Coming Thursday: the 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet

Can you believe that the 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet, the only locally-produced journalism awards program, is only three days away?

On Nov. 18, at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center in Tampa, the nationally-recognized Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will highlight the best coverage of people of color and honor tomorrow's multimedia communicators.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception. ESPN’s Jemele Hill, one of the few women of color serving as a national sports columnist and TV personality, will headline the 7 p.m. dinner and awards presentation. Since joining ESPN in November 2006, Hill has made regular appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, and Outside the Lines.

Guests from all corners of the bay area are expected to attend this year’s ceremony, which will be hosted by WFLA-Ch. 8 morning anchor Rod Carter and include performances by the Gulfcoast Academy of Performing Arts (formerly the Soulful Arts Dance Academy) and Tampa musical prodigy Caleb E. Sanders.

The best part is that all of this only costs a mere $20 for TBABJ members, $25 for non-members and $200 for a table of 10.

So go to tbabj.com, click on the 'Donate' tab and get your tickets today!

TBABJ appreciates your support!

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rodney Thrash
Co-chair, 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet
Cell: 770.367.9568 (Rodney Thrash) or 248.760.7561 (TBABJ President Camille C. Spencer)
E-mail: rod.thrash@gmail.com or TampaBayABJ@gmail.com

FOUR weeks until the 2010 Griot Drum Awards

We are a little more than four weeks away from the only locally-produced journalism awards program, the 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet!

On Nov. 18, at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center in Tampa, the nationally-recognized Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will highlight the best coverage of people of color and honor tomorrow's multimedia communicators.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring local saxophonist Jonathan Milton. ESPN’s Jemele Hill, one of the few women of color serving as a national sports columnist and TV personality, will headline the 7 p.m. dinner and awards presentation. Since joining ESPN in November 2006, Hill has made regular appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, and Outside the Lines.

More than 200 guests are expected to attend this year’s ceremony, which will be hosted by WFLA-Ch. 8 morning anchor Rod Carter and include performances by the Gulfcoast Academy of Performing Arts (formerly the Soulful Arts Dance Academy) and Tampa musical prodigy Caleb E. Sanders.

The best part is that all of this only costs a mere $20 for TBABJ members, $25 for non-members and $200 for a table of 10.

So go to tbabj.com, click on the 'Donate' tab and get your tickets today!

TBABJ appreciates your support!

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rodney Thrash
Co-chair, 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet
Cell: 813.610.1268
E-mail: rthrash@sptimes.com or TampaBayABJ@gmail.com

And the 2010 Griot Drum finalists are ...

Congratulations to the following broadcast, new media and print professionals whose coverage of people of color earned them spots as finalists in the 2010 Griot Drum Awards contest!

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) will announce winners on Nov. 18 at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive, Tampa.

Tickets, which can be purchased at www.tbabj.com, are $20 for TBABJ members, $25 for non-members and $200 for a table of 10.

Look what that amount will get you: an opportunity to hobnob with bay area media influencers, a pre-banquet reception, a dinner, a keynote address by ESPN's Jemele Hill as well as performances by the Gulfcoast Academy of Performing Arts (formerly the Soulful Arts Dance Academy), Tampa musical prodigy Caleb E. Sanders and local saxophonist Jonathan Milton!

The master of ceremonies will be WFLA-Ch. 8 morning anchor Rod Carter.

So what are you waiting for? Click on the 'Donate' tab on the top right of the tbabj.com and get your tickets today!

THE FINALISTS

Shoshana Walter, The Ledger, Lakeland, one category

Starla Vaughns Cherin, The Florida Courier, Tampa, three categories

Merissa Green, The Ledger, Lakeland, one category

Jenise Morgan, The Florida Courier, Tampa, one category

Charles W. Cherry II, The Florida Courier, Tampa, two categories

Joyce Nanette Johnson, Citilife Magazine, St. Petersburg, one category

Demorris A. Lee, St. Petersburg Times, Clearwater, two categories

Colleen Jenkins, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa, one category

Stephanie Hayes, St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, one category

Michael Kruse, St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, one category

Justin George, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa, one category

Michael Wilson, The Ledger, Lakeland, one category

Scott Wheeler, The Ledger, Lakeland, one category

Mark L. Schreiner, WUSF, Tampa, two categories

Lissette Campos, Randy Wright, Frank Barrera and Jennifer McVan, WFTS-Ch. 28, Tampa, one category

Jackie Callaway and Matt McGlashen, WFTS-Ch. 28, Tampa, one category

Staff, WEDU-Ch. 3, Tampa, one category

Jennifer McVan, Felicia Burton, Gregg Wyckoff, WFTS-Ch. 28, Tampa, one category

Nancy Ryan, Chris Smith and Peter Masa, WFLA-Ch. 8, Tampa, one category

Fred Bellet, Tampa Tribune, Tampa, one category

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Rodney Thrash
Co-chair, 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet
Cell: 813.610.1268
E-mail: rthrash@sptimes.com

View the official Griot Drum Awards promo and buy your tickets!

2010 Griot Drum Awards tickets now available online!

Tickets are now on sale for the Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet, the signature event of the nationally-recognized Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists!

Held each November, it is the only locally-produced journalism awards program that honors coverage of people of color.

The 2010 installment of Griot Drum will be held Nov. 18 at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive, Tampa.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring local saxophonist Jonathan Milton. ESPN’s Jemele Hill, one of the few women of color serving as a national sports columnist and TV personality, will headline the 7 p.m. dinner and awards presentation. Since joining ESPN in November 2006, Hill has made regular appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, and Outside the Lines.

More than 200 guests are expected to attend this year’s ceremony, which will include performances by the Gulfcoast Academy of Performing Arts (formerly the Soulful Arts Dance Academy) and Tampa musical prodigy Caleb E. Sanders. Area high school seniors and college students will be given financial support to pursue their education in the field of journalism.

Proceeds from ticket sales will help TBABJ fund those scholarships. Tickets are $20 for TBABJ members, $25 for non-members and $200 for a table of ten.

Click on the 'Donate' tab on the top right of the tbabj.com and get your tickets today!

See you Nov. 18!

Best,

Rodney Thrash
Staff writer, St. Petersburg Times
Co-chair, 2010 TBABJ Griot Drum Awards
Office: 727.445.4167
Cell: 813.610.1268
E-mail: rthrash@sptimes.com

Griot Drum Scholarship deadline extended to Oct. 10

Do you know a journalism student of color with a tie to the Tampa Bay area?

Might they want some serious $$ for school this year?

They now have until October 10 to do something about it.
...
The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists have extended our Griot Drum Scholarship deadline to Oct. 10. We are giving away $5,000 in scholarships, including one award for graduate students.

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 goal: to help young journalists of color 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 OCT. 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.

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

Tickets now on sale for the 2010 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet!

Tickets are now on sale for the Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet, the signature event of the nationally-recognized Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists!

Held each November, it is the only locally-produced journalism awards program that honors coverage of people of color.

The 2010 installment of Griot Drum will be held Nov. 18 at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive, Tampa.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring local saxophonist Jonathan Milton. ESPN’s Jemele Hill, one of the few women of color serving as a national sports columnist and TV personality, will headline the 7 p.m. dinner and awards presentation. Since joining ESPN in November 2006, Hill has made regular appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, and Outside the Lines.

More than 200 guests are expected to attend this year’s ceremony, which will include performances by the Gulfcoast Academy of Performing Arts (formerly the Soulful Arts Dance Academy) and Tampa musical prodigy Caleb E. Sanders. Area high school seniors and college students will be given financial support to pursue their education in the field of journalism.

Proceeds from ticket sales will help TBABJ fund those scholarships. Tickets are $20 for TBABJ members, $25 for non-members and $200 for a table of ten.

Please complete the order form and return with the total amount to the address listed below.

See you Nov. 18!

Best,

Rodney Thrash
Staff writer, St. Petersburg Times
Co-chair, 2010 TBABJ Griot Drum Awards
Office: 727.445.4167
Cell: 813.610.1268
E-mail: rthrash@sptimes.com

TICKET ORDER FORM

Name _________________________________

Number of tickets _________________

Address _________________________________

Total enclosed _________________

Telephone _________________

E-mail _________________________________

Return to:
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
c/o Rodney Thrash
710 Court Street
Clearwater, Florida 33756

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

TBABJ and Times Publishing Co. announce winners of the 2009 Griot Drum scholarships.

TAMPA, FLA. – The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists and St. Petersburg Times have selected four student journalists with Tampa Bay ties to receive $5,000 through the Griot Drum scholarship program.

Three students will receive a $1,000 scholarship and one will receive a scholarship for $2,000. TBABJ and the Times will honor the 2009 recipients during a reception on Thursday, Aug. 6, which takes place during the National Association of Black Journalists Convention, held this year in Tampa from Aug. 5 thru 9.

Funds for the scholarship were generously provided by the Times Publishing Co.'s foundation.

This year’s 2009 TBABJ Scholarship winners are: Raena Boston, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; Ashley Brandon, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; Carmel Delshad, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; and Eugenio Torrens, a rising junior at the University of Florida.

TBABJ will reveal which student earned the $2,000 award at a special reception at the group's suite in the Mariott Waterside hotel at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6. More details on the event will be posted at www.TBABJ.com.

A committee of local journalists evaluated students based on applications that included resumes, work samples, school transcripts and an essay analyzing the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion.

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists strives to help ensure diversity in area media and accurate, balanced coverage of communities of color while serving as a resource for both established and aspiring communicators of African descent.

Founded as the Suncoast Black Communicators, the group became the Tampa Bay area’s affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists in 1990. TBABJ now represents journalists of color in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties along the Suncoast of Florida.

TBABJ needs your help to find sponsors for our Aug. 7 fundraiser at the Florida Aquiarium

Members and friends of the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists:

I'm writing to ask for your help in the most important event we'll undertake this year: the Aug. 7 scholarship fundraiser during the National Association of Black Journalists' national convention in Tampa.

Planned for the Florida Aquarium, the fund-raiser will serve as a showcase for the Tampa Bay area to the 3,000 attendees expected to show for the NABJ's convention -- typically the largest journalism convention in the country, period. The event will also be open to the general public, allowing for a unique mixing of local notables with journalism stars from across the country.

Past conventions have featured Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, radio personality Steve Harvey, actors Sam Jackson and Jennifer Hudson and civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton. We expect a similarly star-studded array of attendees this year.

Already, we have an amazing list of sponsors on board, including Hill & Knowlton public relations, AMSCOT financial, The New York Times Regional Media Group and Bright House Networks. But we're hoping to line up enough sponsors so that every penny of the cover charge we take in at the door can go straight to our scholarship fund.

That's where you come in.

Please contact me for information on sponsorship levels and details. I'm hoping you'll consider if you know any institutions which might benefit from placing their brand before our amazing audience. We have lots of different sponsorship opportunities -- from helping with entertainment to providing items for gift bags handed out at the event's end.

Please feel free to email or call with any suggestions or to get more information.

Thanks for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Eric Deggans
President, Tampa Bay Assoc. of Black Journalists
Chair, NABJ Media Monitoring Committee
TV/Media Critic, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
(727) 893-8521
www.TBABJ.com

TBABJ partners with St. Petersburg Times to offer $5,000 in scholarships this year

It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces a partnernship with the St. Petersburg Times this year in awarding $5,000 in scholarships to deserving students of color, pursuing a college degree in journalism.

TBABJ and the Times will present one scholarship this year for $2,000 and three scholarships for $1,000.

Please encourage all high school seniors and undergraduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest. Deadline is JUNE 5, 2009 . Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

Scholarship winners will be announced this year during the National Association of Black Journalists 2009 Annual Convention and Career Fair, taking place in Tampa Aug. 5 - 9. To learn more about the convention, visit www.nabj.org .

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Pasco counties on the Suncoast of Florida.

We expect our winners to attend a reception in August at the NABJ convention.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by June 5.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com .

The application is also attached to this e-mail. Please print and post it in a visible area or forward it to potential winners.

To learn more about TBABJ or how you can get involved, visit www.tbabj.com .

Good luck!

Application for TBABJ/St. Petersburg Times 2009 Journalism Scholarships

2009 Student Scholarship Application

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009!

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

All applicants must have some connection to the Tampa Bay area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Pasco counties on the Suncoast of Florida.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Feel free to print out this page. Make sure you include all required items.


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 2009-10 (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

► 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
1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700
Tampa, FL 33602

TBABJ $1,000 scholarship deadline extended to Oct. 22

ATTENTION: Educators, high school students, college students and anyone who knows them:

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) has extended the deadline for its 2008 Scholarship Contest to Oct. 22. That means students of color with some connection to the Tampa Bay area can apply for one of three different $1,000 scholarships we are awarding this year.

Go to the application form, which you can print out, by clicking here.

Please encourage all undergraduate college students and graduating high school seniors of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest by OCT. 22, 2008. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

This year, we will award three $1,000 scholarships to deserving minority college students who are pursuing careers in journalism. Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

In addition to the scholarship, our 2008 winners will receive student membership in the National Association of Black Journalists and TBABJ for one year.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and 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 TBABJ’s annual awards banquet in November.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Oct. 22.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

Good luck!

Eric Deggans
President, Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
Chair, NABJ Media Monitoring Committee
TV/Media Critic, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
http://www.tbabj.com
(727) 893-8521

Application form for TBABJ $1000 Scholarship

2008 Student Scholarship Application -- feel free to print out and mail in!

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2008!

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 2008-09 (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

► 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
1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700
Tampa, FL 33602

TBABJ Now Accepting Applications for $1,000 Scholarship

It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces its 2008 Scholarship Contest.

All high school and undergraduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) are eligible to apply for this contest. Deadline is Oct. 22, 2008. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

This year, we will award three $1,000 scholarships to deserving minority college students who are pursuing careers in journalism. Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

In addition to the scholarship, our 2008 winners will receive student membership in the National Association of Black Journalists and TBABJ for one year.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and 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 TBABJ’s annual awards banquet in the fall.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Oct 22.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

Feel free to print out the application below and send back:

2008 Student Scholarship Application

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008!

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 2008-09 (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

► 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
1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700
Tampa, FL 33602

2006 Griot Drum Scholarship Winners

A May 2006 honor graduate of Henry B. Plant High School,

Shiva Threatts

(left)now pursues her dream of becoming a noted print journalist at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. At Plant High School, Threatts served as music editor for The Pep O’ Plan student newspaper. She is also a Key Scholar, a participant in the National Achievement Scholarship Program, an accomplished pianist and an intern at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Jeanette Hordge

plans to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. A Tampa native, Hordge is a May graduate of Hillsborough High School. While in high school, Hordge juggled a rigorous academic schedule with volunteer and professional activities. She wrote a column for her school’s newspaper, served as host and producer of her own television show, The Diva J Way Teen Talk Show on Tampa Bay Community Network, and co-hosted a radio program on WMNF, 88.5 FM. Hordge attends Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Runner-up

Ryan Jeter

graduated from Freedom High School in May and is a freshman at Howard University. While at Freedom High, Jeter was a staff writer at The Revolution, the school’s newspaper. He won the 2006 Service Above Self Award from the Rotary of Tampa Bay and was named the 2006 Tampa Bay area Boys and Girls Club Student of the Year.