TBABJ to distribute $5,000 to minority journalism students,
including a first-ever graduate student scholarship award.


POSTMARK DEADLINE FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010

Greetings! It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces its 2010 Scholarship Contest.

TBABJ is excited this year to distribute $5,000 to deserving students of color, pursuing a college degree in journalism. Because of growing demand, TBABJ will give away its first scholarship to a graduate journalism student this year for $1,000. In addition, two undergraduate students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and one undergraduate student will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press. Please encourage all high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest by SEPT. 10, 2010. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

Scholarship winners will be announced this year during TBABJ’s Griot Drum Awards ceremony, taking place in Tampa Nov. 18, at the Dr. Blaise F. Alfano Conference & Banquet Center, 11606 McKinley Drive. To learn more about Griot Drum, visit www.tbabj.com.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among other communities in the region. We expect our winners to attend a reception before the Griot Drum ceremony and stay for the banquet.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Sept. 10.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-857-4096 or contactkevingraham@gmail.com.

Good luck!



2010 Student Scholarship Application

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010!

All materials become the property of TBABJ and will not be returned.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.


Last Name:_________________ Middle Initial:____ First Name:___________________

Permanent Address:_______________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Permanent Phone Number:___________________ Personal E-mail:_________________

Present Address: __________________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Present Phone Number:_____________________________________________________

Social Security Number:____________________ Are you a U.S. Citizen:___Yes ___No

If not, do you have legal documentation supporting your stay in the United States?______

School Classification for school year 2010-11 (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc):_________

College or University:______________________________________________________
(High school seniors, please name your current school and the post-secondary institution you plan to attend.)

Projected Graduation Date (mm/yy):__________________________________________




II. Please consider the following topic in a 500-word essay:

Analyze the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion. Discuss how you would have covered the story.

Please enclose a photograph and FIVE collated copies of the following:

► Completed Application Cover Sheet

► Essay

► Resume

► Three to six examples of journalistic work (Broadcast journalists may submit a DVD but must note their role in each production, i.e. sound technician, lighting, writer, producer).

Please also include one sealed copy of the following:

► Official school transcript (Must be enclosed in an official school envelope and be stamped by your registrar’s or principal’s office).

► One to two letters of recommendation from faculty, employees or journalists familiar with your career goals.


Mail applications to:

Kevin Graham, Scholarship Coordinator
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
P.O. Box 172092
Tampa, FL 33672

TAMPA, FLA. – The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists and St. Petersburg Times have selected four student journalists with Tampa Bay ties to receive $5,000 through the Griot Drum scholarship program.

Three students will receive a $1,000 scholarship and one will receive a scholarship for $2,000. TBABJ and the Times will honor the 2009 recipients during a reception on Thursday, Aug. 6, which takes place during the National Association of Black Journalists Convention, held this year in Tampa from Aug. 5 thru 9.

Funds for the scholarship were generously provided by the Times Publishing Co.'s foundation.

This year’s 2009 TBABJ Scholarship winners are: Raena Boston, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; Ashley Brandon, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; Carmel Delshad, a rising senior at the University of South Florida; and Eugenio Torrens, a rising junior at the University of Florida.

TBABJ will reveal which student earned the $2,000 award at a special reception at the group's suite in the Mariott Waterside hotel at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6. More details on the event will be posted at www.TBABJ.com.

A committee of local journalists evaluated students based on applications that included resumes, work samples, school transcripts and an essay analyzing the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion.

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists strives to help ensure diversity in area media and accurate, balanced coverage of communities of color while serving as a resource for both established and aspiring communicators of African descent.

Founded as the Suncoast Black Communicators, the group became the Tampa Bay area’s affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists in 1990. TBABJ now represents journalists of color in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties along the Suncoast of Florida.

Members and friends of the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists:

I'm writing to ask for your help in the most important event we'll undertake this year: the Aug. 7 scholarship fundraiser during the National Association of Black Journalists' national convention in Tampa.

Planned for the Florida Aquarium, the fund-raiser will serve as a showcase for the Tampa Bay area to the 3,000 attendees expected to show for the NABJ's convention -- typically the largest journalism convention in the country, period. The event will also be open to the general public, allowing for a unique mixing of local notables with journalism stars from across the country.

Past conventions have featured Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, radio personality Steve Harvey, actors Sam Jackson and Jennifer Hudson and civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton. We expect a similarly star-studded array of attendees this year.

Already, we have an amazing list of sponsors on board, including Hill & Knowlton public relations, AMSCOT financial, The New York Times Regional Media Group and Bright House Networks. But we're hoping to line up enough sponsors so that every penny of the cover charge we take in at the door can go straight to our scholarship fund.

That's where you come in.

Please contact me for information on sponsorship levels and details. I'm hoping you'll consider if you know any institutions which might benefit from placing their brand before our amazing audience. We have lots of different sponsorship opportunities -- from helping with entertainment to providing items for gift bags handed out at the event's end.

Please feel free to email or call with any suggestions or to get more information.

Thanks for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Eric Deggans
President, Tampa Bay Assoc. of Black Journalists
Chair, NABJ Media Monitoring Committee
TV/Media Critic, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
(727) 893-8521
www.TBABJ.com

It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces a partnernship with the St. Petersburg Times this year in awarding $5,000 in scholarships to deserving students of color, pursuing a college degree in journalism.

TBABJ and the Times will present one scholarship this year for $2,000 and three scholarships for $1,000.

Please encourage all high school seniors and undergraduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest. Deadline is JUNE 5, 2009 . Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

Scholarship winners will be announced this year during the National Association of Black Journalists 2009 Annual Convention and Career Fair, taking place in Tampa Aug. 5 - 9. To learn more about the convention, visit www.nabj.org .

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Pasco counties on the Suncoast of Florida.

We expect our winners to attend a reception in August at the NABJ convention.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by June 5.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com .

The application is also attached to this e-mail. Please print and post it in a visible area or forward it to potential winners.

To learn more about TBABJ or how you can get involved, visit www.tbabj.com .

Good luck!

2009 Student Scholarship Application

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009!

All materials become the property of TBABJ and will not be returned.

All applicants must have some connection to the Tampa Bay area: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Citrus, Hernando, Polk, Manatee and Pasco counties on the Suncoast of Florida.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Feel free to print out this page. Make sure you include all required items.


Last Name:_________________ Middle Initial:____ First Name:___________________

Permanent Address:_______________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Permanent Phone Number:___________________ Personal E-mail:_________________

Present Address: __________________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Present Phone Number:_____________________________________________________

Social Security Number:____________________ Are you a U.S. Citizen:___Yes ___No

If not, do you have legal documentation supporting your stay in the United States?______

School Classification for school year 2009-10 (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc):_________

College or University:______________________________________________________
(High school seniors, please name your current school and the post-secondary institution you plan to attend.)

Projected Graduation Date (mm/yy):__________________________________________

II. Please consider the following topic in a 500-word essay:

Analyze the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion. Discuss how you would have covered the story.

Please enclose a photograph and five collated copies of the following:

► Completed Application

► Essay

► Resume

► Three to six examples of journalistic work (Broadcast journalists may submit a DVD but must note their role in each production, i.e. sound technician, lighting, writer, producer).

Please also include one sealed copy of the following:

► Official school transcript (Must be enclosed in an official school envelope and be stamped by your registrar’s or principal’s office).

► One to two letters of recommendation from faculty, employees or journalists familiar with your career goals.


Mail applications to:

Kevin Graham, Scholarship Coordinator
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700
Tampa, FL 33602

ATTENTION: Educators, high school students, college students and anyone who knows them:

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) has extended the deadline for its 2008 Scholarship Contest to Oct. 22. That means students of color with some connection to the Tampa Bay area can apply for one of three different $1,000 scholarships we are awarding this year.

Go to the application form, which you can print out, by clicking here.

Please encourage all undergraduate college students and graduating high school seniors of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) to apply for this contest by OCT. 22, 2008. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

This year, we will award three $1,000 scholarships to deserving minority college students who are pursuing careers in journalism. Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

In addition to the scholarship, our 2008 winners will receive student membership in the National Association of Black Journalists and TBABJ for one year.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among other communities in the region. We expect our winners to attend TBABJ’s annual awards banquet in November.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Oct. 22.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.

Good luck!

Eric Deggans
President, Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
Chair, NABJ Media Monitoring Committee
TV/Media Critic, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
http://www.tbabj.com
(727) 893-8521

2008 Student Scholarship Application -- feel free to print out and mail in!

Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22, 2008!

All materials become the property of TBABJ and will not be returned.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Last Name:_________________ Middle Initial:____ First Name:___________________

Permanent Address:_______________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Permanent Phone Number:___________________ Personal E-mail:_________________

Present Address: __________________________________________________________

City:_________________________ State:________ Zip Code: ____________________

Present Phone Number:_____________________________________________________

Social Security Number:____________________ Are you a U.S. Citizen:___Yes ___No

If not, do you have legal documentation supporting your stay in the United States?______

School Classification for school year 2008-09 (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc):_________

College or University:______________________________________________________
(High school seniors, please name your current school and the post-secondary institution you plan to attend.)

Projected Graduation Date (mm/yy):__________________________________________
II. Please consider the following topic in a 500-word essay:

Analyze the media’s coverage of a recent news story involving race, class or religion. Discuss how you would have covered the story.

Please enclose a photograph and five collated copies of the following:

► Completed Application

► Essay

► Resume

► Three to six examples of journalistic work (Broadcast journalists may submit a DVD but must note their role in each production, i.e. sound technician, lighting, writer, producer).

Please also include one sealed copy of the following:

► Official school transcript (Must be enclosed in an official school envelope and be stamped by your registrar’s or principal’s office).

► One to two letters of recommendation from faculty, employees or journalists familiar with your career goals.


Mail applications to:

Kevin Graham, Scholarship Coordinator
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists
1000 N Ashley Drive, Suite 700
Tampa, FL 33602

It is with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists announces its 2008 Scholarship Contest.

All high school and undergraduate students of color (African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.) are eligible to apply for this contest. Deadline is Oct. 22, 2008. Applications must be postmarked by this date to be considered.

This year, we will award three $1,000 scholarships to deserving minority college students who are pursuing careers in journalism. Our desire is to empower young journalists of color to join the ranks of the working press.

In addition to the scholarship, our 2008 winners will receive student membership in the National Association of Black Journalists and TBABJ for one year.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply. Graduate students and previous grand prize winners are NOT eligible. Applicants MUST have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota, among other communities in the region. We expect our winners to attend TBABJ’s annual awards banquet in the fall.

Completed application packets must be postmarked by Oct 22.

Questions? Contact Kevin Graham, TBABJ’s Scholarship Coordinator, at 813-226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com.