NABJ names UNC journalism alumnae student journalist, educator of the year

UNC journalism alumnae Averi Harper and Linda Callahan were named student journalist of the year and educator of the year, respectively, by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

Harper, a 2013 graduate, was selected as one of two 2014 NABJ Student Journalists of the Year; she shared the award with Claudia Balthazar. The award usually recognizes one black full-time collegiate journalist who displays a commitment to NABJ's goal of outstanding achievement within the field of journalism. 

"The board of directors spent a long time debating who should be given this award," said NABJ president Bob Butler. "In the end board members felt Claudia and Averi were such outstanding journalists that they both deserved to be honored."

At UNC, Harper was the lead reporter and anchor of Carolina Week. In this role, she won Hearst Journalism Awards and a College Television Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She was named best student journalist by the Radio, Television, Digital News Directors Association of the Carolinas.

Harper, who completed a master’s degree at Columbia University in May, served as president of the Columbia University Association of Black Journalists. In December 2013, she broke a story in the New York Daily News about an anti-black, anti-LGBT hate crime in Brooklyn. While at Columbia, she interned at MSNBC as a digital reporter with "Morning Joe."

"I'm so honored to be named NABJ's Student Journalist of the Year. This award is an affirmation of not only my hard work, but the work of many people who have helped me along the way," said Harper. "I credit my mentor and good friend Kirstin Garriss who introduced me to NABJ in my freshman year, my professors at the University North Carolina at Chapel Hill for giving me the tools to hone my craft and my parents for their love and support." 

Harper is now working as a general assignment reporter at WCTI, an ABC affiliate in Greenville, North Carolina. 

Callahan, a 1974 graduate and a professor in the department of journalism and mass communication at North Carolina A&T State University, was recognized as the 2014 NABJ Educator of the Year for her service, commitment and academic guidance to help increase the number of black journalists in newsrooms.

"Professor Callahan has been preparing the next generation of journalists for three decades," Butler said. "Her dedication is evident with the number of her former students who now portray ‘Aggie Pride’ every day in television, radio, print and online newsrooms."

Callahan has taught journalism at North Carolina A&T since 1996. She coordinates an annual regional workshop, High School Media Day, at North Carolina A&T State University for students in the Greensboro, N.C. area. She founded the program in 1997, in partnership with the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA).

Callahan holds doctoral and master’s degrees in Communication from The Ohio State University. She has taught at The Ohio State University, Alabama A&M University and Elizabeth City State University.

She was nominated by members of the Triad Association of Black Journalists, including 2009 UNC graduate Dioni Wise.

Harper and Callahan will be honored along with other honorees at NABJ's Salute to Excellence Gala Aug. 2, 2014, during NABJ's 39th Annual Convention and Career Fair in Boston.

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.