KCABJ Urban Student Journalism Academy

The Kansas City Association of Black Journalists has conducted a student journalism academy since 1982. Every student who attends 
the program leaves with enhanced reading, writing, analytical, communications and questioning skills.
                                                                                                                                             
Teachers and parents have said teens and young adults have returned from the summer academy energized,far more interested and able to learn. 

 

The KCABJ Urban Journalism Academy is free to students. It is a commuter program with a mandatory orientation. Each student is responsible for his or her own transportation to and from the academy each day. Class begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. 
 

To Apply:   1. Write a one page essay on the role people of color should have in journalism. 2. Send one sample of your writing. If possible, something that has been published (e.g. an article in your school newspaper.) 3. We are seeking committed students who are not afraid of hard work and who already have a demonstrated interest in journalism. 4. Mail the completed application, your essay and writing sample to: KCABJ P.O. Box 414014 Kansas City, MO 64141

 

KCABJ Urban Student Journalism Scholarships

The KCABJ-Lucile H. Bluford Scholarship. Ms. Bluford had been the longtime editor and publisher of The Call of Kansas City. She continued in that job until she died in June 2003 at age 91. Ms. Bluford used the pages of The Call to promote civil rights and helped open journalism more to people of color.

The KCABJ-Roy Wilkins Scholarship has been awarded since 1987. It is named after a former editor of The Call of Kansas City, Roy Wilkins, who also served as head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People during the Civil Rights Movement.

The KCABJ-Laura R. Hockaday Scholarship is named after Laura Hockaday, who until she retired in 2000 was the longtime society editor of The Kansas City Star. Hockaday has received numerous awards for making her work for the newspaper inclusive of the racial, ethnic, gender and other diversity in Greater Kansas City.

The KCABJ-Nancy Diuguid Scholarship is funded by longtime KCABJ Treasurer Lewis Diuguid. The scholarship is named for his mother, who died in 1994 of Alzheimer’s disease. Nancy Diuguid had longed to be a journalist, but such career options were mostly closed to young black women in the 1950s.
 

Student Journalism Workshop Application 
 

Scholarships

Students selected for the workshop will compete for scholarships offered by KCABJ. The awards go to the best students in the class. 
The class size will be limited to 12. Many of our graduates are award-winning journalists today. 

Each scholarship award is based on the student's performance during the journalism academy.