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment stemming from the first meeting of the new UNITY board last month was the joint continuing commitment to the organization by both individual board members as well as from the alliance associations.

Guided by the newly adopted five-year strategic plan, the board laid down the foundation for the organization’s growth and future. We created a committee to focus on fundraising for UNITY – headed by Gilbert Bailon, publisher and editor of Al Dia - and another committee - led by Matt Kelley with The Associated Press and Herb Lowe, Newsday staff writer and NABJ president - to respond to issues that arise within our industry.

The policy and issues committee immediately went to work. Just days after the board meeting, the committee drafted a news release that spoke out against a federal appeals court ruling against two reporters who refused to divulge their sources. Through our news release, UNITY called for greater protection of journalists’ First Amendment rights and the need for a shield law that would protect the rights of reporters to use confidential sources.

Equally as important during the UNITY board meeting, a committee led by Bryan Monroe, assistant vice president of news at Knight Ridder, was created that would begin planning for our 2008 convention. For the first time, through the committee, UNITY will start planning the nuts and bolts of the convention nearly four years before the gathering.

The board is continuing to explore Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Washington, D.C., as possible sites for UNITY 2008.

While we made some great strides at the board meeting, the board realizes that it consists of only 17 members. And so, each committee will outreach to members of the alliance organizations and beyond to enlist help in accomplishing some of UNITY’s goals. Committee volunteers are also welcomed.

In addition to setting the infrastructure for UNITY and for the 2008 convention, the board also dealt with financial issues relating to the organization.

Cognizant of how difficult it is to raise money, the UNITY board passed a lean budget this year that takes into account the challenging fundraising times we face yet will allow the organization to sustain itself and adhere to the priorities highlighted in the strategic plan.

Our operating budget for this year is $371,515. The budget will allow the organization to maintain the momentum we established with the successful convention we held last year. At the same time, it allows us to keep the doors of the organization open into the near future.

If it wasn’t obvious before, it was certainly clear after the board meeting that there is no longer any question as to whether UNITY should exist. UNITY exists and should continue to exist with its very clear and defined missions and goals.

Mae Cheng
President, Board of Directors, and chair, Executive Committee
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.

» Past presidents of UNITY: Bios, photos, links and more

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