BABJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1983 by a group of media professionals with a goal to encourage the employment and retention of journalists of color, provide opportunities for professional development, and offer scholarships and guidance to students considering careers in the media. Since then, BABJ has hosted three regional National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conferences, awarded academic scholarships to journalism students and also awarded professional development stipends to college students to attend NABJ, Associated Press and National Association of Broadcasters events.