COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming is pleased to announce their sponsorship of the National Association of Black Journalists’ (NABJ) Annual Convention and Career Fair in New Orleans, La. NABJ is an organization comprised of African-American journalists, media executives and public relations professionals who convene every summer for their annual convention which features seminars, workshops and awards.

“We are extremely pleased and excited to be part of such a worthwhile event and to partner with the NABJ Sports Task Force,” said Tim Hinchey, President and CEO of USA Swimming. “This is a great opportunity to engage in conversation on how to showcase the talent of our swimmers while reaching a larger audience.”

During the convention, USA Swimming is sponsoring a meet & greet as well as a panel entitled ‘Hidden Figures: The challenges of covering the black athlete in Olympic sports’ with Olympic medalists Simone Manuel, Cullen Jones and Maritza McClendon. ESPN anchor Michael Eaves with moderate and Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe will also be on the panel to share the perspective of journalists who cover Olympic sports.

“NABJ is honored by USA Swimming's partnership with our association, especially its budding relationship with the Sports Task Force,” said Gregory Lee, Editorial Director of NBA.com and former National President of NABJ. “The working relationship developed with USA Swimming will help our members capture vital stories within the Olympic community.”

In addition to the meet & greet and panel, USA Swimming will host a Swim 1922 booth in the Coffee and Career Exhibition Hall with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s International President, Deborah Catchings-Smith. Swim 1922 is the partnership between USA Swimming and Sigma Gamma Rho, created to increase swim participation and decrease drowning rates within the African-American community by engaging local communities with swimming programming.

Later this month, Sigma Gamma Rho will be the presenting sponsor of the 2017 FINA World Junior Championships in Indianapolis, In., which will feature an early look at young athletes who will vie for positions on their respective nations’ Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 rosters.