Bulletin Editors-In-Chief Receive Consecutive NABJ Scholarship Awards

In recent years, the Communications Department witnessed two Bulletin Editors-In-Chief receive a prestigious National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) scholarship award.

Both African American recipients, Julissa James and Bria Overs are aspiring journalists who spent their years on campus perfecting the campus newspaper, The Bulletin.

Their tremendous efforts driven by their passion were often recognized by peers, faculty and staff. James' status as vice president of the Society of Independent Journalists (SISJ) and Overs' recognition as Editor-in-Chief caught the LA Chapter NABJ Association's attention twice in a row.

Founded in 1975, the NABJ has grown to be the largest organizations for journalists of color in the country. NABJ offers professional and financial resources for journalism students, such as expanding job opportunities and training for their future careers in the field. They also host an annual convention and career fairs each summer, scholarship opportunities, and promising jobs after they graduate. Their primary aim is to diversify the media workforce by supporting African American journalists in securing high-positioned employment.

Before receiving the NABJ scholarship award, James was a COM student who was involved in the Society of Independent Student Journalists club. She had initially been approached by a member of that student organization and was encouraged to join and fill in as the club's secretary. She eventually worked her way up to becoming vice president of SISJ and found a sense of community among her peers as a Journalism major. She then went on to serve as the Editor-in-Chief of The Bulletin and won the Outstanding Journalism Student Award in 2017.

It was during her last semester at CSUDH that James attended an NABJ chapter meeting in West Hollywood and introduced herself to then local NABJ president, Trevell Anderson. She was notified about the scholarship and was hesitant to apply. However, Anderson pushed her to apply when he saw how passionate James was about writing.

James eventually decided to submit an essay for the NABJ scholarship, along with a letter of recommendation from Dr. Nancy Cheever, the Chair of the Communications Department. After a surprise phone interview one Saturday morning about the scholarship, her hopes were ultimately confirmed when she received a congratulatory email saying she had won the scholarship award.

"I just took the opportunity, and thought about what I did later," James said. "That has been the theme. Do now, think later, and it ended up working in my favor."

After graduating from CSUDH, James knew San Francisco was a good starting point for her so she took an internship opportunity to write for a monthly magazine, The Nob Hill Gazette, where she covered culture and social life in the city. But when her former CSUDH Bulletin advisor, John Canalis, contacted her about a possible opportunity working with the LA Times, she made the leap back to Los Angeles, where she now works as an editorial assistant for the LA Times while continuing to write freelance for the Nob Hill Gazette monthly.

The following year, Journalism major Overs took over the mantle of Editor-in-Chief of The Bulletin. Her love of journalism went back to middle and high school, when she was a host for a school journalism broadcast. It was there she acquired editing and producing skills prior to attending CSUDH, so it was a natural move for Overs to assist in the production of Bulletin TV and manage the school newspaper for two semesters.

"I knew I was someone who loved journalism and holding a leadership position as Editor-In-Chief meant a lot," said Overs. "It was one of those experiences of where you're thrown into something and you figure it out as you go."

During her last semester at CSUDH, Journalism professor Dr. Brant Burkey encouraged her to also apply for the NABJ Scholarship. After Overs graduated in Fall 2018, she was notified of becoming the second Bulletin Editor-in-Chief in a row to win the annual scholarship award from the LA Chapter of the NABJ.

Overs also won the Outstanding Journalism Student Award in 2018 and, combined with the NABJ Scholarship, she believes that after all her hard work and putting her mind to her goals, it was reassuring to know that others recognized her potential for a career in journalism and these awards were proof of what she was capable.

As a recent graduate, Overs is currently planning her future steps in the journalism field.

Communication Department Chair Dr. Nancy Cheever also offered high praise for both alumni, acknowledging what an honor it is for two of our former Communications students and Bulletin Editors-in-Chief to win this prestigious and competitive scholarship award two years running.

"We are extremely proud of Julissa and Bria for receiving these scholarships," Dr. Cheever said. "It speaks to their hard work and dedication to the practice of journalism and to the outstanding professors and mentors who helped them in their academic endeavors. They make us proud!"