Rules and Categories for the Griot Drum Awards

The Griot Drum Awards – Rules and Categories
The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists is calling for entries to its Griot Drum Awards – an awards ceremony designed to honor the best journalism on issues related to people of color in the Tampa Bay area.

Rules and Eligibility
Entries must have been published within the Tampa Bay area, including Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.

Submissions will be grouped by media and circulation numbers. Entries must have been published between January 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. Entries must be postmarked and sent to TBABJ by August 2, 2010. Only one category is allowed per entry. But numerous entries [each with its own entry fee] are permitted.

Each entry must be accompanied by an entry fee of $25 for non-chapter members and $10 for chapter members. Entries must involve issues or concerns related to people of color, especially African Americans. Entries will be judged by other National Association of Black Journalists chapters in other parts of the country, so the contest is open to chapter members and officers of TBABJ, except those serving on the awards committee.

The contest is open to journalists of all ethnicities. Entrants do not have to belong to TBABJ; awards will be presented to individuals, groups or organizations. Instructions for submitting in each category must be followed; each entry must have its own separate entry fee, though entrants can write a single check for all fees.

Judges have the right to choose not to present an award in any category. Finalists will be announced before the awards ceremony, but winners will not be announced until the awards ceremony. Entries will not be returned.

Judging: Entries will be judged by an affiliate chapter of the NABJ. Broadcast entries will be judged based on content, production value and impact. Print entries will be judged on content, readability and impact. Television Instructions: Entries can be submitted on VHS TAPES or standard DVDs only. A series should be entered on one tape and be limited to no more than five stories. Do not use color bars. A five-second slate is permitted. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number. Category number is indicated directly in front of the category name.

TV-1 Spot news: Live and/or packaged coverage of a story on which the reporter had no more than a 24-hour deadline.
TV-2 Non-Deadline Reporting: News story or feature, non-deadline.
TV-3 Investigative/Series: Investigative story or series of no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.
TV-4 Investigative Reporting: In-depth, original reporting by an individual or team of reporters.
TV-5 Community/Public Affairs: Regularly scheduled program, which presents an issue of public interest.
TV-6 Documentary: In-depth coverage of a serious issue that cannot be thoroughly covered in a regularly scheduled newscast.
TV-7 Sports News: Analysis or commentary on a news event or issue.

Print [Circulation 100,000 or more)
Instructions: Entries with loose clippings, poster boards or ringed binders will be disqualified. Entries are best delivered on 8.5” x 11” sheets, either photocopied into this form (preferred) or cut up and taped down. Entries also may be mounted on pressboards. If submission is a series, it must be limited to no more than seven stories. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number [See attached rules and categories].

Category number is indicated directly in front of the category name.
P-1 Deadline/Spot news Reporting: Breaking news story on which the reporter had no more than a 24-hour deadline.
P-2 Investigative Reporting: In-depth, original reporting by an individual or team of reporters.
P-3 Features: Any news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a specific topic or issue, including arts and entertainment.
P-4 Community/Public Affairs: Story which presents an issue of public interest.
P-5 Sports News: Any news article or series devoted to a sports topic or issue.
P-6 Sports Feature: Any feature article or series devoted to a sports topic or issue.
P-7 Commentary: Any editorial, opinion column or commentary article, or cluster of related pieces on a specific topic or issue.
P-8 Criticism: Any arts criticism including analysis and reviews for fine arts, pop music, television movies and any other artistic areas.

Print [Circulation below 100,000]
Instructions: Same as print above 100,000.
PP-1 Deadline/Spot news Reporting: Breaking news story on which the reporter had no more than a 24-hour deadline.
PP-2 Investigative Reporting: In-depth, original reporting by an individual or team of reporters.
PP-3 Features: Any news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a specific topic or issue, including arts and entertainment.
PP-4 Community/Public Affairs: Story which presents an issue of public interest. PP-5 Sports News: Any news article or series devoted to a sports topic or issue. PP-6 Sports Feature: Any feature article or series devoted to a sports topic or issue.
PP-7 Commentary: Any editorial, opinion column or commentary article, or cluster of related pieces on a specific topic or issue.
PP-8 Criticism: Any arts criticism including analysis and reviews for fine arts, pop music, television movies and any other artistic areas.

Radio Instructions: Entries must be on a cassette tape or CD. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number. Category number is indicated directly in front of the category name.
R-1 Spot News Reporting: Live and/or packaged coverage of a news story on which the reporter has no more than a 24-hour deadline.
R-2 Features Reporting: Issue oriented story, that can also be a profile, human interest, slice-of-life or humorous story.
R-3 Documentary/News Series: In-depth coverage of a serious issue that cannot be thoroughly covered in a regularly scheduled newscast.
R-4 Investigative Reporting: In-depth, original reporting by an individual or team of reporters.
R-5 Public Affairs: Story which presents an issue of public interest.

Application for 2010 Griot Drum Scholarship

TBABJ to distribute $5,000 to minority journalism students,
including a first-ever graduate student scholarship award.


POSTMARK DEADLINE FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010

Greetings! It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces its 2010 Scholarship Contest.

TBABJ is excited this year to distribute $5,000 to deserving students of color, pursuing a college degree in journalism. Because of growing demand, TBABJ will give away its first scholarship to a graduate journalism student this year for $1,000. In addition, two undergraduate students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and one undergraduate student will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press. Please encourage all high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest by SEPT. 10, 2010. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

Scholarship winners will be announced this year during TBABJ’s Griot Drum Awards ceremony, taking place in Tampa Nov. 18, at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive. To learn more about Griot Drum, visit www.tbabj.com.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among other communities in the region. We expect our winners to attend a reception before the Griot Drum ceremony and stay for the banquet.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Sept. 10.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-857-4096 or contactkevingraham@gmail.com.

Good luck!



2010 Student Scholarship Application

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010!

All materials become the property of TBABJ and will not be returned.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.


Last Name:_________________ Middle Initial:____ First Name:___________________

Permanent Address:_______________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Permanent Phone Number:___________________ Personal E-mail:_________________

Present Address: __________________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Present Phone Number:_____________________________________________________

Social Security Number:____________________ Are you a U.S. Citizen:___Yes ___No

If not, do you have legal documentation supporting your stay in the United States?______

School Classification for school year 2010-11 (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc):_________

College or University:______________________________________________________
(High school seniors, please name your current school and the post-secondary institution you plan to attend.)

Projected Graduation Date (mm/yy):__________________________________________




II. Please consider the following topic in a 500-word essay:

Analyze the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion. Discuss how you would have covered the story.

Please enclose a photograph and FIVE collated copies of the following:

► Completed Application Cover Sheet

► Essay

► Resume

► Three to six examples of journalistic work (Broadcast journalists may submit a DVD but must note their role in each production, i.e. sound technician, lighting, writer, producer).

Please also include one sealed copy of the following:

► Official school transcript (Must be enclosed in an official school envelope and be stamped by your registrar’s or principal’s office).

► One to two letters of recommendation from faculty, employees or journalists familiar with your career goals.


Mail applications to:

Kevin Graham, Scholarship Coordinator
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
P.O. Box 172092
Tampa, FL 33672

Bay News 9 Job Openings

Bay News 9 has two positions open:

-Reporter/Producer-Bay News 9 in Spanish

This person should be able to shoot and edit, as well as deliver on camera. You will also be called upon to do fill-in anchoring. If you have TV news reporting and producing experience, can write TV news copy in grammatically-correct Spanish and you're bilingual, you should apply. Upload your resume at www.baynews9.com and scroll down to the Jobs tab under the About section. Send your DVD demo to Bay News 9, Attn: L. Ucar, 700 Carillon Parkway, Suite 9, St. Petersburg, FL, 33716. No phone calls, and no online demos, please.

-Senior Producer

Bay News 9 is looking for an experienced senior producer. Candidates must have an oustanding journalistic track record. Three yeras of news producing experience is prefered. Our ideal candidate will combine strong writing and producing skills with the ability to coordinate production and live coverage. If you have experience as a writer producer, you can work as a team player and alone, and you have a proven record of meeting tight deadlines while producing excellent work, Bay News 9 wants to see your resume. Knowledge of ENPS, Pinnacle Vortex and Liquid Edition non-linear systems is a plus. This is not an entry level position. Apply online at www.baynews9.com.

Griot Drum Awards Venue and Date Announced!

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will hold its annual Griot Drum Awards on Thursday, Nov. 18. A reception will be held at 6pm, and the banquet/ceremony will begin at 7pm at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive in Tampa.

Ticket prices have yet to be determined, but will be available for purchase in the coming month.

Griot Drum honors work accomplished during the previous calendar year in the Tampa Bay area that honors communities of color. Entries and entry fees for the ceremony are being accepted through Aug. 2. Winners will be announced at the ceremony on Nov. 18.

Want more information on how to enter a story, TV broadcast package or photograph, or where to send your entries? Contact Rodney Thrash, Griot Drum awards coordinator, at rthrash@sptimes.com.

In addition, TBABJ is offering $5,000 in scholarships to deserving students of color pursuing graduate or undergrad degrees in journalism. Winners will also be announced on Nov. 18. Want to apply? Contact Kevin Graham, scholarship chair, at contactkevingraham@gmail.com.

If you have questions, send us an email at TampaBayABJ@gmail.com.

Bay News 9 Job Opening

Bay News 9 is looking for an "A" block reporter interested in working side by side with Tampa Bay's best photography staff. The ideal candidate should have broken good hard news stories and covered breaking news for the past five years. Anchoring experience is a plus.

Bay News 9 offers a competitive compensation package and an ideal newsroom location.

Upload your resume via the Jobs page on www.baynews9.com and send a DVD demo to: C. Morton, 700 Carillon Parkway, Suite 9, St. Petersburg, Fl, 33716.

TBABJ hosting free career workshop on June 12

Need some help reinventing your career, dusting off your skill set or learning something new?

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists is hosting a career workshop on Saturday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at The Tampa Tribune, 202 S. Parker Street. This interactive workshop will include presentations from a life coach and professionals from Tucker/Hall PR firm and The Poynter Institute.

Refreshments will be provided.

Questions?

Contact Antwan Key, VP of Broadcast, at 850-284-9112.

See you there!

Bay News 9 looking for Media Editor/Audio Operator

If you thrive on breaking news and can handle the pressures of 24-hour news coverage, this job could be for you. Candidates must have at least two years of experience working in a TV newsroom environment, editing daily news content andd operating a control room audio board during live and non-live events.

Applicants with a non-linear editing background and a familiarity with robotic studio camera operation are preferred.

Duties include editing news content, archiving news footage and packages, operating the robotic camera system and enforcing editing protocol within the newsroom and light studio maintenance.

Submit your resume online at www.baynews9.com.