San Diego Association of Black Journalists

Jerry McCormick is the 2009-2011 president of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists.

McCormick, currently at NBC San Diego, helped found SDABJ in February 2000 and served as the group’s first president. McCormick is an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists in which he served as head of the Copy Editors’ Task Force. From 2003 to 2005, McCormick served as Regional Director for the NABJ on the West Coast.
McCormick is an adjunct professor of journalism at Southwestern College as well.

Denise T. Ward is a director of media relations at the University of San Diego. In this position, she is responsible for media initiatives for the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the social sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ward and her family recently returned to San Diego after spending three years in Yokosuka, Japan.

While in Japan, she served as deputy public affairs officer for Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Naval Base where she led a staff of 11 U.S. and Japanese employees on the daily operation of the Public Affairs Office, including production of a television program, newspaper and two live, call-in talk shows.

During Ward’s diverse career, she has worked as a print journalist, editor, radio news reporter, broadcast television producer, reporter and anchor. Her work with the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Daily Transcript has allowed her to cover a range of issues from higher education to business and sports. She also has done freelance work for National Public Radio Newscast, and continues to contribute to San Diego Family magazine.

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Nadége M. Dougé has worked at the San Diego County Office of Education as a Communications Assistant since January 2006. She joined SDABJ in 2007, and has served as the organization’s community liaison since 2009, receivin the 2009 SDABJ Member of the Year Award.

Nadége is a graduate of California State University San Bernardino where she received a bachelors in both Mass Communications and Public Relations.

Her passion for the news media and public relations grew immensely during her first job out of undergraduate school when she worked for the Macy’s Corporate Office, then known as Robinsons-May in North Hollywood. While working in the Community Relations/Public Affairs department, Nadége was able to write, pitch, and launch the company brand to the news media and community partners. She also helped coordinate several celebrity perfume meet and greet campaigns and store Grand-Openings.

Nadége has worked in the PR industry for 5 years and as part of the Public Relations team for the County Office of Education Nadege has had the chance to interview a wide variety of educational supporters, from the San Diego Chargers Ladainian Tomlinson to the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

Nadége is fluent in French and currently learning to speak Spanish. In addition to Public Relations, she also has a strong passion for the fashion industry. Often time you can find her looking through various fashion magazines and blogging. She is currently embarking on her own fashion business ventures.

When she isn’t working, you can find Nadége singing with her church choir, running at the beach, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Maria Hunt is a food writer and restaurant critic at the San Diego Union-Tribune, a position she has held for the past four years.

Originally from Chicago, she gained an appreciation for good eating from her family, which is full of professional and hobbyist cooks. Her travels to Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico have fostered an interest in foods from around the world.

Maria helped finance her degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism by passing a silver tray for some of the city’s top gourmet caterers, bartending at the Civic Opera House and dishing up Chicago pizza. Her writing has been honored by The Society of Professional Journalists and the San Diego Press Club. She is a founding member and vice president of the San Diego chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, as well as a member of the international jury of Slow Food.

Maria’s writing has appeared in national publications including the New York Times, Saveur magazine, the Chicago Tribune and CODE magazine. During her 12 years as a journalist, Maria has covered everything from city government to the arts to police news.

She enjoys designing jewelry, gardening and entertaining friends at her home in Normal Heights.