The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the NABJSports Task Force is pleased to announce that Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has contributed $100,000 toward the NABJ COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist both sports and non-sports journalists whose jobs have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation was made in honor of two former Dallas Mavericks beat writers, Roger B. Brown and Martin McNeal, who each passed away recently.

“NABJ is excited to partner with Mark Cuban to help strengthen the industry by investing in Black journalists who are in transition during this critical time,” said NABJPresident Dorothy Tucker. “We are proud of the work our members and colleagues are doing to tell the important stories impacting our communities as a result of COVID-19. We are grateful for the hard work and advocacy of the Sports Task Force in helping to extend NABJ’s reach across the industry and beyond.”

“On behalf of theNABJSports Task Force, we are honored that Mark Cuban has stepped up in such a meaningful, impactful way at a time when so many are in need,” said

A. Sherrod Blakely, chair of theNABJSports Task Force. “Just as the COVID-19 virus has significantly impacted the health of people of color, it’s impact has also been felt in terms of jobs lost or furloughed within our industry.”

Additional information about contributing to the NABJ COVID-19 Relief Fund can be found here.

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The NABJ Sports Task Force, established in 1987, is the nation’s largest group of journalists of color in sports. Its mission is to promote diversity in America’s sports departments and provide programming, scholarships and on-the-job experience through internships in developing the next wave of sports journalists.

For additional information, visit https://www.nabjsportstaskforce.com/ or the Sports Task Force YouTube channel for industry-related content such as our “Innovations In Isolation” webinar series.

Founded by 44 men and women in 1975, in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation. It provides advocacy, career development, educational training, scholarships, fellowships and other support for its members worldwide. For additional information, please visitwww.nabj.org. View NABJ’s webinar series here.

Media Contact:

press@nabj.org