Vincentian Kenton Kirby has been tagged to speak at the bi-annual gathering of National Association of Caribbean-American Journalists on June 1 at the headquarters of the New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave.
The editor-in-chief at Caribbean Life will join colleagues during a plenary session to discuss “Styling Caribbean Identities: Reclaiming the Past, Building the Future” the theme of the two-day conference.
Along with Herman Hall, editor and publisher of Everybody’s Caribbean-American Magazine; Elsie Foster-Dublin, council president of Highland Park, New Jersey; Ann-Marie Adams, editor and publisher of The Hartford Guardian and former Grenadian Ambassador Denis Antoine, the weekly newspaper editor will elaborate on a discussion which begun last year when the New York Times published an article about the Labor Day revelry along Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway.
Reportedly, the article quoted members of the New York Police Department who expressed hostility towards the revelers.
“Drop a bomb and wipe them all out” reflected the opinion of some of the police officers.
The luncheon plenary will examine the aftermath of the story and discuss ways to keep the community and the NYPD accountable.
Besides the plenary session, the regional conference will hold workshops on watch dogging government at all levels in the Caribbean and the Diaspora in the U.S. and new media.
Presenters and attendees will include journalists from The New York Times, New York Daily News, The Amsterdam News and other regional publications.
Here is a schedule of activities for June 1:
9:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m.: Better Watchdog Reporting workshop.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: John Russworm Excellence Award luncheon.
Luncheon Plenary: Discussion on Dec. 5, 2011, New York Times article.
1:45 p.m.-2:15 p.m.: New Media Reporting workshop
2:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.: Better Watchdog Reporting workshop.
The May 31 opening will be highlighted by a meet-and-greet evening reception.
Founded in 2007, NACAJ allegedly provides ongoing professional educational and networking opportunities for members and advocates’ visibility for regional and diasporic issues.
