AAJA Michigan is BACK!
Message from the President:
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, it’s time to get back together!
This group is a collective of print, online, broadcast, and digital journalists and will be expanding to include social media outlets, academics, entrepreneurs, and public relations colleagues who believe in our end goal of making Michigan’s media market more inclusive.
Before the pandemic, we had a full chapter fundraising to provide local students with scholarships, volunteering in the community and providing peer mentoring. We also hosted gatherings and partnered with our friends at the NABJ, NAHJ and SPJ. We want to bring this back!
We do have more funds available for students in the upcoming year and grants for members to attend the national convention in Los Angeles from July 27-30.
But this doesn’t happen without an active statewide effort and a local board that volunteers to coordinate events and initiatives. If you would be interested in joining the board or supporting the organization in other ways, or helping to recruit new members, please let me know.
This is horrible timing with Gannett layoffs. I hope we can connect leaving journalists with new opportunities through this.
I'm helping lead this effort because enhancing diversity goes beyond the hiring stage. Creating a safe space for minority journalists to excel is essential and breaking barriers for newcomers to do so is paramount to the future of this industry and accurate representation of the communities we cover.
Why Join AAJA?
AAJA has been at the forefront of change in the journalism industry, working toward the visibility and inclusion of AAPI journalists in newsroom leadership. One-third of AAJA’s members are students, attesting to the organization’s emphasis on bringing young people into the news business. This year, we celebrate our 40th anniversary.
Anyone can join, regardless of background. I, an Arab American and Muslim woman, joined AAJA as a student in 2016 and was selected to participate in its college VOICES program reporting in Las Vegas at the presidential town hall. It was an immeasurably beneficial experience that I carry with me today.
There’s also our JCAMP program for high schoolers, Executive Leadership Program for professionals, mentor matchups, digital skills fellowships.
With a membership, you’ll be able to access our private careers center, fellowships, professional mentoring and training opportunities, bi-weekly e-newsletters, discounts on convention registration, the national award contest and AP Stylebooks.
Our memberships range from $25 for students and $65+ for professionals and allies. See full pricing and register here. Be sure to select Michigan as your local chapter! Both are included!
I hope you’ll join our 1,500 members nationally, bring others on board to help with awareness, and build back our community base in our newsrooms and across the industry.
Sincerely,
Sarah Rahal, AAJA Michigan President
New Member Registration
There are many benefits available to AAJA members:
Discounted tickets and early access to AAJA networking and community events
Discounted registration for AAJA convention
Early access to career opportunities via bi-weekly online newsletter
Entry fee waiver for AAJA’s national journalism awards contest
Recognition on AAJA.org of special achievements or career moves
Significant discounts on UPS, AP online stylebook, Poynter on-site courses, CUNY J+ workshops and courses, AARP membership and other services (for access to these benefits, please email support@aaja.org)
There are additional benefits for members who upgrade to Gold or Platinum membership. Read on to see which membership is right for you.
AAJA membership is based on the calendar year, January to December, regardless of when dues are received.
There are three ways to obtain a registration form for membership:
1. Click here to register online.
2. Contact AAJA directly for a membership application form. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please email for a mailing address.
Email: support@aaja.org
Phone: (202) 729-8383
Member testimonials
Charlie Kadado
"AAJA has helped me grow professionally and build a network of mentors and journalism friends around the country. The organization has helped me connect with recruiters from major media outlets, many of whom I still keep in touch with today. I'm grateful to belong to a group of like-minded people who believe in the diverse and innovative future of news."
Sarah Rahal
"After only being in AAJA for less than a year, I was able to attend the 2016 national convention as a VOICES student in Las Vegas. Through the program, I covered the presidential Town Hall and report on national topics including, 'Asians projected to become largest immigrant group in U.S. in 50 years.' I became versatile in every aspect of creating the story from writing to jumping in front of the camera and editing the story. I returned to Detroit and became more involved with the chapter because I knew it would be the best professional prepping possible– it has been and much more."