Saturday, July 11, 2026  ·  Houston, Texas Telling Houston's stories since 1989
About HABJ ยท Est. 1989

About & Our History

A nonprofit of media professionals representing every facet of print, broadcast, and online media in the Houston area.

HABJ  ›  About & Our History
Why join HABJ

Your career, your community, your craft.

Black media provides historical context to present-day challenges โ€” and HABJ makes sure Houston's storytellers never stand alone.

HABJ offers innovative training, career advancement opportunities, and advocacy for Black journalists, while supporting the development of visionary content creators across print, broadcast, digital, education, and corporate communications.

Membership benefits

  • Job openings across the Houston media market, before they circulate
  • Invitations to members-only events and mixers
  • Current industry news and advocacy alerts
  • Networking opportunities with Houston's newsroom leaders
Important moments

The HABJ timeline.

1989

HABJ is formed

During a time of increased social activism and political reform, Black journalists organize to protect and restore the place of significant African-American history โ€” and found the Houston Association of Black Journalists.

2005

Scholars Development Program

HABJ founds a program developing the journalistic skills and job-readiness of scholarship recipients while they finish their degrees.

2007

Houston Town Hall Panels begin

Partnering with Rice University to present free annual community forums.

2023

The Sneaker Ball era

HABJ hosts its Annual Scholarship and Fundraiser Gala at the historic Eldorado Ballroom โ€” raising over $50,000 for college students.

Houston's Black media history

The shoulders we stand on.

1893The printed word

The Texas Freeman launches, followed by the Houston Informer (1919), Houston Defender (1930s), and the Forward Times (1960s).

1919Behind the lens

Houston's pioneering Black portrait photographers begin chronicling Black Houston and shaping American history.

1953On the air

KCOH becomes Texas's oldest Black radio station; KTSU brings Houston its first Black FM station in 1972.

Ready to join the byline?

It takes about three minutes to become a member.

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