NABJ Congratulates Member Jeff Ballou on Election to the National Press Club Board of Governors

WASHINGTON (January 2, 2013)—The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) congratulates member and Global Journalism Task Force Co-Chair Jeff Ballou on his recent election to the National Press Club (NPC) Board of Governors.

NPC, known as "The Place Where News Happens” is a private club of more than 3,500 journalists and communications professionals, and has been a Washington institution for more than a century. As one of the nation’s oldest journalism clubs, NPC is dedicated to supporting the ongoing improvement of the profession of journalism.

In Ballou’s new role he joins the governing body of the Club, responsible for the business and affairs of the Club. Ballou’s term to the Board of Governors will be one year, and his committee appointments include House Bar and the Speakers Committee.  On the House Bar committee he will assist in looking after the physical plant, bars and restaurants; and  on the Speakers Committee, he will assist with the selection of NPC Speakers, the club’s most prominent committee.

"NABJ would like to congratulate Jeff on his election and this great achievement,” said NABJ President Gregory Lee Jr. "We are proud to see NABJ leadership at the helm of leadership in other organizations. Jeff will be a great asset to the National Press Club and brings a diverse and global perspective to the table. We look forward to his many contributions and the synergy I am sure he will create.”

Ballou, a producer for first Al Jazeera Network, first joined the network’s English Language Channel in 2006 as part of its pioneer pre-launch hires as a Deputy News Editor.  While at the network, he has been part of a team that has organized coverage of a wide range of stories in Latin America, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 

Ballou has been a journalist for over two decades and has been a part of most journalism mediums on the local, national and now global level.  He’s covered several beats during his career such as the White House, Congress, the State Department and a host of others. 

NABJ wishes Ballou well in his new role. 

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.  

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