US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

United States Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte will lead the territory’s delegation to the 2019 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention and Career Fair in Miami this week.

Boschulte will deliver opening remarks at one of the world’s premier gatherings for journalism education, career development and networking opportunities, which draws leaders in journalism, media, technology, business, arts and entertainment and politics.

More than 3,000 of the nation’s top journalists, media executives, public relations professionals and students will gather for the conference from Aug. 7 to 11.

The commissioner joins a distinguished list of headline makers who have addressed the convention in the past, including then-Sen. Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Vice Presidents Al Gore and Joseph Biden, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and former Republican National Committee Chairs Michael Steele and Reince Priebus. Boschulte will focus on the importance of the territory’s tourism and economic recovery plans and strengthening ties with the African American community.

The commissioner will also lead a panel discussion on “African American-Caribbean Connections – Building Bridges and Telling the Stories that Matter.” The panel will be moderated by Charlotte-based WSOC-TV reporter Ken Lemon and include former World Editor of The Miami Herald John Yearwood.

Also attending the convention is Virgin Islands author and filmmaker Peter Bailey, who will screen his film, “Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders.” The screening is the 15th stop on Bailey’s nationwide tour that began on St. Thomas about a year ago. Following the film’s screening, Associated Press writer and frequent MSNBC contributor Errin Haines Whack will host a Q & A session with Bailey.

This year, the Department of Tourism will support the attendance of three students from the University of the Virgin Islands, while the USVI’s Spectrum Band and the Caribbean Ritual Dancers will provide entertainment for convention attendees.

Following the NABJ convention, Boschulte will join USVI First Lady and Economic Development Authority Business Ambassador Yolanda Bryan in Atlanta for a Tourism Ambassadors reception featuring performances by Spectrum Band, musical artist Mic Love and the Virgin Islands Heritage Dancers.