When thousands of journalists and other media professionals and students pour into town this week for the National Association of Black Journalists conference for the first time in 26 years, there will be a different story to tell about Detroit.

Now in its 44th season, the NABJ convention is the foremost symposium of industry education, career development and networking for black journalists.

About 3,000 people are expected to attend the five-day convention and career fair at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and generate about $10.6 million in direct spending, according to Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau spokeswoman Renee Monforton.

The last time NABJ met in Detroit in 1992, the city was being led by its first black mayor, Coleman A. Young, and dealing with a dwindling population of a little more than 1 million people. After decades of painful decline that resulted in the city's bankruptcy filing in 2013, there's a reason the Detroit chapter of NABJ is telling the world to #MeetMeInTheD.

This year's theme is "#NABJ18: Driving Journalism, Technology & Trust."

Detroit native Jemele Hill of ESPN and Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley are honorary co-chairs for the convention. Hundreds of people in business, politics, film and other headline makers are also expected to make an appearance at the annual gathering, including filmmaker Tyler Perry, comedian and actor Brandon T. Jackson and R&B singer Kem, who will perform at Chene Park on Friday.

The convention kicks off Tuesday evening with a "Diversity in the D" town hall followed by a welcome reception and fundraiser, both open to the public. What follows is a growing list of workshops, activities, events, awards and more for visitors to enjoy in metro Detroit.