WASHINGTON, D.C. - UNITY 2004 kicked off at the New Washington Convention Center on Wednesday August 4. It is to date, the largest gathering of American ethnic journalists. This being a campaign year, and Unity being a gathering of thousands of people representing communities that are difficult to reach, and these thousands of representatives being people who take spreading information as their livelihood; Unity 2004 has drawn appearances from both John Kerry and President Bush. Secretary Colin Powell, and Connie Chung are also names worthy of mention whom will speak and participate in Unity 2004.

Hosted by Unity: Journalists of Color, Inc., an organization, which represents 7,000 media professionals of color, is a strategic, national alliance comprised of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), and Native American Journalists Association (NAJA).

Asian political leaders are always pushing for the Asian community to network better with other racial minorities, in order to make the Asian voice louder. By bringing together Asian media with other ethnic media, Asian issues are more likely to get enough light to bring them into the mainstream. Unity 2004 alone has helped to make decision makers study up on ethnic issues to reach this year’s attendees.

Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kerry (D-MA) addresses the Unity 2004 Journalists Conference in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

"How can we accept the fact that one of every five Asian-Americans attempting to buy or rent a home faces discrimination?" asked Sen. John Kerry during his address to the journalists of color.

Kerry vowed, “In the first 100 days of my administration I will send congress a reform bill allowing immigrants to earn legalization, and encourage family reunification; while protecting our boarders in ways that are fairer and more effective.”

Unity’s goals are to educate and promote fairness in journalism, both in the news and in the newsroom. Unity 2004 has successfully brought together thousands of journalists, journalism students, media and corporate representatives & executives, political & community leaders, and UNITY supporters from all parts of the country. There are also recruiters and employers who are eager to speak with future influential members of the American media world.