Junior DeAntae Prince attended the National Association of Black Journalists' conference in August. Here's his report on the trip:

My trip to Las Vegas was an informative one for me. Stephen A. Smith and so many other professionals gave words of wisdom during their speeches and in casual conversation. Their words were ones that I plan to carry with me throughout the rest of my journalistic career.

The Stephen A. Smith speech was an inspiring one. He talked about how he and his contemporaries made it to the top and how the younger people can learn from them and take over in the future. He stressed so many morals and ideas that I agree with. He gave a seven step program that is a guide to a successful career. Two of those skills were to always have integrity and to be hard working, which are two things that I pride myself in being.

Throughout my time in Las Vegas I met so many good people with fresh ideas and insight that I’ve been able to learn from. I left the conference inspired by my peers and by the professionals who offered up so much knowledge that I will be able to carry with me back to Indiana. This conference has truly affected me and I plan to apply all that I learned in my work.

I really enjoyed myself at the conference but it didn’t really hit home where my experience stood until I got on the plane to leave Las Vegas. As I was reading William C. Rhoden’s book, Forty Million Dollar Slaves, that I purchased at the conference, the words that he spoke about sports past helped me to further appreciate my involvement with such a revolutionary organization.

I say this about my involvement because Rhoden’s words reminded me that only 40 to 50 years ago, my trip to Las Vegas wouldn’t even be possible because of racial boundaries that people faced in those times that were certainly more racially charged than today. His words also helped me to appreciate the position that I’m in, being a student at a Big Ten school on a funded trip in a time where there are more African American males going to prison than graduating from institutions of higher learning.

The fact that I could be involved in such an organization and convention where I was able to hear so many informed and educated African Americans speak about topics that were important to me and where I want to take my career is something that I really appreciate. I want to thank Indiana University and especially (School of Journalism Career Services Director) Marcia Debnam for being able to attend this year’s NABJ Convention in Las Vegas.

Read Savannah Worley's report.

Learn more about the NABJ conference.