The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has approved the request of several of its members in Philadelphia’s request to form a new affiliate chapter.

According to the Philadelphia Tribune, the decision was finalized by the organization’s board on Friday (October 27) with 11 affirmative votes and one abstention at its fall meeting in Philadelphia.  The board of the NABJ also approved new student affiliate chapters at Morehouse College, Langston University, and the University of Oregon.

Michael Days, president of the new NABJ-Philadelphia expressed his excitement in a statement

“We are looking forward to working closely with NABJ to quickly develop a dynamic Philadelphia chapter with strong formal ties to NABJ,” Days said. “That is our legacy. That is our mission.”

“It is important for NABJ to have an affiliate chapter fighting for Black journalists in the fourth largest media market in the country,” NABJ President Ken Lemon added in a statement. “NABJ-Philadelphia brings a new positive energy to the mission. This is a group of local and national leaders with a depth of experience seldom seen anywhere. They will do a great job ushering in a new climate in Philadelphia.”

Ernest Owens, who currently serves as president of PABJ, which had been the chapter NABJ had recognized up until recently, said his organization did not permanently dissociate from the national group.

“We were not happy with their procedures,” Owens said. “At the time we felt we were being coerced into this disaffiliation.” Owens added the creation of the new affiliate is “petty” and is being done in “spite.” He added that the formation of the new chapter affiliate is “petty” and was  done in “spite.”

The creation of the new chapter stems from when Owens announced in December 2022 that the Philadelphia chapter would be leaving the national organization because of the distrust in NABJ’s leadership.

“Until there is a more reputable National President that can represent our needs in good faith, alongside a board that can prioritize principle over personal politics, we have zero confidence in NABJ's current leadership team,” Owens said at the time of the official announcement.

The NABJ and PABJ attempted to come to compromises around their disagreements such as some members accusing the PABJ of “a lack of transparency in financial reports, ageism, endorsements of political candidates, and arbitrary rule changes.”

NABJ suspended Owens in April from being a member of the organization for five years. It was the first time in its history that a member was suspended.

Several members who were not in favor of PABJ’s decision to leave NABJ, including some founding members of the PABJ, formed NABJ-Philadelphia in August.

At the time, organizers of the new chapter informed the national organization of their plan to join it and began the process of becoming a legal group in Southeast Pennsylvania.

NABJ-Philadelphia has a charter membership of 44 people with 13 legacy members,  PABJ founders, early and long-time members, and some former presidents.

In addition to the Philadelphia chapter, the NABJ also approved new student affiliate chapters at Morehouse College, Langston University, and the University of Oregon.