Aug. 9, 2006

Contact:
Melanie Hall
Finance and Administration Manager
UNITY
(703) 854-3585
e-mail

UNITY Names Onica Makwakwa as New Executive Director

McLean, Va. – UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. today announced that Onica Makwakwa has been appointed UNITY’s new executive director. Makwakwa, who is currently the director of development of the YWCA USA, assumes the position on September 5.

Makwakwa, who has more than ten years of professional experience in the non-profit sector and a strong background in fundraising and event management, will lead UNITY into their next convention July 23-27, 2008, in Chicago that is expected to draw some 10,000 journalists.

"We're thrilled to have Onica as our executive director for UNITY's next stage of growth," said Mae Cheng, UNITY's president and an editor at Newsday. "Her strong organizational skills and broad experience will serve us well."

Prior to working for YWCA, Makwakwa held director positions at other large organizations such as the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the National Council of Negro Women. She received a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa.

“I welcome the opportunity to join an organization that recognizes the importance of collaboration amongst groups of color in order to effect change,” said Makwakwa. “I look forward to working with UNITY partners to advance our shared vision and goals.”

UNITY is made up of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association and the Native American Journalists Association. Its mission is to improve coverage of people of color by dispelling stereotypes and myths and to educate mainstream media on the value and importance of diversity.

UNITY's first three gatherings in 1994, 1999 and 2004 were the largest journalism conventions ever. UNITY '94 in Atlanta drew more than 6,000 participants. UNITY '99 in Seattle drew more than 6,700 attendees. UNITY 2004 in Washington, D.C. brought in more than 8,000 participants with speakers including President George Bush, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell.

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About UNITY: Journalists of Color
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. is a strategic alliance advocating news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenging its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity. UNITY, representing more than 10,000 journalists of color, is comprised of four national associations: Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association.

In addition to planning the largest regular gathering of journalists in the nation, UNITY develops programs and institutional relationships that promote its mission. For more information on UNITY, visit www.unityjournalists.org, email info@unityjournalists.org or call (703) 854-3585.