CABJ Connects ramps up across Canada
His booming voice and refined diction are exactly what you would expect from a national television host who has conducted 3,000 interviews over a career spanning nearly thirty years. Vernon O’Reilly-Ramesar has served as a Station Manager, a Head of Current Affairs and Deputy Head of News for a national broadcaster.
But here in Canada, it all counted for virtually nothing.
Why? Because Vernon earned his impressive radio and television credentials in Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to joining CABJ Connects, a man who once hired journalists for a living had difficulty making a living as a Canadian journalist. Meanwhile, fellow Caribbean media pros who had sought work in the United States were quickly hired by managers more interested in experience than birth certificates.
“That’s always been a uniquely Canadian thing,” says Vernon. “If you know even the advanced aspects of broadcast news from somewhere else, especially if you are unfortunate to come from the developing world, it’s viewed as being not particularly worthwhile, and it’s a major disadvantage. People don’t even want to hear your name.”
With employment options dwindling, Vernon posted his profile to CABJ Connects. Just three weeks later, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation called him for an interview. He is now working as a reporter and web writer at CBC Halifax, and he credits the CABJ for opening doors for him and others.
CBC hired Vernon O’Reilly-Ramesar shortly after he posted his profile to CABJ Connects.
“Obviously it’s primarily a form of networking,” he says. “As one person brings themself up through an association like the CABJ, it brings a whole bunch of other people behind them who can benefit.”
After years of meagre job prospects, Vernon O’Reilly-Ramesar now has more offers than he can handle.
“I got an email from a magazine asking me to write for them, completely based on the CABJ’s website.”
EXPANSION IN THE WORKS
The members database is part of a three-pronged approach to helping Black journalists in Canada through CABJ Connects:
Networking
By 2021, CABJ Connects will host networking events across Canada to bring media managers in contact with the Black talent pool. Who you know can make all the difference in finding a job in this insular Canadian media industry.
Professional development
CABJ Connects will expand its speaker series, giving members a chance to learn from top media professionals while building their skill sets. The speaker series will be a mix of in-person and online training events.
CABJ Connects has become an important destination for media companies looking to add Black journalists to their teams. Sign up at this link today!.
