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“Put Some Respect on Our Name”—The NNPA Built This.

July 2, 2025

In an opinion piece for NNPA, Dawn Montgomery criticizes Joy Reid for erroneously calling the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) the "lone" trade organization representing Black media, thereby overlooking the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). Montgomery emphasizes that the NNPA has represented the Black Press since 1940, predating NABJ by 15 years, and calls this oversight an erasure of legacy. The author urges recognition of NNPA's historical significance in Black media while suggesting that collaboration between NABJ and NNPA is necessary to honor their connected heritage.

Who is affected

  • National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and its 200+ Black-owned media outlets
  • National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
  • Black Press as a 200-year-old institution
  • Joy Reid and MSNBC
  • Errin Haines, Editor-At-Large at the 19th and NABJ presidential candidate
  • The Black community that relies on Black media outlets

What action is being taken

  • Dawn Montgomery is publicly calling out Joy Reid for her mischaracterization of NABJ as the "lone" organization representing Black media
  • Montgomery is advocating for proper recognition of NNPA's historical role in Black media
  • The Black Press continues to support Black journalists and media personalities when mainstream outlets drop them
  • NNPA outlets are operating across multiple platforms including digital and live formats

Why it matters

  • The misrepresentation erases NNPA's legacy as an organization founded in 1940 that predates NABJ by 15 years
  • It disregards the nearly 200-year history of the Black Press institution
  • This situation reflects a pattern of historical erasure affecting Black stories and institutions
  • Recognition of all Black media organizations is essential during a time when "Black stories—and the truth—are under attack"
  • The author argues that proper acknowledgment of foundational Black institutions shows respect for their historical contributions

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article, though the author expresses hope that the next NABJ president will address the relationship between NABJ and NNPA.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

“Put Some Respect on Our Name”—The NNPA Built This.