PABJ remembers Mal Johnson

PABJ is mourning, and remembering the proud spirit, ingenuity, and legacy of Mal Johnson, who passed away last month at the age of 85. Mal was one of the original founders of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and like many of her group, later help to found the National Association of Black Journalists. Although Mal worked and lived in Washington D.C. during her later years, many of our members will have memories of her from our 2006 Banquet from our 2006 Banquet, where she received a PABJ Trailblazer Award.

PABJ President Monique Oliver shared her memories upon learning of her passing. "Mal was a wonderful person and a 2006 PABJ Trailblazer. She taught me a few things about broadcasting while I talked with her in preparation for the 2006 banquet. I am glad to have known her." Her feelings were shared by PABJ Parliamentarian Melanie Burney, "I'm so glad that we honored her when we did. I wish I had spent more time with her.". I'm sure many of PABJ's membership feels the same. As Monique and Melanie already have, please share your memories of Mal by leaving a personal message or memory about Mal in the comments section.

We'll share some of the best of these at November's meeting.

Mal Johnson

PABJ Founder, NABJ Founder, Friend

More online sources on Mal's Legacy:

NABJ celebrates life of founder Mal Johnson

PABJ 1973 Pioneers

Pioneer Feminist Journalist Dies

Frontrunners Awards (Mal recieved an honor in 2006)

Trudy Haynes Contest

Are you the next Gospel Sensation, Trudy Haynes is looking for singers and choirs to audition for a new television show, if you know anyone who is interested please have them sign up at:
www.nextgospelsensation.com

Harold Jackson moves up at the Inky....

from Philly.com
Harold Jackson, The Inquirer's deputy editorial page editor, was named editorial page editor, overseeing the opinion pages, the newspaper's publisher Brian Tierney announced yesterday (9/9).

More details in today's Philadelphia Inquirer.

The President in Vegas!

The PABJ President that is.....Here's a few Vegas moments shared by Monique Oliver.

More Vegas!

Through a good friend of NABJ, who would prefer to be known only as "NewsDiva01", here are more pics of NABJ 2007 in Vegas!

Melanie at NABJ 2007

PABJ Parliamentarian Melanie Burney shares her NABJ 2007 with the chapter:

A Big NABJ for PABJ!

Childress & Wilkerson elected to NABJ Leadership
By overwhelming vote, PABJ's Deidre Childress was elected NABJ Secretary, replacing outgoing NABJ Secretary/PABJ Member Sarah Glover. The vote was said to be 333 to 236. Share your good wishes & ideas with Deidre at dchildress@phillynews.com

Also, PABJ Member and Mt. Laurel, NJ resident Caleb Wilkerson was formally installed as NABJ Region 1 Director at this year's convention.

PABJ in Action at NABJ 2007.
Outgoing NABJ Board Members Sarah Glover & Melanie Burney celebrated their outgoing with a board announcment that NABJ has gone from a deficit of $468,249 last year to a projected surplus this year of $100,215. TABJ student Renita Burns served as web reporter for the NABJ Student Online Project. PABJ VP Denise James served as a mentor of the student NABJ news broadcasts, Member Sia Nyorkor produced the "good-bye" video package for outgoing NABJ President Bryan Monroe, PABJ Secretary Manny Smith & Member Pharoah Cranston co-produced three NABJ plenary sessions including the candidate forums with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Philadelphia native & longtime WRC-TV anchor Jim Vance inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame.

NABJ in Philly 2011
NABJ's board annnounced that Philadelphia will host NABJ's National Convention in 2011! Thanks to the special efforts of Melanie Burney, Sarah Glover, and Deidre Childress for bringing another convention home!

On the agenda Thursday

*Official opening ceremony
*Panel of prominent journalists on covering the upcoming Presidential election.
*Conversation with Hillary Clinton
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You have new Picture Mail!

See that mist coming from that palm tree? That's how desert folks keep cool, mini fans that spray a cool mist of water. A good idea that we should import.

You have new Picture Mail!

The all-day pool party over at the Flamingo. More cool than it looks, maybe we picked the wrong hotel to host the convention?

Wednesday Wrap-Up

In the convention program book, the first day of programming is noted as "Chapter Day" or by the "Super Workshops", but NABJ veterans know that first days are more for re-connecting and renewing friendships with old friends and colleagues, and making new plans to hang out with them for the week, promises to keep in touch, and for some, planting new seeds of romance.

There's never enough attention placed on those behind-the-scenes folks who plan the events and keep the convention going. This year, many of them are PABJ Members like Sarah Glover and Melanie Burney, outgoing NABJ Board members keeping the "ship" steered in the right direction. Denise James is one of the student project leaders again this year, Sia Nyorkor is producing a video package for one of the award events, and Pharoah Cranston and I are co-producing the Imus and Obama events, along with producing some online elements for both.

Unfortunately, that means an early bedtime for me, but for YOU it means behind the scenes access from the Hillary Session and Opening Ceremony, and a peek at the Career Fair. See you then. Don't forget to leave your coverage comments in the section below!
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More PABJ Sightings include:

Monique Oliver, Denise Clay, Germaine Edwards, fmr. TABJ Member Chantee Lans, Elmer Smith, WCAU's Monique Braxton, KYW's Cesar Aldama, and more
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Las Vegas Monorail arriving at the Convention Station. For only 9 bucks, best way to see and get around town

You have new Picture Mail!

Its just too cool to be able to see the desert & mountain ranges from the hotel room. Glad the AC is working!

You have new Picture Mail!

PABJ Member Pharoah Cranston checks email at the Free Sprint Tech. Lounge. Actually its a tech lounge/train station. Pretty cool!

More Frequent Updates...

Should start to kick in now. Had to work out a few technical glitches, plus Momma Nature kicked in some kinks of her own with the changes in time zones.

Lots' o PABJ People right here in town, Sarah, Sia, Denise, Pharoah...and more.

More of the story in pictures to follow. More complete update later.
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Arrived 30 mins early into Vegas. See US Airways can be a good airlinej

You have new Picture Mail!

So...I THOUGHT I would be leaving from Newark, but flight plans have changed. Now rushing to JFK for a direct flight that hopefully takes off from there.

You have new Picture Mail!

We're departing from Newark Airport....connecting via Pittsburgh...then on to Vegas. Who knew the road to "Sin City" went through the "Steel City"?

And we're off.....

Our trek to Vegas will go by way of NYC, so we'll start early this morning, 5:52 am to be exact. We'll wrap up things at the office before heading west.

Meet our new friend.....

The one that will offer frequent updates from the NABJ Conv. in Vegas beginning Tuesday. Stay tuned Sssshhhhh! Quiet for now, his keyboard needs to rest....

Media Access Workshop 2007

Nearly 75 community members & journalists converged on the Philadelphia Daily News/Inquirer building this past May for our annual Media Access Workshop. Here are some memories of the day as shared by PABJ VP Print Sarah Glover:

PABJ VP Print Denise James and PABJ Member Kristin Holmes check-in guests upon arrival. Each participant recieves a "Media Survival Kit" including a media tip guide, pen, paper, and other "goodies".

Community leaders assembled, and ready for action!

FOX 29 Assistant News Director Leslie Tyler opens the day with reminding the audience that communicating with local newsrooms is not as daunting a challenge as it may seem. You just need the right tools to be effective.

Members of the Philadelphia Black Public Relations Society Kick-Off the first panel of the day, sharing invaluable PR details with the group.

PABJ Members Denise Clay of the Temple Times and Jason Harris of the Burlington County Courier anchor the Print Journalism panel.

PABJ Member (and past-President) Sherry Howard presents our Online Publishing Workshop

The Broadcast Journalism panel included: PABJ VP/Broadcast & 6ABC Reporter Denise James, 6ABC Public Affairs Director Linda Munich, NJN TV Producer Sia Nyorkor, CBS News National Desk Editor Jamal Benjamin, and NJN Radio Operations Manager Pharoh Cranston. The session was moderated by PABJ Secretary/FOX News Assignment Editor Manuel McDonnell-Smith.

Keynote Speaker Bilal Qayuum of Men United for a Better Philadelphia shares his own "insider" tips on effectively using media resources to spread your group's message.

PABJ VP/Broadcast Denise James, PABJ VP/Print Sarah Glover, and PABJ Secretary Manny Smith can only smile as good planning executes into a great event! Sarah chaired this year's Media Access Workshop committee.

More Banquet Memories

as shared through the photo lens of PABJ VP/Print Sarah Glover:

The Party Crowd: PABJ Members Pharoh Cranston, Sia Nyorkor, and Manny Smith. Also joined by Rashidah Smith.

PABJ Trailblazer Elmer Smith celebrates with family & friends.

PABJ Secretary Sarah Glover joins with NABJ Staffer Ryan Williams

PABJ VP Print Denise James and CBS News Anchor Russ Mitchell trade smiles (and story ideas)

FOX News Channel Assignment Editor Manny McDonnell-Smith chats up FOX 29's Leslie Tyler and Bill Vargus

PABJ Treasurer Leha Anderson Ryhens and PABJ Member Germaine Edwards greeted every guest upon arrival

CBS News Anchor Russ Mitchell poses with PABJ President Monique Oliver

Two of our favorite Philly Anchors attend the gala: CN8's Arthur Fennell (former NABJ President) and FOX 29's Dave Huddleston.

The NABJ Leadership Team shows it's support of PABJ's 2007 Banquet of Honors: PABJ VP Print/NABJ Secretary Sarah Glover, NABJ President Bryan Monroe, and PABJ/NABJ Parliamentarian Melanie Burney (also PABJ 2007 Journalist of the Year)

2007 Banquet Of Honors

On Saturday, June 9, 2007, PABJ held it's third Banquet of Honors, for those who missed the evening in person.....here a a few moments captured on film:

Journalist of the Year Melanie Burney poses with the evening's host, FOX 29's Sheinelle Jones

Community Service Award Recipient Orien Reid and Past NABJ President/CN8 Anchor Arthur Fennell pose for the cameras.

Mariska Bogle of The Philadelphia Tribune enjoys the crowd.

FOX 29 Anchor Joyce Evans chats with guests before the event.

Congressman Chaka Fattah, Trailblazer Elmer Smith, NBC 10 Anchor Renee Chenault Fattah and Vincent Hughes enjoy the reception before dinner.

Journalist of the Year Melanie Burney and guests Patricia Kelly (left) and Nancy Crocetto (right)

Coverage of the awards banquet was featured in Tuesday's Philadelphia Inquirer, more from Caroline Stewart here.

More photos from the 2007 Banquet of Honors:

The staff of the "original" WHAT-AM reunite for a special PABJ honor after the station was suddenly closed in a suprise sale earlier this year. The spirit of the African American community lives on!

The "City Avenue" Gang: WCAU-TV staffers Pete Kane and Edie Huggins pose with PABJ President Monique Oliver of WPVI-TV. Both stations are located across the street from each other on Philadelphia's City Avenue. Pete was honored with PABJ's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Former Philadelphia Tribune Reporter Paul Bennett addresses the crowd after recieving his Trailblazer honor.




Former Consumer Reporter Orien Reid accepts PABJ's Community Service honor with PABJ President Monique Oliver, and a representative from Alzheimer's International.

Journalist of the Year, Melanie Burney, accepts her honor after being introduced by fellow NABJ Board Member and Philadelphia Inquirer Staffer Sarah Glover

Scholarship Winner Lisa Short accepts her award from PABJ President Monique Oliver & PABJ Secretary/Scholarship Chair Manny Smith

New Daily News Publisher

Welcome Mark D. Frisby as the new publisher of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Mark is no stranger to the Daily News Staff, as he already has a place in the papers' building at 400 N. Broad Street. Soon after Brian Tierney and a consortium of local owners purchased the newspapers, Mark was hired from NJ's Courier-Post as Executive Vice President of production, labor, & purchasing. Frisby will retain his EVP title as he adds his new Daily News responsibilites.

Speaking to Daily News reporter Catherine Lucey, Frisby said "I think there probably wasn't much focus on the newspaper over the past decade," but added; "I'm looking forward to helping grow this piece of the business,"

More of Catherine's Article on philly.com

PABJ fights Breast Cancer

Near and dear to the hearts of many journalists...are our Mothers. Next to them, the female journalists in our lives.

PABJ joined thousands of Delaware Valley residents who lined Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Mother's Day for the Susan B. Komen Race for the cure. This year, PABJ walked for a special reason. We proudly and humbly walked in honor of our friend and colleague ... Sandra Dawson Long .... A SURVIVOR!

Sandra, a Deputy Managing Editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer is a founding member of both PABJ & NABJ. She chronicled her battle with breast cancer on a philly.com blog. PABJ felt the best way to support Sandra through her battle would be to organize a team for the Komen walk. PABJ & NABJ Parliamentarian Melanie Burney took the charge, organizing the team, and raising over $1,300 dollars for the cause.

Enjoy the pictures from race day below, then follow the link to the full set.
If you have yet to contribute, the team website will accept gifts through June 1.


The team organized at the Inquirer Building before the Walk. Here's Sandra with PABJ members Sherry Howard and Deidre Childress. Deidre is running for NABJ Secretary.



GSABJ member Linda Waller Shockley even joined the PABJ group.


Sandra Joins PABJ/NABJ Parliamentarian/Walk Team Leader Melanie Burney and PABJ VP Print/NABJ Secretary Sarah Glover.



A group shot of the team before the took off on the 5K race.


Sherry Howard seems pumped for the walk....but undisclosed sources say she came in last.


The real meaning of our walk. We proudly and humbly walked in honor of our friend and colleague ... Sandra Dawson Long .... A SURVIVOR! We love you Sandra!