Washington — A coalition of diverse journalists is organizing a 2024 Presidential Candidate Forum hosted by the George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs in September.

Both the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees will be invited to take part in the forum, held at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 12. The candidates will have the opportunity to address the largest gathering of journalists of diverse backgrounds who are covering the 2024 race for U.S. president.

“Bringing together a diverse group of journalists ensures we can engage with the presidential candidates on issues that matter in a country that is only continuing to diversify,” said Brandon Benavides, president of the NAHJ Washington, D.C., Chapter. 

“We all firmly believe diversity in the newsroom is essential to telling the stories of our communities — and telling our communities where these candidates stand on issues important to them,” said Benavides, Forum coordinator.

The forum is sponsored by a coalition composed of the Washington chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, the Washington Association of Black Journalists and the Journalism & Women Symposium. 

"The School of Media and Public Affairs at the George Washington University is honored to host the largest coalition of diverse journalists covering the 2024 presidential election,” said Peter Loge, director of the school. “We are thrilled to invite the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to campus. It is important for our students to see all journalists, of all backgrounds, come together for this historic moment.” 

Details on registration and credentialing will be released at a date to be determined. This will be a private event for verified members in good standing and verified members of the GW community. Space will be limited.

In the heart of the nation’s capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW has the largest number of students of  higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from across the United States and around the world.

The School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) is part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and the only one of its kind in the center of politics and media that explores the interplay of media and politics. 

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in news media. Visit www.NAHJ-DC.org to learn more about our chapter.

The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is an organization of Black journalists, journalism educators, media-related professionals and student journalists in the Washington, D.C., metro area. WABJ, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, provides members with ongoing professional and personal development opportunities and advocates for newsroom diversity, equity and inclusion. WABJ is also a professional affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Visit wabjdc.org to learn more about the organization. 

The Asian American Journalists Association is a membership nonprofit advancing diversity in newsrooms and ensuring fair and accurate coverage of communities of color. It was founded in 1981 by a group of AAPI journalists seeking to support one another and to encourage more AAPIs to pursue journalism. Today, we continue to champion the development of AAPI representation and leadership in journalism through trainings, opportunities, and resources for our members as well as through nurturing and maintaining a network and community of AAPI journalists globally.

The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is a membership organization representing journalists, media professionals, students and educators. Founded in 1990, The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA) works from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ issues. The association also opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members. The Washington, D.C., chapter coordinates social events and professional development opportunities in and around the nation’s capital. Learn more at www.nlgja.org.

The Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) is the premier nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the professional growth and empowerment of women journalists. JAWS advances the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism and advocates for more inclusive coverage of the diverse experiences and cultures that comprise our society.