The Friday morning edition of First Take on ESPN took place live from the 2024 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention featuring Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim and a lineup of commentators, analysts and special guests. Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver D.J. Moore joined the program, along with award-winning recording artist Chance the Rapper. A live audience was situated inside the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Chicago, which stood to its feet upon Smith delivering an energetic introduction to begin the live program. The show began with applause as Smith and Qerim expressed how much of an honor it was to be on location hosting First Take from the convention.
“I came off vacation,” Smith said. “You know what? I was on vacation, but you know, y’all are more important than a vacation, so I came out here, and dammit it means a lot ‘cause I was having a good time, but I’m here.”
Throughout the Friday edition of First Take, the audience watched the panel debate various topics across professional sports. Smith presented a special edition of “Stephen’s A List” in which he listed the top five sports cities in the United States. Students on hand for the show also had the chance to participate in Q&A segment during the first hour where they asked Smith sports-related questions, including which New York team will win a championship first and who is the most annoying sports fanbase in the world. Later in the show, Smith was asked about the impact of NABJ and the importance of the organization as it approaches its 50th year in existence.
“I think it’s pivotal, particularly in this day and age,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of acrimony, there’s a lot of division, there’s a lot of challenges, and as a result of that, you find yourself fragmented and a bit separated on many, many occasions, and then you come to a place like the National Association of Black Journalism conference, and you’re reminded of what togetherness is all about, how there’s strength in numbers and unity, but the purpose has to be aligned; the agenda has to be aligned.”
Prior to the segment featuring the discussion about NABJ, First Take played clips of Elle Duncan, Malika Andrews and Jay Harris explaining what the organization has done for them. Andrews in particular shared a story of being nervous meeting Michael Wilbon at a convention eight years ago, and now working alongside him on editions of NBA Countdown. Harris added that giving back is what the organization is all about when you reach a certain point, and it is something he considers to be precious.
“NABJ at times has been a career fair for me when I was looking for opportunities,” Duncan said. “Right now, it’s a family reunion, and most importantly, I think what NABJ is is an opportunity for so many Black journalists who typically work in silos to come together and realize they are not in this alone.”
Smith recalled that he attended the conference and met with both The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, two publications that were competing to hire Smith early in his career. The circumstance would not have occurred had it not been for the NABJ platform and if the career fairs did not exist, along with leaders being conscientious of their mission to uplift young, aspiring journalists. Moreover, Smith attributes where he is today to the presence of NABJ and understands the significance of coming together to remember what the organization is about.
“I’m here today because of the people in this audience – the students that are waiting outside for me,” Smith said. “It’s not just for the organization, it’s the platform that the organization provides for youngsters on the come up to be recognized, appreciated, but also schooled on the minefields that lie in wait and what they have to do to get themselves set and ready to achieve the ultimate dreams.”
