Griot Drum Awards FAQ

GET OUT THOSE MEDIA AWARD SUBMISSIONS!

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) is accepting entries for the 2010 Griot Drum Awards, which honors the best coverage of people of color.

Winners will be announced in November at the 2010 Griot Drum Awards ceremony.

Who is eligible?
Any individual or news organization in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Polk or Sarasota counties can enter materials published, broadcast or presented between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009. The contest is open to journalists of all ethnicities. Entrants do not have to belong to TBABJ.

How can I enter my work?
All entries must be postmarked by August 2, 2010. Any entry postmarked after that date will be disqualified. Entries should be mailed 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. See following post for information on entry categories.

Is there a fee?
The cost per entry is $25 for non-TBABJ members and $10 for members. Checks or money orders should be made out to the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists and should be attached to each entry form. Checks covering more than one entry from an organization should be made out for the total amount, and a separate note should be attached detailing the exact entries covered by the fee. Cash will not be accepted.

What can I submit?
Entries must focus on subjects concerning people or communities of color and have been broadcast, presented or published within the Tampa Bay area. Individuals and news organizations may submit as many entries as desired. However, only one category is allowed per entry. Entering the same work in more than one category is permitted, for a fee. For example, the cost to enter an entry in two categories is $50 for non-members/$20 for members; three, $75/$30; and so on. Entries will not be returned.

How can I submit my work?
Newspaper. 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).

Television. 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.

Radio. Entries must be on a cassette tape or CD. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number.

New Media. Entries must be submitted on CD, DVD, flash drive or by providing Internet links, with no more than one entry per storage unit. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number.

Photo/Graphics. Entries may include original copies of work, in color. PLEASE be sure to use the correct category number. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Judging and Winners Entries will be judged by 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. Broadcast entries will be judged based on content, production value and impact.

Print entries will be judged on content, readability and impact.
The top three entries in each category selected by judges will be recognized at the awards ceremony in November. The top winner will receive a plaque. Awards will be presented to individuals, groups or organizations.

Judges may elect to choose less than three entries in a category or none at all. More Questions? Call 813.610.1268, or e-mail me at rthrash@sptimes.com.

Best, Rodney Thrash
Co-chair, 2010 Griot Drum Awards
Staff writer, St. Petersburg Times