Merri Dee, 30-year veteran of Chicago broadcasting and former evening anchor for WGN-TV Ch. 9, and the late Ed Bradley, George Foster Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist best known for his 26-year run on the CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes, will be in
In Celebration – Merri Dee, 30-year veteran of Chicago broadcasting and former evening anchor for WGN-TV Ch. 9, and the late Ed Bradley, George Foster Peabody and Emmy Award-winning journalist best known for his 26-year run on the CBS news magazine, 60 Minutes, will be inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists’ prestigious Hall of Fame this winter in Washington, D.C. when NABJ joins the national Newseum and its Freedom Forum’s Diversity Institute. The two organizations will celebrate 35 years of working to bring more diverse, fair and editorial independent newsrooms – not only to our nation – but also around the world. Both the Newseum and NABJ have made great advances in the work toward diversity, but recognize that so much more still needs to be done. The Freedom Forum, based in Washington, D.C., is a nonpartisan foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. Other inductees: JC Hayward, one of Washington D.C.’s most respected broadcasters whose Emmy award winning career has spanned more than 36 years as an anchor and reporter at WUSA/Ch. 9, and Ray Taliaferro, veteran radio journalist who for some 25 years has been getting people talking about contemporary American politics during the Early Show on San Francisco’s KGO Newstalk AM 810. The celebration will open with a reception, followed by NABJ’s presentation of its Hall of Fame award winners. The program will also recognize the event’s honorary chair, John Seigenthaler, the Newseum’s vice president for programs, Jack Marsh and the introductory announcement of NABJ’s newest Fellowship awards by Valerie Jarrett, White House senior advisor. The two fellowships will honor and be named for the late syndicated Chicago columnist Vernon Jarrett (who also once wrote for the Defender) and deceased Washington, D.C. broadcaster Maurice Williams, the first African American journalist killed in the line of duty – and is currently enshrined in the Newseum. He was slain during the Hanafi Muslim’s takeover of the city’s District Building when then-City Councilman Marion Barry was almost fatally shot. Themed Honoring the Past, Building the Future, the evening will recognize the accomplishments of five legendary Black journalists who have helped make sense of the world. This special evening will include tributes, entertainment and a celebration of some of the best work in the profession. All proceeds will benefit NABJ, its scholarship and fellowship programs, and its media-training institute. Individual tickets: $450. In Appreciation – Friends, colleagues, entertainers and others from across the country made their way to Chicago and DuSable Museum to help TV mogul, civic leader and veteran visionary Don Jackson, founder, chair and CEO of Central City Productions, celebrate 40 years of innovative, successful developing, producing, marketing, syndicating and managing adverting sales for all of its programs, which are designed to communicate positive uplifting images of Black people all over the world. Some of CCP’s most popular past and present programs include the Bud Billiken Back-to-School Parade (one of the largest parade’s of its kind in the country), Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Trumpet Awards, Black College Quiz, Hispanic College Quiz, Black Enterprise Business Report, Our World with Black Enterprise, Know Your Heritage Game Show, The Making of Black Mayors, The March on Washington Remembered, Best of Stellar Awards, Tribute to the Holidays, NAACP ACT-SO Awards, Minority Business Report, Taste of the Holidays, Kwanzaa Awards, Family Night, Roads to Success, Black History Makers and more. Hosting the special evening which began with “red carpet” arrivals, were Ch. 7’s Cheryl Burton and Jim Rose and Ch. 9’s Bob Jordan; with special musical an gospel performances by Darius Brooks, Vickie Winans and Ricky Dillard & New Generation Chorale. Also paying tribute to Jackson were Col. Eugene, president, Chicago Defender Charities, Jerry Butler, award-winning vocalist, Merri Dee, and senior executive staffers, Rosemary Jackson, vice chair; Emma Davis, president and COO; Dan Davis, national media sales; and Jennifer Jackson, general manager and executive in charge of production. For Women Only! – Mellody Hobson, nationally recognized voice on financial literacy and investor education, regular financial contributor to ABC’s Good Morning America, and the president of Ariel Investments, will share secrets for business success at the 24th annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, presented by the Women’s Business Development Center, on Sept. 22, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. at McCormick Place-West. In an exchange that’s certain to be lively, Hobson will field questions from bestselling author, TV personality and Sun-Times syndicated financial columnist Terry Savage. Also, a Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon honoris successful female entrepreneurs, who’ll share their stories, and supporters of women’s economic development. Newsy Names – CNN’s Harvard-educated news anchor Soledad O’Brien keynotes Chicago Foundation for Women’s 25th anniversary luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. CFW raises dollars to support women’s organizations around Chicago. Visit www.cfw.org … Sandra Gresham-Rawls, first lady of New Mt. Hope Missionary Baptist Church, will be honored by her congregation on Oct. 2 at a Tribute Luncheon at the Lexington House in Hickory Hills. Donation, $35. Call (773) 752-1383 … Congrats to Dara LaJoy Terry, 14, youngest in her class to graduate from the Dow Jones Reporting Academy of Columbia College. Dara attends IIT Math & Science Academy. Proud mom is VLF Development’s senior vice president, Grace LaJoy Little. DJRA is a journalism skills-building and leadership development program for youth and teachers in Chicago Public Schools, housed at Columbia College Chicago. Through workshops, mentoring and the creation of youth-produced publications, the program was designed to build expertise, relationships, skills and opportunities that connect students, teachers and volunteers through journalism, in the process revitalizing youth media in Chicago … Rev. Dr. Alan Ragland, pastor of Third Baptist Church, 95th and Ashland, and Harold Hooper, minister of music, present Men’s Choir in their Annual Men’s Day Concert on Sept. 26, 3 p.m., Troy Yates Jr., retired police officer and a long-time choir member, reminds us … Rev. Patrick Daymond, pastor of Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, welcomes all to share in Sunday’s Special Friends & Family Day service. Gifts to members who bring the most guests to the 11 a.m. worship service. Copyright 2010 Chicago Defender
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