Hispanic journalism convention kicks off in Miami, one of America’s most diverse cities
The lobby in downtown Miami’s InterContinental Hotel on Wednesday was full of people in suits, dresses and other professional attire and many with briefcases and resumes in hand.
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2023 International Training Convention & Expo was officially in full swing with plenty of energy. Founded in 1984, NAHJ has about 4,000 members. The organization supports the professional goals of Hispanic journalists, students aspiring to join the field and journalism educators.
NAHJ President Yvette Cabrera said the convention, which Miami last hosted in 2019, is a non-political event and designed to appeal to Florida’s six million Latino residents. Seminars, panel discussions and a job fair are staples of the media conference celebrating diversity and running through Saturday at the hotel.
With three Florida residents — including Miami’s Mayor Francis Suarez — running for president, there’s certainly a political undercurrent around the city and state. Cabrera said in an interview the conference offers a safe space for Latino journalists to gather and network when two of those three candidates, Gov. Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump, are viewed by many as xenophobic.
“We are living in a time of great challenges,” Cabrera said. “We are facing a climate crisis, a post-pandemic world, and a political climate that is increasingly hostile to immigrants, people of color, and marginalized communities. But I am confident that we can overcome these challenges if we work together to shine a light in dark places. We can expose injustices and examine solutions.”
The spectacle of seeing Latino professionals with thriving careers and gaining greater access to the media industry apparently resonated and encouraged conference attendance. The convention sold out in May with 1,550 people registered.
“I don’t see many Puerto Ricans in [big] media like NBC News or CNN,” said recent graduate Andrea Falche Dominicci, who is attending to help launch her career. “I think it’s really important to see people that look like us to motivate us and our future careers.”
Dominicci, 22, is a recent graduate of Puerto Rico’s Universidad del Sagrado Corazon. Since receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in photography, she’s focused on landing her first job in journalism. She’s encouraged by her prospects at the convention.
“I think the most exciting thing is attending and having interviews with NBC and CNN,” the aspiring journalist said. “I’ve been watching CNN my entire life every morning.”
