John Fountain to keynote African American journalist of faith conference

February 15, 2006

ATLANTA (BlackNews.com)—John W. Fountain, professor of journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and former reporter for the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Washington Post, is scheduled to deliver the Samuel Cornish memorial lecture at the third World Journalism Institute spring conference for African American journalists of faith, April 21 through April 22, at Morehouse College. Fountain is also the author of “True Vine: A Young Black Man's Journey of Faith, Hope, and Clarity.”

The conference draws student and professional journalists of faith nationwide, who will be encouraged and challenged to integrate their Christian faith and journalism practice in an appropriate fashion.

Gracie Staples of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Arnold Lindsay of the Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss., are scheduled to speak April 21, followed by dinner at Paschal's Restaurant with conference convener Anthony Bradley of Covenant Seminary/World Journalism Institute.

The morning sessions on April 22 at Morehouse College include Karima Haynes of the University of Maryland and formerly of the Los Angeles Times, Adrienne Gaines of Charisma magazine and Judy Howard of the Denver Post. Afternoon sessions are scheduled to be led by Mike Paul of MGP & Associates PR, New York City, Mira Lowe of Newsday and Herb Lowe of Newsday. Lowe is the immediate past president of the National Association of Black Journalists.

April 22’s closing dinner will be held at Morehouse College, where Fountain is scheduled to present the annual Cornish lecture.

Also scheduled to attend the conference are photojournalist Kenny Irby of the Poynter Institute and health news producer Marsha Eaglin of Christian Community Health Center, Chicago.

To register, go to www.worldji.com. The cost to attend the conference is $25. Housing, meals, and books are provided by WJI.

WJI's mission is to recruit, equip, place and encourage Christian journalists in the mainstream newsrooms of America. The institute has offices in Asheville, N.C., and New York City.