Student Organization Spotlight: Association of Black Communicators

The Association of Black Communicators (ABC) is a professional student organization whose main objective is to promote the awareness of minorities in the field of Mass Communication. The organization participates annually in conventions with the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) and attended UNITY 2008 which happens every four years. ABC is the only organization expanding throughout the four concentration areas: journalism, public relations, political communication and advertising. ABC emphasizes recruiting, diversity and networking as its three main objectives.

ABC holds general body meetings bimonthly. The first half of the meeting is consumed with business, and the second half of the meeting is devoted to guest speakers who share with members their successes about their careers and give advice based on their personal experiences. This semester ABC has welcomed: CBS Sports Director Mark Grant, Daily Reveille Advisor and former Advocate Reporter Melissa Moore, Manship School Dean John Maxwell Hamilton, Manship School Associate Dean David Kurpius and Manship School Internship Coordinator Mary Ann Sternberg and Professor Jinx Broussard.

ABC also hosts several lunches and events with professionals for members. These are ways members meet and learn from professionals in the field. These events included former White House Correspondent and current CBS News Correspondent Randall Pinkston and Glenn Coleman, KTVT CBS in Dallas local/ regional sales manager, and Carol Frazer, Meredith Corporation senior account manager, Callie Crossley, commentator for NPR and Denver’s 9News Reporter TaRhonda Thomas.

ABC also actively participates in the LSU and Baton Rouge communities. The Organization co-hosted a Real Talk program with the African American Cultural Center and the Black Student Union. ABC also publishes The Communicator, a monthly newspaper focused on LSU’s minority community.