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President's Message
With the fall comes the changing of the leaves on the trees, a change in temperature and a change in how long we have daylight hours.
Hopefully, for each of you, changes in the season will also be an opportunity for each of you to think about the impact that you're making in this profession we call the mass media.
I've talked with some of you, and I know that some of you are still plugging along, still tending to the business that you are gifted in. Then there are some of you who are plugging along but with some discouragement and uncertainty. As the change of seasons brings us an uncertainty about what weather patterns we will have to face, the same goes as far as our jobs and lives.
I want to take this time to encourage those who are still plugging away happily to remember the role you play either as a reporter, producer, editor or any other position you might be in. Remember, people are watching you and how you present the news, how you respond to folks, what you say or don't say to others (or about others), has an impact on how people in general, feel towards members of the press.
I also want to take the time to encourage those who are still plugging away but are somewhat discouraged about your jobs. Remember that KCABJ is here for you, and there are members who are willing to listen to your needs when called upon. Remember as KCABJ members we're here for each other. And hopefully, you feel the same.
I also want to remind you that we have a very important meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway. For those who did not attend last month's meeting, we discussed several candidates for the KCABJ Thumbs Down Award, which goes to the person or media or company that has had the most negative impact on people of color in the past year. For your information, we had a tie between two of the candidates. We need for you to attend the upcoming meeting to discuss further who should receive our Thumbs Down Award. Also, you'll learn what we're doing with the upcoming KCABJ Media Awards of which some of you have presented entries. Please attend this important meeting. I know some of you are busy and have other things to do on a Saturday, but to make this year's Thumbs Down Award a collective decision we need each of you at the Oct. 16 meeting at the Watkins Center. So see you there.
Thumbs Down Toss-Up
KCABJ members deadlocked at the September meeting in a tie vote on candidates for the 2004 KCABJ Thumbs Down Award. The recipient is to be announced at the KCABJ Media Awards ceremony on Nov. 13 at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center. The distinction annually goes to the journalist or media that have done the most to set back the image of African-Americans and other people of color.
This year KCABJ received several nominations for the award with supporting material to make the deliberation possible. KCABJ members on each side of the vote felt passionately about the candidates for the 13th Annual Thumbs Down Award.
A new vote will be taken at the October meeting. KCABJ members are encouraged to attend. Persons who want to vote must be paid members of KCABJ before their ballots will be accepted.
KCABJ members at the September meeting picked the winners of the 2004 KCABJ scholarships. They will be announced on Saturday, Nov. 13 at the 13th Annual KCABJ Media Awards ceremony.
The four awards are the KCABJ-Roy Wilkins Scholarship, The KCABJ-Laura R. Hockaday-Kansas City Star Scholarship, the KCABJ-Lucile Bluford Scholarship and the KCABJ-Nancy Diuguid Scholarship. The awards go to the top graduates of the 2004 KCABJ Urban Student Journalism Academy at Penn Valley Community College.
In other action, KCABJ member Eric L. Wesson notified members that a fund-raiser for the organization would begin on Oct. 1 and run through Dec. 15. Members will be able to buy gift packages of Gates Bar-B-Q Sauce. It includes 8-ounce bottles of Extra Hot, Original Classic and Sweet N Mild sauce and two Original Classic and Extra Hot spices. The package sells for $9.50. People who are interested in getting it can contact Eric at (816) 842-3804. They make great holiday stocking stuffers.
Members also were notified that KCABJ is accepting entries for its first student essay contest. KCABJ President Tracy Allen reported that applications have gone to officials in the Kansas City, Kansas City, Kan., Hickman Mills, Grandview and Center school districts. More may be made available to students in other districts. The contest is open to students metrowide.
KCABJ Among Sponsors of Multicultural Education Conference
KCABJ is among the sponsors of the 14th Annual International Conference of the National Association for Multicultural Education. It will take place Oct. 27-31 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel.
Education professionals from throughout the country will be in Kansas City promoting the advantages of multicultural education to improve the educational achievement of all students in the United States.The theme of this year's NAME conference is "Unmasking the Legacy of the Brown Decisions Through Multicultural Education." NAME was formed in 1990, bringing people of all ages and diverse backgrounds together to combat bias, discrimination, prejudice, build equity and social justice. Dr. Omiunota N. Ukpokodu, president of the Missouri chapter of NAME, is chair of the NAME 2004 Conference Committee. Many of the events also willt ake place in the 18th & Vine Jazz Heritage District. For more information about the program call (816) 235-2469.
Opportunities & More
The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education is accepting applications for its new Maynard Media Academy. The program offered in two, nine-day sessions teaches participants the best practices in the business. It's open to first-time newspaper managers from the business or editorial departments. For more information check out www.maynardije.org. Part of the program will be at Harvard University at the Nieman Foundation. The other part will be at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwest University. The Maynard Institute is the nation's oldest in helping the news media increase its diversity in staffing, content and business operations.
The Wisconsin State Journal is seeking applicants for a Madison People Columnist position. For more information e-mail Chris Juzwik at cjuzwik@madison.com.
The Kansas City Star has an opening for a Northland Bureau reporter and a Topeka (Kan.) Bureau reporter. For more information call Anne Spenner at (816) 234-4773.
KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kan., is seeking an account executive, news assistant, main anchor and news reporter. For more information call (620) 231-0400. VIBE/SPIN Magazine has an opening for an online editor in New York. For more information send e-mail to resumes@vibe.com.
Applications are being accepted for the 2004 Sports Journalism Institute's nine-week training and internship program for college students interested in sports journalism careers. For more information check out http://apse.dallasnews.com/sjiapplication.html.
WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., is seeking a Web site producer. For more information call Lewis Diuguid at (816) 234-4723.
KC People