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March 2004 KCABJ Newsletter



President's Message

Well it's already two months into 2004, and as we prepare for another year I hope each of you as current members and past participants of KCABJ will understand what your role is as members of the media.

It would be easy to say that you're just that -- a member of the media, whether it may be print, broadcast, public relations or as a college professor. But you are more than just a member of the communications world. You are a very important role model. Many in our Greater Kansas City community look up to you. Regardless of what you may feel concerning the articles or programs you broadcast, people do look to see whether what you and I are saying, printing or broadcasting is worth taking into consideration. Please be aware that people are counting on us regularly to present fair, accurate and honest accounts of what we see and report on regularly.

Also be aware that as a member of the media, you are someone community members look to for answers to questions and concerns that many others may not be able to answer. So take heart. Some of us at times may become discouraged with what we're doing. But people still consider us - the media, the world of communications -- as a powerful tool to help them live out their daily lives. If you or I don't do that job, then who will?

As the president of KCABJ for 2004, I first want to say thank you to all who nominated and voted for me. Of course, I want to commend and thank your past president, Anita K. Parran, for an excellent job she did as president of KCABJ for two years. No doubt, Anita is a woman who is a great administrator. She kept on top of things and challenged us as members of the media to pursue our careers with excellence. Anita, thanks for a job well done.

For those unable to make our recent monthly meeting, we have some exciting plans for 2004. Of course, for those plans to come off with success, it will take everyone's involvement -- not just those who showed up at the February meeting -- to make this a good year. KCABJ members will likely hear from one of the below mentioned committees to help in some way during the year. Please do not hesitate to contact one of the members of the following committees if you are interested in helping on a future project.

The 2004 KCABJ committees are as follows:

  • Finance Committee: Lewis Diuguid, chair; Tracy Allen, Glenn Rice and Jenee' Osterheldt.

  • Student Workshop Committee: Tanyanika Samuels (Print) and April Jackson (Broadcast) co-chairs; Glenn Rice, Masego Wash; Eugene Scott And Lewis Diuguid.

  • Activities Committee: Eric L. Wesson, chair; Alonzo Weston Sr., Lurleen Brinkman, Benita Williams and Jenee' Osterheldt.

  • Media Awards Committee: Anita Parran and Lewis Diuguid, co-chairs; Jeanene Dunn, Eyobond Ita and Tanyanika Samuels.

    I look forward to serving each of you this year, and I hope each of you also will serve and help make KCABJ the continued strong support system that black and other journalists in Kansas City can expect from us. Again, please don't hesitate to give me a call during 2004. Drop me an e-mail, or if you are in the 18th and Vine area just drop into The Call. We'd love having you.

    Peace.

    --Tracy Allen, KCABJ President


    The Membership Meeting

    The dates are set for the 2004 KCABJ Urban Student Journalism Academy. The two-week program will run from June 21 through July 2. The Orientation will be at 2 p.m. June 19 at The Kansas City Star. The location of the workshop will likely be finalized this month.

    It has annually been at Rockhurst University since 1992. However, on advice of its legal counsel, the college is renegotiating all arrangements it has with community groups using facilities at the university. Proof of insurance is required, and fees will be assessed unless Rockhurst University opts to partner with an outside group to co-sponsor a program. KCABJ members are working with Matthew D. Quick, Dean of Students with Rockhurst University, and Sam Mwangi, a professor of journalism at the college, to finalize details to ensure that the academy continues at Rockhurst.

    The location has to be set before applications can be posted this month on KCABJ's Web site and sent to area high schools, college and churches.

    KCABJ President Tracy Allen at the February meeting named four standing committees for 2004 and appointed KCABJ members to them. The 13th Annual KCABJ Media Awards presentation will be Nov. 13.

    Glenn E. Rice reported at the February membership meeting that he is working with the Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, on it and KCABJ co-sponsoring a forum soon for the candidates for governor. Details are being worked out on which candidates will be invited, where it will occur, when it will take place and who will moderate the session.

    The next KCABJ meetings will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20 at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway; 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24 at The Kansas City Star, 1729 Grand Blvd.; 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22 at the Red Vine, a new restaurant in the 18th and Vine district.


    Women in Journalism

    Over the last 10 years the number of women in journalism jobs has increased. However, women only hold 36 percent of the professional positions in newsrooms throughout America. Minority women hold only 15.8 percent of newsroom jobs.


    Covering the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education Anniversary

    A big story in May will be the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education case outlawing legal segregation. The Hechinger News suggests that reporters shouldn't overlook the following points:

  • Ending legal racial segregation did not necessarily improve the quality of schooling for African-Americans.

  • African Americans were not the only beneficiaries from the Supreme Court decision.

  • Racism, segregation and white supremacy did not magically end with the ruling.

  • When judging the progress made from the school desegregation efforts over the last 50 years, consider the degree of segregation in other places such as neighborhoods, churches, the job market and higher education.

  • The inequities of segregated schools included paying for basic services such as transportation costs and new buildings.

  • Part of the story is the resistance then and now to desegregation. There also are implications for other minority groups.

  • The community story is huge. The Supreme Court decision brought about changes that occurred to black schools. Some that were valued community resources were abandoned. The ruling also affected black leadership, interpersonal relationships between students and teachers, and the jobs of black educators. Many black teachers lost their jobs after the decision.



    Jobs and More

  • The Herald-Journal, in Spartanburg, S.C., is seeking a page designer. For more information e-mail Michael Johnson at MikeDwaine@yahoo.com.

  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is seeking a sports editor. For more information call Lewis Diuguid at (816) 234-4723.

  • The Daily Press in southeast Virginia is seeking an assistant sports editor. For more information call Denise Williams at (804) 521-7572.

  • Southern Progress, a Time Warner magazine is seeking a lifestyle assistant, staff photographer, copy writer, associate editor and two copy editors. For more information call (205) 445-6724.

  • The Chicago Sun-Times is seeking an assistant features editor/arts & entertainment journalist. For more information call Diane Hawkins, NABJ copy editing task force chair, (800) 765-4011 e.7132.

  • The Cincinnati Enquirer is seeking a local news editor. For more information send e-mail to damos@enquirer.com.

  • The Casey Journalism Center on Children and Families is sponsoring a national conference March 14-18 titled, ``Condition Critical: Covering Children's Health.'' It will be in the Washington, D.C., area. For more information call (301) 699-5133.

  • The Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism is seeking applicants for its March 10-13 ``Covering Philanthropy and Nonprofits Beyond 9-11'' workshop. For more information call (213) 743-4976.

  • The Washington Post is restructuring its business staff and is seeking reporters and editors. For more information e-mail duttj@washpost.com.

  • KSMO-TV in Kansas City is seeking a research director. For more information send e-mail to jeskew@ksmo.sbgnet.com.

  • The NAMME Albert E. Fitzpatrick Leadership Development Institute will be on March 14-17 in Phoenix. For more information call Garbo Cheung-Jasik at (703) 288-6501.

  • Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is seeking a faculty managing editor for its student newspaper, the Daily Egyptian. For more information call (785) 864-3986.

  • The University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism is offering a Knight Professional-In-Residence Editing Fellowship. For more information call Lewis.

  • The Austin American-Stateman is seeking a reporter to cover the University of Texas system. For more information call (512) 912-2937.

  • Southern Progress magazine is seeking students for its spring, summer and fall internships. Send e-mail to dru_harris@timeinc.com for more information.

  • The 2004 Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism is seeking entries. For more information call (301) 985-4020.

  • The Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism and the USC Annenberg School for Communications are partnering with the Center for Responsive Politics to offer a March 31 to April 3 workshop in Los Angeles on ``Covering Campaign Finance: From the Checkbook to the Ballot Box.'' For more information call (213) 743-4976.

  • The Asian American Journalists Association is offering a free six-day Journalism Camp in Washington, D.C., for high school students interested in journalism careers. For more information call Lila Chwee at (415) 346-2051.

  • The UNITY Student Newspaper Project is seeking professional journalists to help produce the Unity News during the Aug. 4-8 UNITY convention in Washington, D.C. For more information call Linda Darnel Williams at (800) 365-6115 e.4524.

  • D.M.P. Public Relations is seeking interns. For more information call Michele Roy at (484) 373-0808.

  • The Freedom Forum is offering partnerships and initiatives internships. For more information call (703) 284-3932.

  • The Radio and Television News Directors Foundation Broadcast News Management Fellowship program is seeking applications. For more information call (202) 467-5218.

  • Criminal Justice Fellowships are open to journalists who are interested in applying. For more information go to www.justicejournalism.org.

  • The 2004 National Scholarship Applications are available at www.comto.org/scholarship.htm.

  • The Albuquerque Tribune is seeking a high school sports reporter. For more information call (505) 823-3660.

  • The NBC News Associate Program is seeking applications. For more information check out news.associate@nbc.com.

  • Sprint in the Kansas City area is seeking a Communications & Brand Management, Comm Manager I. For more information call (913) 794-2967.

  • The Asbury Park Press in New Jersey is seeking a metro reporter and an assistant metro editor. For more information call (732) 643-4210.

  • The Freedom Forum Diversity Institute will hold a ``Cycle 1: High Intensity Business Coverage'' workshop on April 1 in Nashville. For more information call Wanda Lloyd at (615) 727-1401.

  • The Philadelphia Tribune is seeking a special projects editor. For more information write to IrvRanlo3@aol.com.

  • Coretta Scott King will be among the speakers at the May 3 Regional Leadership Conference Championing Women at the Overland Park Convention Center. For more information on the Women's Lyceum call the Central Exchange at (816) 471-7560.

  • George Sylvie, associate director at the University of Texas-Austin School of Journalism, is seeking judges for the breaking news category of a best-of-Texas contest for the Headliners Foundation. For more information call (512) 471-1783.

  • Students who are interested in sports journalism are invited to attend the ``First Annual Student Media Workshop'' on March 7 in the Liberty Room of the Westin Crown Center. For more information call Tony Hamilton at (630) 516-0661.

  • The Region VII Conference of the Society of Professional Journalists will take place March 26-27 at the KU Regents Center in Overland Park. For more information check out www.spj.org/kcpress.

    KC People

  • KCABJ's membership jumped to 30 with the additions of Anthony Powell, Yvette Walker, Kevin C. Morris, Glenn E. Rice, Robyn J. King, Masego Wash, Kimberly R. Riley, Angela Curry, Ivan Carter, Crystal Lumpkins, Pamela Spencer, Jeanene Dunn, Hannah Dixon Jenee' Osterheldt.

  • Former KCABJ member Rasheeda Childress sends greetings from Riverdale, Md., and a photograph of her son, Eric Zeroun Childress, born Nov. 4, 2003, with a lot of hair and the inquisitive look of a journalist.

  • Former KCABJ President Carlton Houston is leaving Virginia to go to Jackson, Miss. He will be assistant to the news director/executive producer at WJTV, a CBS affiliate.

  • Former KCABJ member Sharon Patterson Egiebor, executive editor of The Dallas Examiner, is the recipient of the 2004 Kaiser Family Foundation Media Mini-Fellowship for HIV/AIDS coverage. Sharon had been an intern at The Call during her senior year at Central High School.

  • KCABJ member Pamela Spencer is a Stars on Grand award winner because of her extra efforts in designing and copy editing the 2003 KCABJ Journal.

  • KCABJ workshop graduate Kara Edgerson is going well at Hampton University. She is a freshman and is on the dean's list.

  • Check out the Feb. 27 issue of The Call. Former KCABJ member Kia Breaux Randall is profiled for her promotion as news editor for The Associated Press in Nebraska.


    KCABJ Membership Application for 2004

    Mail this application with your $20 check/money order to KCABJ, P.O. Box 32744, Kansas City, Mo. 64111. It covers your annual membership dues. Membership entitles you to receive the KCABJ monthly newsletter sent via e-mail or in paper form.

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    (Membership in KCABJ runs from January through December. Annual dues of $20 in the organization has not changed since 1981. It is the lowest of any of the affiliates of the National Association of Black Journalists.)











    2004 Kansas City Association of Black Journalists
    P.O. Box 32744, Kansas City, Mo. 64111

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