Skip to main content

Oakland Local - BABJA Gala Celebrates Excellence in Journalism, Past Present and Future

BABJA Gala Celebrates Excellence in Journalism, Past Present and Future
OaklandLocal.com
October 4, 2010

By Niema Jordan

Media professionals, students, and community members gathered in Jack London this weekend for the 7th Annual Young Journalists Scholarship Gala. One of the many projects coordinated by the Bay Area Association of Black Journalists (BABJA), the event honored broadcast journalist and industry mentor Bob Butler for his contributions both past and present. BABJA also awarded scholarships to students pursing careers in journalism highlighting the work they are doing and the work they will do years from now.

The event kicked of with a reception, giving attendees a chance to network over hors d’oeuvres and drinks. During the Gala program slides and special video were shown honoring Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Bob Butler. A number of people who have worked with and been impacted by Butler, spoke at the Gala and sent video messages. Butler shared stories about how he became the journalist he is today, including his move from DJing parties to reading the news just to get on air.

Reginald James was one of two scholarship recipients. A student at Peralta colleges who will start full-time at UC Berkeley for spring semester, he received the Chauncey Bailey Scholarship. When James accepted his award he explained how being disappointed in local media coverage led him to dedicate himself to journalism.

His mission in the field became extremely clear when he ended his speech reciting and encouraging others to repeat the “Credo for the Negro Press”:

I Shall Be A Crusader...
I Shall Be An Advocate...
I Shall Be A Herald...
I Shall Be A Mirror And A Record...
I Shall Have Integrity...
I Shall be a crusader and an advocate, a mirror and a record, a herald and a spotlight, and I Shall not falter.
So help me God.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Laney Tower - Laney Writer Honored

Laney Writer Honored Laney Tower October 14, 2010 By Tracey Tate The Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA) awarded Laney College student, Reginald James, the Chauncey Wendell Bailey Jr. Scholarship on Oct. 2. At the Seventh Annual Young Journalists Scholarship Gala, held at Scott's Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square, James received a check for $2,500 for his work as a student journalist. James, a former editor-in-chief of the Laney Tower, received his associates arts degree in Journalism from Laney this year and has been accepted to the University of California at Berkeley for the spring 2011 semester. He plans to study political science at Cal while continuing his personal journalistic endeavors. In 2004 James, an Alameda resident, decided to pursue journalism when he realized that "the press didn't represent my community's voice." A controversial incident in West Alameda that uprooted his family and hundreds of others, spurred James to pursue his ...
Post a Comment
Read More >>>

IGS awards $500 research grants for undergrads

Institute of Governmental Studies University of California, Berkeley February 1, 2013 The Center for the Study of Representation, housed within IGS, is looking for up to two more undergraduates for a $500 research grant. Each year CSR awards up to six Cal undergrads with as much as $500 to help with expenses for research papers dealing with some aspect of American politics—from social movements to electoral behavior. Last semester the applicant pool was rich and four students were chosen—across disciplines—to receive the prestigious Charles H. Percy Undergraduate Grant for Public Research. Name: Reginald James Major:  Political Science and African American Studies Research Interests:  "Historical Impacts of National, State, and Local Housing Policies and Practices on African American Residents of Alameda" Source: http://igs.berkeley.edu/news/igs-awards-500-research-grants-for-undergrads
1 comment
Read More >>>