TBABJ holds next meeting on June 5

The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 5 at Estelas restaurant on Davis Island.

We're soliciting entries for the Griot Drum awards, holding a career workshop on June 12, a summer luau and a poetry slam in the fall.

Come out, grab a bite to eat and offer your input. It's always appreciated.

Got questions? Email our membership chair, Nicole Hutcheson, at njhutcheson@gmail.com.

See you on the 5th.

TBABJ calling for Griot Drum entries!

Get out those media awards submissions, because TBABJ is now accepting entries for the 2010 Griot Drum Awards, which honors the best coverage of people of color.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in November.

Any individual in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Manatee, Polk, Pasco or Sarasota counties is eligible to enter material published or broadcast between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. Entrants do not have to belong to TBABJ.

To enter your work, postmark your entry by Aug. 2, 2010. Mail your entries to:

Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
c/o Rodney Thrash, Griot Drum Awards co-chair
710 Court Street
Clearwater, Fla. 33756

Faxed or e-mailed entries will not be accepted.

The fee is $25 for non-TBABJ members and $10 for members. Checks or money orders can be made out to TBABJ and be sent along with the entry form. Cash will not be accepted.

To submit newspaper work, send entries taped onto 8.5x11 sheets, or mounted on pressboards. TV work: submit VHS tapes or standard DVDs onlym, with no more than five stories. Radio: a cassette tape or a CD. New media: entries must be on CD, DVD or flash drive with Internet links. Photo/Graphics: must be original copies of work in color.

Entries will be judged by an NABJ chapter in another part of the country, so the contest is open to chapter members and officers of TBABJ, except anyone serving on the awards committee. The top three entries in each category will be recognized at the awards ceremony in November, with the top winner receiving a plaque. Judges may elect to choose less than three entries in one category, or none at all.

Questions?

Call Rodney Thrash, awards co-chair, at 813-610-1268, or send him an email at rthrash@sptimes.com. Or, contact TBABJ president Camille C. Spencer at camillecspencer@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance!

Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists selected as finalists for NABJ's Chapter of the Year honors

NABJ Announces Philadelphia and Tampa Chapters

As Finalists for Professional Chapter of the Year

Washington, DC, May 14, 2010 -Today, The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced its finalists for Professional Chapter of the Year -- the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) and Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ). The winner will be announced this summer in San Diego at the 35th Annual NABJ Convention and Career Fair, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

"Both chapters have made extraordinary contributions to NABJ and their home base," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. "I applaud the hard work of their members and leaders, and I'm grateful for all they do, especially during tough times."

PABJ was founded in 1973 by a group of courageous Philadelphia journalists, and it is NABJ's founding chapter. This is the second time in three years that PABJ has been a finalist, winning the honor in 2008. Over the past year, the chapter provided digital training that drew attendees from five states, participated in wide-ranging community service, and offered its members educational programming such as "PABJ @ the Movies," which highlighted the contributions by blacks in film.

"PABJ has always epitomized the finest aspects of NABJ," said Deirdre M. Childress, NABJ vice president-print. "From founders such as Chuck Stone, Joe Davidson, Sandra Long and Acel Moore, this tradition has extended 37 years to today's members who are focused on training, diversity and community service. PABJ remains a leader within our organization. I am proud to call it my home chapter."

Founded as the Suncoast Black Communicators, TBABJ became the Tampa Bay area's affiliate of the NABJ in 1990. TBABJ now represents journalists of color in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, Hernando and Citrus counties in West Central Florida. TBABJ strives to help ensure diversity in media and accurate, balanced coverage of communities of color while serving as a resource for both established and aspiring communicators of African decent. Over the past year, TBABJ has been very active, including serving as the host to the NABJ National Convention, and offering a host of professional programming and community service projects, including a fundraiser for Haiti earthquake relief.

"TBABJ is such a hard working, close-knit chapter. We are truly honored to be in consideration for Chapter of the Year," said Region III Director, Kenneth Knight. "It would mean so much to win this award."

From those who blazed the trail to the ones who fight to make sure our stories are heard, even in the face of adversity, NABJ bestows 12 special honors on journalism organizations, professionals, educators and students committed to exemplary coverage of the black community. The Professional Chapter honor is awarded to an NABJ affiliate for its accomplishments during the eligibility period. Criteria includes, but is not be limited to, the number and size of scholarships awarded by the chapter, the number of new members who have joined the chapter and NABJ, and the chapters community activities and programs.

NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair will take place July 28-August 1 in San Diego, Calif. For additional information, ticket sales, registration, please visit us at www.nabj.org, or contact Ryan Williams at rwilliams@nabj.org or (301) 405-0248.

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