CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California, is a non-profit, professional organization with 400 members nationwide and four chapters in California.  CCNMA is exempt from income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.

CCNMA's mission is to promote diversity in the news media by providing encouragement, scholarships and educational programs for Latinos pursuing careers in the news media, and to foster an accurate and fair portrayal of Latinos in the news media, and promoting the social, economic and professional advancement of Latino journalists.

CCNMA accomplishes its mission by:

CCNMA was founded in 1972 in Los Angeles, and it is the oldest regional organization of journalists of color in the country.  The association first offered scholarships in 1976 to Latino journalism students, and in 1978 held its first job fair.  In 1979 an executive office was established at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.

CCNMA is widely respected within the industry for its educational and professional programs, which have helped increase the number of journalists of color in the news media.  This includes sponsoring workshops, a scholarship program which has awarded more than $700,000 to more than 700 students, and staging the largest job fair on the West Coast for journalists of color.

CCNMA has received support from foundations and media companies including:  The Robert F. Kennedy Foundation, The Freedom Forum, the Times Mirror Foundation, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times Foundation, McClatchy Newspapers, KABC-TV/ABC, KNBC-TV/NBC, KCBS-TV/CBS, KTLA/Tribune, Fox, Univision, and many other corporate donors.

 CCNMA Scholarship Fund

Since 1976, CCNMA has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to more than 700 Latino students pursuing careers in journalism.  Among the scholarships awarded are the Joel Garcia Memorial and Frank del Olmo Memorial scholarships. For more information, click here

 Journalism Opportunities Conference

Since 1978, the Journalism Opportunities Conference (JOC) has helped pave the way for student journalists of color to obtain their first jobs and for experienced professionals to advance their careers.  The JOC is the largest job fair on the West Coast for Journalists of color.  For more informtion, click here.

 Ruben Salazar Journalism Awards

CCNMA annually recognizes California news media for journalism excellence that contributes to a better understanding of Latinos in four categories: Print, Television, Radio and Photography.  For more information, click here.

  Website

CCNMA provides job postings, application forms and news for its members and supporters on its Internet web site at www.ccnma.org.

 Workshops

CCNMA hosts journalism workshops for high school and college students at CCNMA chapters and at universities throughout California, as well as skills and management training sessions and seminars.

 Chapters

CCNMA has four chapters in California which provide for local networking and professional growth of its members.  The chapters are located in San Diego, Los Angeles, Central Valley (Bakersfield/Visalia/Fresno), and San Jose.  For chapter contact information, click here.