The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) last week announced its 2010 slate of exceptional journalists and community leaders to be honored at its 5th Annual Awards Ceremony on Sat., June 12, in the Great Hall at CBS3 Studios.
The event starts at 6 PM.
Nominated by PABJ members and the Philadelphia community, several outstanding journalists will be honored:
• Elizabeth Wellington, The Philadelphia Inquirer – Journalist of the Year
• Jack T. Franklin, photographer, (posthumously) – Lifetime Achievement
• Harold Jackson, The Philadelphia Inquirer – Trailblazer
• Thera Martin Connelly, WURD 900 AM – Community Service
•Two PABJ Scholarship Winners – TBA
Wellington, an Inquirer style columnist, offers a hip, fresh perspective that goes beyond the glamorous runways and trends. She offers insightful commentary on how fashion intersects with everyday life, and frequently writes about First Lady Michelle Obama’s singular style. A Pulitzer Prize nominee last year, she also writes for The Inquirer’s niche publication, “I,” and other special sections.
Jackson, an award-winning journalist at The Inquirer, has been blazing trails in the industry for more than three decades, opening doors for other black journalists to follow in his footprints. Born and raised in Birmingham, Ala., Jackson grew up during the height of the civil rights movement. His life story is one of many “firsts.” He was the first black Alabama news editor for United Press International. He was the first black journalist in Alabama to win a Pulitzer Prize, and he was the first black Editorial Page Editor at The Inquirer. Throughout his career, Jackson has written about race with authority and sensitivity, especially since the election of Barack Obama as the country’s first African American president.
Franklin, who died in 2009 at the age of 87, chronicled black life through the lens of his camera. During a career spanning five decades, he recorded just about everything that impacted African Americans. He was a witness to black history in Philadelphia and beyond, from the historic Uptown Theater to the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Mr. Franklin’s photos appeared in such publications as the Philadelphia Tribune, the Philadelphia Daily News, Jet, Ebony, The Inquirer and The Evening Bulletin. More than 500,000 of Franklin’s images are archived at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Martin Connelly, a veteran broadcaster at WURD 900 AM, has been on a personal crusade to help women transition to life-after-incarceration through her volunteer work with the support group One Day At A Time. She serves as president of the group’s Advisory Board. For the past eight years, she has been a member of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women.
PABJ will award two $1,000 scholarships to area high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in journalism. Proceeds from the awards banquet support PABJ’s scholarship program and its year-round community activities.
Tickets for the event are $55 for general admission and $25 for full-time students with ID. The deadline to purchase tickets is June 1.
Eor- tickets, contact Melanie Bumey at 215-854-2289 or [email protected].
Tickets can also be ordered by sending a check or money order payable to PABJ to P.O. Box 8232, Philadelphia, PA 19101.
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