The Benedict College Association of Black Journalists has been officially approved for student affiliate status through the National Association of Black Journalists
Pictured from left to right: Samuel Washington, Ellenwood, GA, sophomore; Rhonda Hickson, Lake City, SC, senior; Roman Gardner, Atlanta, GA, junior; Gabrielle Bennett, Denmark, SC, senior; Ava Jenkins, Prince George’s County, Maryland, junior; Aliyah Jones, Phoenix, AZ, senior and Keisa Gunby, Ph. D., advisor.
COLUMBIA, SC – September 6, 2025 – Founded in February 2025, the Benedict College Association of Black Journalists (BCABJ) has been approved for student affiliate status through the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). The NABJ executive board granted their approval during the national conference held in Cleveland, Ohio, commemorating the organization’s 50th anniversary.
BCABJ President Roman Gardner says “I’m beyond excited that BCABJ has officially been approved as a student affiliate of NABJ. This recognition not only validates the hard work our members have put in since our founding, but also opens the door for us to grow, learn , and contribute on a national level. I’m looking forward to all of the opportunities this will bring for Benedict College students who are passionate about journalism and storytelling.”
Two BCABJ executive board members attended the Region III Conference held at Johnson C. Smith University in April. Gardner earned an award for Most Improved during the Student Success Lab sessions.
“I am extremely proud of the work of the members of BCABJ this calendar year. They held elections, represented as #TheBestofBC at their first regional conference and hosted a Women in Media Panel bringing talented television, radio and public relations professionals to our campus,” says BCABJ Advisor Keisa Gunby, Ph. D.
BCABJ is supported by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists, a professional affiliate of NABJ.
For more information please contact: Dr. Keisa Gunby, BCABJ Advisor, Keisa.Gunby@Benedict.edu
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About Benedict College (www.benedict.edu)
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.