A Night of Innovation at Google Headquarters in DC

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Thank you to Google for hosting NAHJ-DC and opening the door to the world of AI.

Our members learned about Gemini, NotebookLM, and Pinpoint — and how these powerful tools can help journalists work smarter, deepen their reporting, and tell more compelling stories.

The delicious food and drinks made the evening even more special. And to top it off, our members left with free access to the Google Career Certificate Program — six months of professional training (normally $50/month — a $300 perk from Google!).

Noche de Periodistas 2025: ¡What a Night! We Made History 

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Noche de Periodistas 2025 was truly unforgettable — a night that broke attendance records, set a new benchmark for sponsorship support, and showcased the power of our growing NAHJ-DC familia. Our community continues to expand, uplift one another, and create pathways for current Latino journalists and future ones.

A heartfelt thank you to our members, sponsors, and to Ambassador of Perú Alfredo Ferrero for opening the doors of his residence.

The evening was emceed by Ed O’Keefe of CBS News, as we proudly introduced our madame presidenta, Claudia Uceda of TelevisaUnivision, and her exceptional team: María Curi, Vice President – Axios; Angelica Franganillo Diaz, Secretary – CNN; Simone De Alba, Treasurer – WUSA9; and Jason Zaragoza, At-Large Officer – National Press Foundation.

We also honored Felix Contreras, co-host of NPR’s Alt.Latino, with our MVP Award for his remarkable contributions to Latino storytelling and culture.

Our Student Outreach Committee Chair, Priscilla Alvarez of CNN, announced the Fall 2025 Charlie Ericksen Internship Supplement recipient: Maya Rosado — a dedicated student beginning her path in journalism.

Buy tickets now: Noche de Periodistas

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Purchase here: givebutter.com/nochedeperiodistasdc 

The details: 7-10 pm on Oct. 4 at the Unconventional Diner, 1207 9th St. NW. 
It costs $25 for members and $50 for nonmembers.

Enjoy drinks, music, food and a silent auction while getting to know fellow NAHJ professional members and friends.

Let’s celebrate the incredible contributions of DC’s Latino journalists during a critical election year. 

Call for Applications: Fall 2024 Charlie Ericksen Internship Supplement

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The NAHJ Washington DC chapter is now taking applications for the Fall 2024 Charlie Ericksen Journalism Internship Supplement. We will award one internship supplement to an undergraduate or graduate student studying or pursuing journalism in the DMV area this fall.


The supplement provides selected students with $465 and $35 for NAHJ student membership dues (worth $500 total). The winner will also be matched with a mentor who works as a journalist in the DC area.

Requirements:

  • High school seniors, college students or recent graduates
  • Minimum of 2.5 GPA
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the field of journalism
  • Show financial need

The deadline to apply is September 26, 2024.
You can download the application and criteria HERE. 
Email applications to nahjdc@gmail.com

About the supplement:
Our intention is to help students who go to school and live in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. We understand many students intern for free and may not have the financial support to do so. We hope this money will help ease the burden on their families.

We have worked closely with NAHJ founder Charlie Ericksen on how to distribute this money. He has helped launch the careers of many journalists. We honor his commitment to journalism through this supplement in his name.

Newly Elected NAHJ DC Board

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From left to right: Brandon Benavides, Jackie Padilla, Silvia Foster-Frau, Claudia Uceda, Jason Zaragoza, Lucio Villa and Sarah Pineda.

President, Silvia Foster-Frau
Silvia Foster-Frau is a National Investigative Reporter for The Washington Post who writes about how local, state and federal governments are serving this country’s diversifying population. This year, she and her Post colleagues’ reporting on mass shootings and AR-15 style rifles won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, as well as the White House Correspondents‘ Association Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability. Her reporting on police violence against Latinos as the Post’s multiculturalism reporter was awarded the NAHJ Elaine Rivera Civil Rights and Social Justice Award in 2022. Before joining the Post, she was the immigration reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and served as president of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists. She is midwestern and Puerto Rican.

Vice-President, Jackie Padilla
Jackie Padilla is a senior video journalist at POLITICO, as well as current secretary of the NAHJ DC board.

Secretary, Claudia Uceda
Claudia Uceda is a Washington-based network correspondent for Univision TV, and has covered the nation’s capital from the poorest neighborhoods to the highest corridors of power for nearly 20 years. Y habla Español.

Treasurer, Sarah Pineda
Sarah Pineda is a first-gen “no sabo” kid from Southern California and currently works as a social media editor at The Washington Post where she’s passionate about amplifying the stories around Latino communities.

At-Large Office, Jason Zaragoza
Jason Zaragoza is Director of Operations at the National Press Foundation (NPF), where he oversees the foundation’s finances, human resources, and its Annual Awards Dinner. Jason is a fourth-generation Chicano from Southern California and has a B.A. in Political Science from the California State University, Los Angeles. He has been a member of NAHJ DC since 2012. 


Chair of the Presidential Candidate Forum, Brandon Benavides
Brandon A. Benavides is a content producer at NBC4 in Washington, D.C. In his spare time, he teaches at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland – College Park. Benavides visited the European Union and NATO headquarters in Belgium and traveled across Germany as part of the RIAS Berlin Commission in the summer of 2022. Benavides is a Lifetime Member of NAHJ. He joined as a student in 2004. Benavides served as Region 6 Director, General At-Large Officer, NAHJ DC Chapter President and National President. The Emmy Award-winning journalist started his career as a producer at KETK-TV (NBC) in Tyler, Texas. He worked at KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and KSAT12 (ABC) in San Antonio, Texas. Benavides earned his Master of Arts in Communication: Journalism and Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

Chair of Digital, Lucio Villa
Lucio Villa a first-generation Latino, software engineer and web designer. Currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at The Washington Post. Previously worked at Vox Media, San Francisco Chronicle, UC Berkeley School of Journalism, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reporter and La Opinión. Villa is an alum of Cal State Fullerton University, grew up in Compton, CA and with roots from Guerrero, Mexico.

2024 NAHJ DC Board Candidates

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President

Silvia Foster-Frau

Bio: Silvia Foster-Frau is a National Investigative Reporter for The Washington Post who writes about how local, state and federal governments are serving this country’s diversifying population. She is also Vice President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists – D.C. Chapter. This year, she and her Post colleagues’ reporting on mass shootings and AR-15 style rifles won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize, as well as the White House Correspondents‘ Association Katharine Graham Award for Courage and Accountability. Her reporting on police violence against Latinos as the Post’s multiculturalism reporter was awarded the NAHJ Elaine Rivera Civil Rights and Social Justice Award in 2022. Before joining the Post, she was the immigration reporter for the San Antonio Express-News and served as president of the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists. She is midwestern and Puerto Rican.

Why vote for me: As NAHJ-DC’s Vice President, I helped lead the chapter in high-profile briefings at the White House and Congress as well as our record-breaking fundraiser for the chapter last year. I also launched a partnership between NAHJ-DC and the News Literacy Project, where NAHJ professionals spoke with students in Latino-majority schools in D.C. about their careers and how to tell fake news from real news. NAHJ-DC members also translated NLP’s brochures on how to spot misinformation into Spanish so the students could take them home to their families. As President of NAHJ-DC, I hope to strengthen our relationships, mentorships and offerings to the students and aspiring journalists in our area while continuing to expand our organization’s footprint in the D.C. community. With the 2024 election ahead, NAHJ-DC must and will be a vital voice in the pursuit of fair and accurate coverage of our community, and an organization that speaks up to advocate for more Latinos in newsrooms and leadership positions.

Vice President

Jackie Padilla

Bio: Jackie Padilla is a senior video journalist at POLITICO, as well as current secretary of the NAHJ DC board.

Why vote for me: Hello NAHJ family! This year has been incredibly eventful for our chapter. I’m so proud of the growth we’ve seen within just a single year. As secretary, it was important to me that our chapter and its members became more involved in our local community. I spearheaded relationships with organizations including Maiz64, the Washington Capitals, the National Beer Institute, the Distilled Spirits Council, and local artist. I’ve also amplified our social media presence, and mentored numerous students within our community. I’m hoping to keep the momentum going as your next vice president. It’s critical to me that our youngest and newest members are prioritized and our community engagement continues to grow.

At-Large Officer

Jason Zaragoza

Bio: Jason Zaragoza is Director of Operations at the National Press Foundation (NPF), where he oversees the foundation’s finances, human resources, and its Annual Awards Dinner. Jason is a fourth-generation Chicano from Southern California and has a B.A. in Political Science from the California State University, Los Angeles. He has been a member of NAHJ DC since 2012. 

Why vote for me: It’s been an honor to serve on the NAHJ DC Board of Directors for the past two years and to support our chapter leaders’ efforts. I’ve enjoyed seeing so many new faces at our events over this past year and hope to keep that momentum going in the year ahead and do anything I can to support our chapter President and Vice President. We have an amazing community of Latino journalists here in D.C. and need to do all we can to stay connected and support each other. 

Secretary

Claudia Uceda
Bio: My name is Claudia Uceda and hablo Español. I am a Washington-based network correspondent for Univision TV, and I have covered the nation’s capital from the poorest neighborhoods to the highest corridors of power for nearly 20 years.

Why vote for me: I began working in local news while I was in college and still learning English, and I believe my life story and journey will help us connect with the needs of our Spanish-speaking members trying to find their place in the U.S. media. I also mix up a super Pisco Sour.


Karina E. Cuevas
Bio: Karina E. Cuevas is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in print and broadcast, who currently works as a producer for the National Affairs unit at PBS NewsHour. 

Why vote for me: Vote for me because of my attention to detail. I am meticulous and organized in everything I do, from my stories to events outside of work. I was also a member of the NAHJ New England chapter who helped revive it and after the NAHJ New England president for two years, one of the being during the pandemic which brought its own sets of challenges. I bring a unique perspective with me and am always open to ideas from members. 

Sarah Pineda
Bio: Sarah Pineda is a first-gen “no sabo” kid from Southern California and currently works as a social media editor at The Washington Post where she’s passionate about amplifying the stories around Latino communities.

Why vote for me: I’m running for secretary of NAHJ D.C. because I know how important creating and maintaining community is in our industry, and I want to continue to work alongside NAHJ in doing that work. In this role, I hope to use my social media background to build our chapter’s online presence to reach new members and make sure the new generation of Hispanic journalists have a space to connect and feel as supported as I have. Vote for me because I am dedicated to continuing NAHJ’s legacy as a collaborative and inclusive space that fosters unity within our community.

NAHJ DC Chapter Board Nominations

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We’re excited to announce NAHJ Washington DC Chapter elections are right around the corner. This is an exciting moment for someone like YOU to join the chapter board and bring innovative ideas to keep the chapter and perhaps even win the famous NAHJ Chapter Cup!

We will begin accepting nominations now through May 22 for candidates to serve in the following positions: PresidentVice PresidentFinancial OfficerSecretaryAt-LargeYou can find descriptions of each position on our Chapter Handbook (bottom of page 7).


Interested? Here’s how you can qualify to appear on the ballot: 
Make sure you’re a member in good standing as of May 22, which means your dues must be up-to-date. Need to renew? Visit the NAHJ Membership Portal.

All the officer candidates must collect 5 unique nominations from NAHJ chapter members in good standing. Only Regular and Academic members with a regular membership type are eligible to sign and vote for all positions. Associate members are eligible to run, nominate and vote for the At-Large position only.

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS

Submit your nominations by May 22. Only current Washington DC Chapter members are able to see this form, if you’re unable to see the form please contact Brandon Benavides, Washington DC Chapter Elections Chair, brandon.news@gmail.com, to make sure you’re able to submit your nomination.

2024 Election Timeline for Chapter Board Elections:
May 10:  Call for Nominations
May 22: Deadline to submit 5 unique nominations before 11:59 p.m. This is also the Deadline to become a member in good standing and be eligible to vote.
Election: Monday, May 27th to Monday, June 10th at 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this chapter’s election contact Brandon Benavides, Washington DC Chapter Elections Chair at brandon.news@gmail.com. You can also email us at nahjdc@gmail.com with any additional questions.

¡Buena Suerte!

More than 50 members attend White House briefing

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The National Association of Hispanic Journalists – Washington, D.C. Chapter hosted its fourth White House Press Briefing on Tuesday, March 26. More than 40 journalists and ten students were part of the delegation that attended the on-the-record briefing with top Biden administration officials.

“We do not take these briefings lightly. For many of us, this is our first time being present in the Old Executive Office Building for an official briefing,” said Brandon Benavides, Chapter president. “On behalf of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, we are thrilled to be back in the White House for a briefing.”

Monica Alba, White House correspondent for NBC News, and Dunia Elvir, Telemundo 52 anchor and NAHJ Spanish at-large officer, moderated a panel featuring four Biden officials: Isabel Casillas Guzman, Small Business Administrator; Adrienne Todman, Acting Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; James Kvaal, Under Secretary of Education and Tom Perez, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

The journalists in attendance represented broadcast, print and radio including NBC4, Fox5, The Washington Post, El Tiempo Latino, NPR, The New York Times and WTOP among others. Journalists addressed the panel with questions on the housing crisis, the new FAFSA forms and their impact on student debt forgiveness, and other issues impacting the Latino community. 

For the first time, students from George Washington University, American University and The University of Maryland joined the briefing.

“As a student, being invited to a White House Press Briefing is an undeniable honor and privilege,” said Avril Silva, a sophomore at George Washington University and President of the GW NAHJ chapter. “It not only opens my eyes to the inner workings of a press briefing, but it stretches the limits of what I can achieve in journalism.”

– Written by Fabianna Rincon, American University student

NAHJ DC White House Pen & Pad Briefing

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Follow along on Instagram @nahjdc or @nahj for coverage on Tuesday March 26, 2024 starting at 2pm ET.

NAHJ DC co-sponsors 2024 presidential candidate forum with coalition of diverse journalists

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A coalition of diverse journalists is organizing a 2024 Presidential Candidate Forum hosted by the George Washington University School of Media & Public Affair 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.
 
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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 not-for-profit 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.