Press Release - Birmingham Association of Black Journalists

NEWS
PRESS RELEASE [Download]

CHAPTER PRESIDENT LARD

For Immediate Release
February 6, 2007
Contact: Marie Sutton
Birmingham Association of Black Journalists
205-540-5552

BABJ ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS

BIRMINGHAM, AL—The Birmingham Association of Black Journalists (BABJ), a chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), recently elected officers for 2007-2008.

The newly elected officers who will serve a two-year term are:
President: Eddie Lard, Editorial Writer, The Birmingham News
Vice President-Broadcast: Steve Crocker, Anchor, Fox 6/WBRC
Vice President-Print: Charles McCauley, Asst. Business Editor, The Birmingham News
Secretary: Charla Draper, Associate Foods Editor, Southern Living
Treasurer: Kathy Times, Investigative Reporter, NBC13/WVTM
Deputy Treasurer: Willie Chriesman, Chriesman & Associates
Parliamentarian: Allison Barnes, Features Asst. Editor, Southern Living

Immediate Past President, Sherri Jackson, Anchor, CBS 42/WIAT, will also serve on the executive board.

Lard, a charter member of BABJ says, “Our organization will strive to build on its past history of promoting both excellence in the journalism profession and community dialogue. We take very seriously our commitment to diversity and to this community.”

“We’ve awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to talented and needy students,” he adds. “In addition, we have sponsored professional development seminars for journalists; our Newsmaker luncheons and banquets have brought to Birmingham prominent speakers, such as Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman astronaut, and Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hero on which the movie ‘Hotel Rwanda’ was based.

“BABJ also partners with other organizations to host candidates forums, and seminars in communities that offer people tips on how to work with the media and how to get their events covered. We will continue to do those things and more,” he concludes.

The organization’s membership includes working journalists at newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, colleges and universities as well as professionals in communications-related fields. Founded in 1983, the organization promotes diversity in newsrooms as well as fair coverage of minority communities, provides mentoring and support to young journalists and awards scholarships to college students pursuing a career in journalism.

The Birmingham Association of Black Journalists is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The National Association of Black Journalists, of which BABJ is an affiliate chapter, is the nation´s oldest and largest association of journalists of color.