Delano Massey
for
AABJ Vice President of Print
At the 2025 MMCA Gala — a night that reminded me why our stories, our voices, and our editors matter. Photo: Malcolm Porter
Championing Accountability, Elevating Black Print Voices, Building the Future
Delano Massey: Building the Pipeline
Appointed in fall 2025 to serve as Vice President–Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), Delano Massey is now running to complete the full term — bringing his editorial vision, national experience, and unwavering commitment to community leadership.
For Delano, the call to serve came in the middle of a storm — shrinking newsrooms, retreating DEI commitments, and a generation of young journalists searching for direction. He didn’t hesitate. With two decades of experience in national journalism and a legacy of mentorship behind him, he stepped into the role with a clear purpose: steady AABJ’s future and rebuild local pathways to power.
Over the past four years, Delano has mentored through the NABJ Leadership Academy, where he is now helping redesign the curriculum to meet this moment. "I believe in building bridges, not just résumés," he says. "That’s why I’m developing a local microsite model — so chapters like AABJ can activate mentors, partner with HBCUs, and stay connected to the national office. We can be a blueprint."
Appointed in fall 2025 to serve as Vice President–Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), Delano Massey is now running to complete the full term — bringing his editorial vision, national experience, and unwavering commitment to community leadership.
For Delano, the call to serve came in the middle of a storm — shrinking newsrooms, retreating DEI commitments, and a generation of young journalists searching for direction. He didn’t hesitate. With two decades of experience in national journalism and a legacy of mentorship behind him, he stepped into the role with a clear purpose: steady AABJ’s future and rebuild local pathways to power.
Over the past four years, Delano has mentored through the NABJ Leadership Academy, where he is now helping redesign the curriculum to meet this moment. "I believe in building bridges, not just résumés," he says. "That’s why I’m developing a local microsite model — so chapters like AABJ can activate mentors, partner with HBCUs, and stay connected to the national office. We can be a blueprint."
Delano Massey speaking with students from the University of Kentucky’s NABJ chapter at the Birmingham convention. Moments like these reflect a lifelong commitment to lifting as we climb. Photo: Errin Haines
“AABJ isn’t just a chapter — it’s a pipeline to power.”
Delano is the co-founder of the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Xchange (MMCX) and a fellow of the Maynard 200, Poynter, and Kiplinger programs. He brings deep editorial experience — from CNN and The Associated Press to Axios — and a track record of guiding teams, shaping equity coverage, and mentoring talent across newsrooms.
"I'm running for Vice President of Print to protect the legacy of Black storytelling, fight for fair newsroom leadership, and cultivate the next generation of print journalists,” Delano says. “Representation alone isn’t enough — we need leaders with backbone, vision, and a proven record of results."
This next chapter for NABJ will demand bold fundraising, visionary programming, and stronger alignment between local chapters and national priorities. Delano brings national leadership experience through his work reimagining NABJ’s SEED student project — transforming it into a fully converged newsroom and a pipeline for young Black journalists. Now based in Atlanta, he brings a fresh perspective and a growing network of local connections — ready to partner, build, and serve. For him, AABJ isn’t just a hub — it’s a launchpad. A place where legacy meets invention, and where the next generation is trained to lead.
Delano doesn’t wait for titles to lead. Before being appointed VP–Print, he initiated a partnership with the Reporters Committee for the Free Press — aligning NABJ with ProJourn, a legal resource network for journalists. That partnership, developed after the Cleveland convention and now being implemented with Regional Director Steve Crocker, is designed to offer NABJ chapters legal checkups, newsroom safety trainings, and expert access to First Amendment protections. It’s the kind of structural support our chapters need — and the kind of work Delano is already doing.
“I’m here to serve — not out of obligation, but because I believe in us,” he says. “This isn’t just a résumé stop for me. It’s a calling. I could spend my time anywhere, but I choose to spend it building AABJ into a chapter that leads, protects, and prepares. That’s the work. And I’m ready to do it.”
Delano is the co-founder of the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Xchange (MMCX) and a fellow of the Maynard 200, Poynter, and Kiplinger programs. He brings deep editorial experience — from CNN and The Associated Press to Axios — and a track record of guiding teams, shaping equity coverage, and mentoring talent across newsrooms.
"I'm running for Vice President of Print to protect the legacy of Black storytelling, fight for fair newsroom leadership, and cultivate the next generation of print journalists,” Delano says. “Representation alone isn’t enough — we need leaders with backbone, vision, and a proven record of results."
This next chapter for NABJ will demand bold fundraising, visionary programming, and stronger alignment between local chapters and national priorities. Delano brings national leadership experience through his work reimagining NABJ’s SEED student project — transforming it into a fully converged newsroom and a pipeline for young Black journalists. Now based in Atlanta, he brings a fresh perspective and a growing network of local connections — ready to partner, build, and serve. For him, AABJ isn’t just a hub — it’s a launchpad. A place where legacy meets invention, and where the next generation is trained to lead.
Delano doesn’t wait for titles to lead. Before being appointed VP–Print, he initiated a partnership with the Reporters Committee for the Free Press — aligning NABJ with ProJourn, a legal resource network for journalists. That partnership, developed after the Cleveland convention and now being implemented with Regional Director Steve Crocker, is designed to offer NABJ chapters legal checkups, newsroom safety trainings, and expert access to First Amendment protections. It’s the kind of structural support our chapters need — and the kind of work Delano is already doing.
“I’m here to serve — not out of obligation, but because I believe in us,” he says. “This isn’t just a résumé stop for me. It’s a calling. I could spend my time anywhere, but I choose to spend it building AABJ into a chapter that leads, protects, and prepares. That’s the work. And I’m ready to do it.”
Here's what I'll do
🔐 Protecting the Press
🧰 Professional Development & Training
🎧 Storytelling Infrastructure
Bring back AABJ’s official newsletter — The Byline — as a dynamic internal and external communication hub.
Use it to:
💰 Revenue & Resilience
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is already here. AABJ must be a place where our members understand it, question it, and lead in it.
🤝 National-Network Integration
🕊️ Honor Legacy, Build Power
🔐 Protecting the Press
- Expand Legal Access via the Reporters Committee for the Free Press (ProJourn) — offering chapter-wide legal checkups, First Amendment training, and access to the RCFP hotline.
- Partner with CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists) to provide digital and physical safety protocols tailored to Black journalists working in high-risk or under-resourced environments.
🧰 Professional Development & Training
- Activate Local Pathways to National Programs like the Maynard 200 Fellowship, Poynter’s Leadership Academy for Women & People of Color, and the Kiplinger Program — including info sessions, alumni meetups, and peer coaching.
- Bring Innovation Tools In-House through workshops with Google News Initiative, OpenNews, and other digital journalism training groups.
🎧 Storytelling Infrastructure
- Launch an AABJ Storytelling Lab in collaboration with audio, video, and newsletter platforms — partnering with organizations like Spotify Sound Up, SPILL, Substack Local or PRX.
- Connect to Public Media Funding via partnerships with Black Public Media, ITVS, or PBS’ POV for Atlanta-based documentary and visual storytellers.
Bring back AABJ’s official newsletter — The Byline — as a dynamic internal and external communication hub.
Use it to:
- Share chapter news, advocacy wins, and leadership updates
- Feature member spotlights and career milestones
- Provide job alerts, resources, and professional development opportunities
- Serve as a bridge between AABJ and NABJ, linking local to national priorities
💰 Revenue & Resilience
- Train Members in Media Entrepreneurship by inviting the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) and Solutions Journalism Network to host sessions on revenue models, grantwriting, and mission-driven growth.
- Tap into Media 2070 and Free Press to explore local campaigns around funding equity, media reparations, and infrastructure support.
- Partner with Onyx Impact and other equity-centered tech organizations to ensure Black journalists are not left behind in the age of AI.
- Host workshops, fellowships, or community briefings on:
- How AI is shaping media and newsroom workflows
- Ethical implications for Black storytellers
- Tools and training to ensure we're building with — not just being built on
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is already here. AABJ must be a place where our members understand it, question it, and lead in it.
🤝 National-Network Integration
- Leverage ties with MMCA, the Diversity Pledge Institute (DPI), the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA), and the MMCXchange to cross-pollinate leadership pipelines, strengthen inclusive hiring practices, and co-create programming that connects AABJ members — especially freelancers and student journalists — to national networks.
- Work with MMCX to offer free or subsidized memberships and build out collaboration pages that showcase Atlanta talent and make our members more discoverable to editors, producers, and hiring managers across the country.
🕊️ Honor Legacy, Build Power
- Make AABJ’s 50th Anniversary Unforgettable — through a multi-platform legacy campaign including oral histories, digital archives, storytelling workshops, and partnerships with HBCUs, museums, and former chapter leaders. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration — it’s a cultural blueprint for the next 50.
Delano Massey with Axios Cleveland reporters Sam Allard and Troy Smith at NABJ 2025 in Cleveland. Selfie credit to Editor-in-Chief Aja Whitaker Moore — proof that newsroom leadership knows how to keep the lens on the people.
Meet Delano Massey
Delano Massey is the Managing Editor of Axios Local, where he leads Midwest coverage and contributes national reporting on justice and equity. A newsroom leader with more than 20 years of experience, Delano has shaped coverage at some of the nation’s most trusted outlets — including CNN, where he led race and equality reporting, and The Associated Press, where he managed public policy and safety coverage across multiple states.
Delano is a frequent speaker and writer on newsroom diversity, editorial integrity, and inclusive storytelling. His commitment to equity extends beyond the newsroom: he serves on the boards of the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Diversity Action Alliance. He is also a longtime partner with the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA), helping drive innovation and inclusion across the media landscape.
As co-founder of the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Xchange (MMCX), Delano works to connect multicultural media professionals with newsroom leadership opportunities.
A dedicated mentor throughout his career, Delano has spent the last four years as a mentor with NABJ’s Leadership Academy — helping guide rising journalists and co-lead the academy’s curriculum refresh to meet the urgent demands of today’s media landscape.
Appointed in fall 2025 to serve as Vice President–Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), Delano is now running to complete the full term — bringing his editorial vision, national experience, and unwavering commitment to community leadership.
An Ohio native now based in Atlanta, Delano is a proud Maynard 200 fellow, Poynter fellow, and Kiplinger fellow. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and King Solomon Lodge No. 8, Prince Hall Affiliated — reflecting a lifelong commitment to servant leadership, community uplift, and institutional excellence.
Delano Massey is the Managing Editor of Axios Local, where he leads Midwest coverage and contributes national reporting on justice and equity. A newsroom leader with more than 20 years of experience, Delano has shaped coverage at some of the nation’s most trusted outlets — including CNN, where he led race and equality reporting, and The Associated Press, where he managed public policy and safety coverage across multiple states.
Delano is a frequent speaker and writer on newsroom diversity, editorial integrity, and inclusive storytelling. His commitment to equity extends beyond the newsroom: he serves on the boards of the National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Diversity Action Alliance. He is also a longtime partner with the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA), helping drive innovation and inclusion across the media landscape.
As co-founder of the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Xchange (MMCX), Delano works to connect multicultural media professionals with newsroom leadership opportunities.
A dedicated mentor throughout his career, Delano has spent the last four years as a mentor with NABJ’s Leadership Academy — helping guide rising journalists and co-lead the academy’s curriculum refresh to meet the urgent demands of today’s media landscape.
Appointed in fall 2025 to serve as Vice President–Print for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), Delano is now running to complete the full term — bringing his editorial vision, national experience, and unwavering commitment to community leadership.
An Ohio native now based in Atlanta, Delano is a proud Maynard 200 fellow, Poynter fellow, and Kiplinger fellow. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and King Solomon Lodge No. 8, Prince Hall Affiliated — reflecting a lifelong commitment to servant leadership, community uplift, and institutional excellence.
What I Stand For
Editorial Integrity at the Center
We must elevate Black storytelling without compromise. I will support members and chapters with resources to strengthen editing, accuracy, and ethics across AABJ platforms.
Pathways to Print Leadership
It’s not enough to be in the room — we must lead the room. I’ll create mentorship and training pipelines to help Black editors rise through the ranks and run newsrooms.
Fierce Advocacy for Journalists
We’ll fight for fair pay, newsroom equity, and press protections — especially for our freelance and local journalists who face the most risk with the fewest resources.
Support for Chapter Publishing Projects
From newsletters to investigations, I’ll help chapters launch and grow member-led publishing — digital and print — to amplify Black voices, locally and nationally.
Data, Impact, and Legacy
Let’s measure our impact — not just in the stories we publish, but in the careers we build, the truths we uncover, and the communities we serve.
Editorial Integrity at the Center
We must elevate Black storytelling without compromise. I will support members and chapters with resources to strengthen editing, accuracy, and ethics across AABJ platforms.
Pathways to Print Leadership
It’s not enough to be in the room — we must lead the room. I’ll create mentorship and training pipelines to help Black editors rise through the ranks and run newsrooms.
Fierce Advocacy for Journalists
We’ll fight for fair pay, newsroom equity, and press protections — especially for our freelance and local journalists who face the most risk with the fewest resources.
Support for Chapter Publishing Projects
From newsletters to investigations, I’ll help chapters launch and grow member-led publishing — digital and print — to amplify Black voices, locally and nationally.
Data, Impact, and Legacy
Let’s measure our impact — not just in the stories we publish, but in the careers we build, the truths we uncover, and the communities we serve.
🧭 Hold the Line. Build What’s Next.
The DEI retreat is real. The Nieman Lab made that plain — fewer jobs, fewer recruiters, and less visible commitment across the industry. But for NABJ, and for AABJ, this can’t be the end of the story. This has to be the moment we dig in, double down, and build for real.
I’m not running to admire the problem. I’m running to fund the work, mentor the next, and protect the power that’s already ours.
🖊️ Endorse. Organize. Vote.
Let’s stop waiting for permission and start building permanence.
📎 Read the Nieman Lab piece
🗳️ Commit to Vote in the AABJ Election
📬 Spread the Word — Share This Campaign
The DEI retreat is real. The Nieman Lab made that plain — fewer jobs, fewer recruiters, and less visible commitment across the industry. But for NABJ, and for AABJ, this can’t be the end of the story. This has to be the moment we dig in, double down, and build for real.
I’m not running to admire the problem. I’m running to fund the work, mentor the next, and protect the power that’s already ours.
🖊️ Endorse. Organize. Vote.
Let’s stop waiting for permission and start building permanence.
📎 Read the Nieman Lab piece
🗳️ Commit to Vote in the AABJ Election
📬 Spread the Word — Share This Campaign
“Our stories deserve more than survival — they deserve investment, protection, and pride."
— Delano Massey
— Delano Massey