Founded in 1988, the First Take High School Journalism Workshop is the New York Association of Black Journalists’ (NYABJ) flagship initiative. This six to eight-week intensive workshop is designed to equip high school students from the New York City metro area with the skills and experiences necessary to pursue careers in journalism. Through hands-on training in writing, reporting, video production, and social media, students gain a comprehensive introduction to the world of media. First Take is entirely free for participants, with NYABJ covering all costs related to meals, transportation, and educational materials.
Mission and Vision
The mission of First Take is to inspire and empower young storytellers from diverse backgrounds, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and journalistic integrity. By connecting students with seasoned professionals from top media organizations like ABC, The New York Times, and Audacy, we ensure that our students are not only prepared for future careers but also motivated to contribute to a more representative media landscape.
NYABJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides meals and covers the cost of transportation for fellows during the workshop. First Take is supported by the generosity of New Yorkers and people passionate about ensuring quality, representative journalism.
In my time at First Take, I also built strong bonds with other students by interviewing them and learning more about their stories and what made them unique. I drafted short news articles and wrote TV reviews, learning to write in shorter periods of time.
My mentors taught me about the foundations of true journalism. I learned about the 1st Amendment (freedom of the press) and the importance of verification, independence, and accountability. Most importantly, I learned that every good story begins with a Who, What, When, Where, and Why.Â
First Take taught me many lessons, including speaking up, flexibility, time management and networking. These are the lessons that made me a better journalist and a better student. These are the lessons I will never forget.
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Growing up, I never received
exposure to journalism as a career
option, so I never considered it a real career option. Despite being
obsessed with Ida B. Wells’
investigative journalism pieces, and
Marcus Garvey and his newspaper,
The Negro World, I just felt like I
could never be them.
Fast forward to my junior year in
high school, I received an email from my school’s sports coordinator about a journalism workshop from the
New York Association of Black
Journalists. I saw it and figured, hey, it wouldn’t hurt to apply, right? I had no prior participation in anything related to journalism so I didn’t expect to get in.
But when I did get in, it changed my
life. It exposed me to the
multifaceted world of journalism. I
listened to the experiences and works of hip-hop journalists, broadcast journalists, podcast journalists, and so many more alongside like-minded students.
 Thanks to First Take, I have a greater hunger for writing and a sense of purpose and I feel I can be the journalist I’ve always dreamt of becoming.Â
When I first logged in, I knew that First Take was where I needed to be. First Take helped me do this and more. It taught journalism and challenged me to explore the things I didn’t understand.Â
My school services teacher recommended the journalism program First Take to me, and I nervously applied, unsure if I would get in due to my apprehensions about my writing vocabulary. Surprisingly,
I was accepted, and from that moment on, my perspective on journalism shifted.
Before attending First Take, journalism wasn’t really on my radar, but now it’s a career path I
seriously consider. Each week at First Take brought a new challenge, whether it was immersing
ourselves in a journalist’s shoes, visiting news stations, interviewing people on the street, or even
exploring The New York Times.
These experiences expanded my knowledge beyond just the surface of journalism. Initially, I was
quite shy and hesitant to engage with others, doubting if my energy would be well-received.
However, as time went on, I found myself connecting with my peers, talking to almost all of them
regularly, and even maintaining these friendships through social platforms.
The people I met at First Take became real friends, and their stories and experiences opened my eyes to different perspectives within the field of journalism. Through these connections, I gained valuable insights and made lasting connections that continue to inspire me.
Moreover, the program taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and the importance of
teamwork. While individual effort is crucial, having a supportive team can amplify your
achievements significantly.
As my sophomore year is closing, I’ve been reflecting on core highlights and stand-out moments that have shaped not only this year, but my identity at large.
I wanted to express immense gratitude to the First Take program. The program gave me the privilege to be able to listen to the voices of Black individuals in the journalism realm, hearing each and every one of their stories was truly empowering.
It has certainly refined my applicable skills outside of journalism, such as writing summary reports, and learning how to approach people properly.Â
The program has also helped me build confidence in getting more active in the Media Team in my school. I am now the leader of the Video Production Sub-Team.
Thank you all for hosting an inspiring workshop!
As a junior in high school, the final stretch before graduation is creepily close and many struggle to sift through the many possibilities to find the fit for themselves. I was among those students.
With great help from my English teacher, I was recommended for First Take as another possibility. I was told to just apply without worrying about the other complications and mental doubt of my ability to get into such a program.
While I applied, and waited to hear from NYABJ about whether I had been accepted, I was sure that my abilities wouldn't fit the candidate criteria. I was wrong.
At First Take, I was given the ability to have an introduction into journalism. That was the most impactful part about the program: its open-minded approach allows its students to feel there are options. Â
My peers and I weren’t restricted by the stereotype that all journalists are just vigorous writers. They are so many more things: audio technicians, public speakers, investigators, quick thinkers, critics. The program felt like a warm and welcoming hug from all journalists.
For me, First Take was the push I needed to remind myself that my goals weren’t as binary as I had painted them out to be. As a cinephile, I learned that by enjoyment of film alone, I could be a writer, audio technician or public speaker.Â
I received constant encouragement, but it was up to me to continue to work toward what I dreamt of. The journalists we met aren’t just teachers but also friends and mentors.
