Observer Seeks Freelance Science Writers

The Charlotte Observer is looking for freelance science writers. This is what it posted on its Facebook page today:

Are you a freelance science writer or know somebody who is? The Observer is looking for NC-based freelancers interested in writing science stories for the paper. Particularly looking for people with a background in journalism; who have existing contacts at NC universities and colleges and who have strong clips. For details, email sgunn@charlotteobserver.com.

Opportunities for Freelance Movie Critics

Hollywood has found an inventive use for all those unemployed movie critics out there: focus groups.

The online research company OTX and public relations group mPRm have joined forces to create Critical Focus Exchange, a service in which critics and film reporters offer their expertise to producers and studios looking for feedback on niche and arthouse movies.


The service uses the statistics-based methodology that Hollywood has relied on for more than two decades to test movies, trailers and posters in order to predict consumer choices.

Now the idea is to provide independent producers and niche moviemakers with a similar research tool. It will also provide a small income for a number of out of work, or freelance, critics. (They’ll get $100 per screening.)

Mark Pogachefsky, a veteran indie film publicist, came up with the concept a year ago, when many critics he knew were being laid off. “I thought, ‘How can we take advantage of all that expertise and create a business around it?” he said.

Above is an excerpt of an article from TheWrap. Click here to read the full article.

Free Event Focuses on Social Media

One of the nation's experts on social media is speaking at a free event on Monday, December 7, 7 p.m. at Queens University of Charlotte.

Joshua Benton, director of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University, will give insights into the state of social media, including Facebook and Twitter, and what direction it's going.

His appearance is sponsored by the School of Communication at Queens University and The Charlotte Observer. He'll speak at Sykes Auditorium on the Queens campus.

Attendees are asked to pre-register at www2.queens.edu/socialmedia.

Sports Journalism Institute Deadline Approaching

The 2010 Sports Journalism Institute is a nine-week training and internship program for college students interested in sports journalism careers. The Institute is designed to attract talented students to print journalism through opportunities in sports reporting and editing and enhance racial and gender diversity in sports departments of newspapers nationwide. The deadline to apply is December 7, 2009, and the program will run from May 28 through August 6, 2010.

Pictured above is the Sports Journalism Institute class of 2009.

The Sports Journalism Institute, which works with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), is funded by the Tribune Foundation, Hearst Newspapers/Houston Chronicle, Associated Press Sports Editors, and the New York Daily News. The classroom training portion will be hosted by the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, and will run May 29- June 5; paid eight-week internships at newspapers around the country will follow.

To apply, go to www.sportsjournalisminstitute.org and click on the "Application" link at the top of the page.

Photos from 'The Me In Media'

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists partnered with GoodWorks Media Group to present this free networking event for professionals working (or recently employed) in media and college students majoring in journalism or communications. Attendees discussed job opportunities, recent changes in the industry, and the importance of joining a professional organization like CAABJ, while enjoying food prepared by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, which is where the event was held. The event was sponsored by Nielsen, which had representatives on hand to talk about the launch of its Local People Meter (LPM) service in the Charlotte market.

See photos from the event in the slideshow below, photographed by Jonathan Strayhorn.

CAABJ Invites Media to Networking Event

Click on flyer below for larger view.

The Me In Media
~A Networking Event~
Presented by
Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists
and GoodWorks Media Group
Sponsored by Nielsen

Tuesday, October 27
6-8:30 p.m.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
911 E. Morehead St.

Free admission and complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served.
This event is for professionals working (or recently employed) in media and college students majoring in journalism or communications.
RSVP required: Please email your name and profession to rsvp@caabj.com.

CAABJ Meets and Greets Tavis Smiley

Members of the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists were invited to attend a press conference and meet-and-greet with syndicated radio and TV host Tavis Smiley on the morning of Saturday, October 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Smiley was leading the Nationwide On Your Side Tour event, which focuses on financial empowerment, particularly in the African-American community. The small, private meet-and-greet was held right before the start of the public event, which drew hundreds of Charlotte residents.

See slideshow below.

Support CAABJ Member in Miss NC Pageant

Lanaire Lindo, a student member of CAABJ and senior at UNC Charlotte, will be a contestant in the 2010 Miss North Carolina Pageant. She has been selected from many qualified applicants throughout the state to take part in a two-day event in November in High Point. The winner will be crowned Miss North Carolina USA, and will go on to compete in the national Miss USA Pageant.

Contestants have been encouraged to request sponsorships from family, friends, and the community to offset the costs of participating in this pageant (the participation fee alone is $995). We have a chance to support a talented young lady and give her an opportunity to represent UNCC, CAABJ, Charlotte, and the state. You can contribute in the form of a straight donation or by purchasing an ad in the official Miss North Carolina USA program book, which is tax-deductible.

If you would like to purchase an ad in the program book (see ad rates below), you must do so by October 10. All other financial contributions are welcomed before October 20.

Click on image for larger view.

Your contributions will help pay for:

1. Lanaire Lindo’s expenses during the two-day program including food, local transportation, and lodging at the Hotel High Point. Chaperones and security are provided by the pageant during the event.

2. Gifts and prizes for Miss North Carolina USA, finalists, semi-finalists, and contestants.

3. Production of a beautiful stage presentation, which includes professional equipment, sets, judges, emcees, technicians, entertainment, and staff.

4. Airfare, wardrobe, and other expenses for the winner’s trip to the host city of the Miss USA Pageant.

For tax purposes, you may make your check payable to “Miss North Carolina USA Pageants.” Please give it directly to Lanaire.

Please contact Lanaire if you would like to contribute or if you have any questions. She can be reached at lanaire.lindo@gmail.com.

Charlotte's Media Market Profile

MediaWeek.com has published its latest market profile for Charlotte. An excerpt is featured below. Click here for more data.

Nielsen delayed the rollout of its local people meter service in the market. Originally scheduled for this month, the LPM now goes live in January. Transition to the new ratings could tighten the news race, but for now, the longtime news leader, WSOC-TV, Cox Television’s ABC affiliate, wins in all dayparts. In mid-September, WSOC began simulcasting its hour-long newscast at noon on duopoly sister, independent WAXN, which also airs news at 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Hoping to break up WSOC’s winning streak is WBTV, the CBS affiliate acquired by Raycom Media in April 2008. A close No. 2 to WSOC in all news dayparts, WBTV recently added news on Saturday mornings. The station also produces a 10 p.m. newscast for WJZY, The CW affiliate and duopoly sister to WMYT-TV, and the MyNetworkTV affiliate, owned by Capitol Broadcasting.

WCNC, Belo’s NBC affiliate, ranks No. 3 in news. Also looking to fare better in the news race is Bahakel Communications’ Fox affiliate WCCB, which last month expanded its a.m. news to four hours (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.).


One of the few markets that isn’t “over-radioed,” format changes tend to be rare. CBS Radio holds the top three stations, Urban Contemporary WPEG-FM, Urban Adult Contemporary WBAV-FM and Country WSOC-FM. Clear Channel’s Country WKKT-FM is No. 4. The fifth place station, Greater Media’s News/Talk WBT-AM, just got some new competition when CBS Radio on Sept. 1 flipped WFNA-AM to “America’s Talk,” with new call letters, WBCN-AM. With the format change, WFNA ended its simulcast of WFNZ-AM, the market’s only Sports station, now known as “The Fan.”

McClatchy Co. owns The Charlotte Observer, the region’s largest paper. The paper and its owner have gone through numerous staff cuts; another 15 percent (60 jobs) were cut earlier this year, on top of an 11 percent cut last year.

Vital Stats

TV DMA Rank: 24
Population 2-plus: 2,758,993
TV Households: 1,147,910
TV Stations (Net/Ind/Multicast/Public): 6/6/0/4
Wired Cable Households: 661,810
Radio Metro Rank: 25
Population 12-plus: 1,962,300
Radio Stations (rated): 24
Newspapers (Daily/Weekly): 13/17

Meet Tavis Smiley

Syndicated radio and TV host Tavis Smiley will be hosting a free event on Saturday, October 10 in Charlotte for the community to share a day of empowering exchange. Come talk about what's important to you and your family, and what you should do today to prepare for tomorrow. This event is being presented as part of the Nationwide "On Your Side Tour."


Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. (Doors open at 9 a.m.)
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S. College St., Charlotte

No tickets are necessary, but you're asked to register in advance for this free event. Visit www.nationwide.com/tavistickets.

Media Events You Should Know About

Charlotte Post Best Awards 2009
September 19
Reception, 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m.
Hilton Charlotte Center City
222 E. Third St.
Tickets: $125
Charlotte’s African-American newspaper honors some of the city’s finest leaders. Proceeds benefit The Charlotte Post Foundation.
www.thecharlottepost.com


Digital Media Summit:
“On-Demand and In Control”
Presented by NAMIC-Carolinas
September 23
1-7 p.m.
Aloft at the Epicenter
210 E. Trade St.
Registration: $59
This engaging, half-day event will feature panelists from in and outside the media and communications industry and the opportunity for power-packed networking. Forums will focus on the impact of digital media on the industry and what the future holds. www.namic.com/events


A Reception with Kathy Times
September 23
5-7 p.m.
Alumni-Foundation Event Center
200 N. Benbow Rd.
Greensboro, NC
Free
The Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies and the National Association of Black Journalists at North Carolina A&T State University Student Chapter invite you to meet newly elected NABJ President Kathy Times, an award-winning news anchor from Jackson, Mississippi.
RSVP by September 18 to terri.long59@gmail.com
www.ifajs.org

CAABJ Scholarship Application Available

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) Scholarship is designed to assist college students in their desire to achieve success in the journalism field. CAABJ is the region’s outlet for African-American media professionals, representing those who work in print, radio, television, communications, and new media.

The scholarship will award $1,000 to a college student in the metro area who is pursuing a career in journalism or mass communications. The deadline to apply is November 6, 2009.

You can download/print an application by clicking here.

For questions or concerns, please e-mail the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists at info@caabj.com.

Historic Charlotte Radio Station Goes FM

WGIV, Charlotte’s first African-American radio station that originated in the 1940s, has traditionally been an AM station but has recently added an FM frequency. The urban inspiration talk/gospel station can be heard on 1370 AM and now 103.3 FM. You can read about WGIV's new venture in this week's issue of The Charlotte Post.


WGIV prides itself on its local programming, at a time when many radio stations' time slots are filled with nationally syndicated shows. The article includes an interview with WGIV on-air personality and program director Tonya Rivens, who is also a CAABJ member. Click here to read The Charlotte Post article.

Blogging from NABJ Convention: Day 3

The National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention and Career Fair is underway in Tampa, Florida. Several Charlotte members are attending and CAABJ president Jarvis Holliday will be doing recaps of the days' events here online.

Friday felt like a day in which many attendees at the convention were focusing on the future--the future of their careers, the future of our industry, and the future of NABJ. The Career Fair and Exhibit Hall was hopping with traffic for a second executive day. Many journalists were meeting with media companies, some getting one-on-one interviews or critiques of their broadcast tapes. I visited the CNN booth and talked to one of their people about how I would go about being a contributor for CNN.com. That is obviously a competitive position, as are just about every other position in media today, but the advantage of me visiting the Career Fair is that the lady I spoke to told me the process of how to inquire about an online position and gave me the editorial director's name and email address.

I attended two afternoon sessions--one titled "Becoming a Multimedia Journalist" and the other was called "View From the Top Tier: Journalistic Objectivity in the Age of Obama." The latter sparked some interest conversations between the audience and panel, which included Warren Ballentine.

Friday was the last day of voting for the national candidates seeking office for NABJ, so throughout the day I helped Charlotte member and WBTV reporter Dedrick Russell do some last-minute campaigning for his candidacy for vice president of broadcast. All of the candidates were out in full force with their supporters directing people who hadn't yet voted to "Go to room 7." The on-site polls closed at 5 p.m. (as they did online as well). Each of the candidates could select a monitor to be present during the tallying of results. I served as Dedrick's monitor. We were sent into a room with NABJ election officials where the election votes were tallied electronically and the results were announced to us. We were the first to get the results, and they were then formally announced at a 6 p.m. news conference that was being held at the Marriott Waterside next to the convention center.


Unfortunately Dedrick lost the election, and the chosen candidate for NABJ vice president of broadcast was Bob Butler of KCBS Radio in San Francisco. Dedrick ran a great campaign, impressing a lot of people and making Charlotte look good along the way. On behalf of CAABJ, I salute him for his efforts. Kathy Times, an anchor for WDBD-TV in Jackson, Mississippi, was elected as the 18th president of NABJ. She and the other 11 board members chosen will lead the 3,200-member organization for the 2009-11 term. Click here to read more about the election results.

And of course, Friday night meant party time. The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists hosted a great party at the Florida Aquarium featuring special guest Tom Joyner and DJ Kid Capri. The place was packed and the music was great (there weren't enough bartenders though). I spotted Joyner heading for the exit around 12:45 p.m. and almost simultaneously the music switched from old school to new school. It was great to party with the people I'd been seeing for the last few days at the convention. The party rolled on until 2 a.m.

Blogging from NABJ Convention: Day 2

The National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention and Career Fair is underway in Tampa, Florida. Several Charlotte members are attending and CAABJ president Jarvis Holliday will be doing recaps of the days' events here online.

Thursday was an eventful day at the convention. It featured perhaps the most notable sessions and events on the schedule, including a Zumba Fitness Workout; NABJ Sports Task Force Mentor Breakfast sponsored by ESPN; a forum on what the death of Michael Jackson tells us about media competition; a photography and design competition; Lebron James was on hand to discuss his new documentary (More Than a Game); and numerous sessions on how journalists can strengthen their brand, transition into new careers, get multimedia training, use social networking, ethical decision making, and more.

Another very important feature of the day was the Career Fair and Exhibit Hall, where dozens of media companies had booths set up. I visited the ESPN booth, which was one of the most popular, and I was able to speak with an executive with ESPN The Magazine. She gave me her card and I feel like I made a great contact, which is important for me as a freelance writer.

Throughout the day as I came in and out of a couple of sessions, I helped fellow CAABJ member Dedrick Russell with his campaigning for NABJ vice president of broadcast. Dedrick has a booth set up in the lobby outside of the exhibit hall along with the other candidates vying for national office. We passed out "Vote Russell" buttons and campaign fliers. At 4:30, Dedrick and the candidates participated in a forum (it was in a large room and they were on a big stage) in which they answered questions to explain why they would be best for the office they're seeking.

The evening wrapped up with a Media Reception sponsored by Target. Lounging at this point was much needed after a long day. Plus, Target provided free drinks (including the Targetini) and hors d'oeuvres. I was able to mingle and exchange business cards with several professionals who it seem like it would be beneficial to keep in touch with (having a career in media means that you'll often cross paths with people you've met before or who have mutual friends and colleagues).

From talking to different people, it seems like there are several journalists here who are either a year or two removed from college and looking for their first or next job, or they're experienced journalists who've recently been laid off. I hope that many people leave this convention with the contacts and tools needed to help them make that next step.

Blogging from NABJ Convention: Day 1

The National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention and Career Fair is underway in Tampa, Florida. Several Charlotte members are attending and CAABJ president Jarvis Holliday will be doing recaps of the days' events here online.

Day one of the NABJ Convention was surprisingly productive and informative. I say surprisingly because oftentimes the first day of a convention is slow and mostly serves the purpose of registrations and check-ins. The itinerary for Wednesday was certainly lighter than what is scheduled for the remainder of the week, but the programming was good.

I spent most of the day in the "Chapter Day" sessions, which included the executive leadership of NABJ chapters from around the country, a panel of leading journalists, and a few NABJ board members. We discussed many topics on how to survive as journalists during this recessed media climate and how to strengthen our local chapters, but the overwhelming consensus was that NABJ and the local chapters (such as CAABJ) need to develop stronger relationships. Several chapter presidents, including from Cincinnati and Los Angeles, talked about how there are too many cases of journalists living and working in our cities who are members of the national chapter but not of the local chapter. The local chapter, quite simply, is where the local work--workshops, community forums, after-work mixers, mentorships--is done.

Chapter Day concluded with an hour-long session that featured a Q&A with candidates who are seeking national office. CAABJ member Dedrick Russell is seeking the office of NABJ vice president of broadcast. He wasn't scheduled to arrive in town until later that night so I spoke on his behalf (he'll be participating in the formal Candidates Forum on Thursday). It was interesting to see Roland Martin at the session. Because he's an analyst for CNN and commentator for TV One, I'm so used to seeing him on TV and it's easy to forget that he's a journalist like the rest of us. He's running for NABJ secretary, which he surely will win, and he'll bring his great industry connections to the organization.

The highlight of the day (of course) were the receptions. There was a Welcome Reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in one of the ballrooms at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. And from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. there was a white party held poolside at the Marriott, with proceeds benefiting NABJ's Reinvention Committee and Media Institute. This party was great--featured a DJ, ice cream hors d'oeuvres by Häagen-Dazs, free gift bags, and a great view of the city and the water. I attended both events, had a great time, and did some great networking.

August Is Filled with Events to Help You Progress in Your Profession

Do you remember when August used to be a time when not much was going on because people were enjoying their last vacation of the summer? Not anymore. The hottest month of the year is now also one of the busiest. There are several events and initiatives coming up that we believe you--professionals working in media and communications--can benefit from.


2009 NABJ Convention and Career Fair
The highly anticipated annual convention is upon us, being held August 5-9 in Tampa, FL. If you're attending the NABJ Convention, send us an email (info@caabj.com) so we can coordinate a meet-up of Charlotte folks. CAABJ member Dedrick Russell will wrap up his campaigning there as he seeks the office of vice president of broadcast for the National Association of Black Journalists. Charlotte chapter president Jarvis Holliday will be blogging about the experience from Tampa at www.caabj.com. Visit www.nabj.org/conventions/2009 for convention and election details.



Networking Reception for TV Professionals
August 4, 6-8 p.m.
Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 S. Tryon St.
Free, but RSVP is requested.
Are you in the television profession--or would like to be? GoodWorks Media Group is inviting TV professionals for a great opportunity to meet, mingle, and find out what's happening in the Charlotte community. This free networking event will include on-air talent, producers, directors, editors, audio/lighting specialists, TV make-up artists, videographers/camera operators, engineers, and people who are simply interested in learning more about how to start a career in television. Space is limited so please RSVP at contact@goodworksmediagroup.com.


CAABJ encourages your continued support of our affiliation with the Charlotte Chamber's Black Professionals Network (BPN). There are two great BPN events in August:

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands
August 4, 9:30 a.m.
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, 330 S. Tryon St.
Free, but registration is required.
Terri Morrison, international speaker and co-author of Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in Sixty Countries, will be the guest speaker at this event. Learn how to interact with international clients and cultural differences, learn business etiquette, get tips on how to increase your income, and become part of a searchable database of certified professionals.

Incorporating Diversity
SouthPark Chapter Breakfast
August 11, 7:30 a.m.
Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark, 5501 Carnegie Blvd.
Members: $20 online registration, $25 at the door; nonmembers: $45 online registration
Come hear leading executives talk about how they incorporate diversity in their businesses to the benefit of their bottom-line. Guest panelists: Nicole Dean, vice president of corporate human resources and chief diversity officer for Belk Inc.; Tim Flanagan Jr., president/owner of Hinrichs Flanagan Financial; and Kevin Henry, chief human resources officer for Coca Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated.

Visit www.charlottechamber.com/events to register and for more details on these events.

CAABJ Member Spotlight

Glenn Burkins, editor and publisher of Qcitymetro.com, is featured in the August issue of Charlotte magazine. The article, titled "The Online Migration," depicts Burkins's launching his website, which is dedicated to news of importance to African-Americans in Charlotte. Click here to read the article.


Melody Taylor, a producer at WCNC and past CAABJ president, is leaving us. Mel and her family are moving to Houston. We thank her for her many contributions to CAABJ and local media over the years and we wish her family the best.


***Do you need to renew your CAABJ membership? Are you yet to join? If so, click here for the application.***

An Afternoon at the Museum

On Sunday, July 19, a group of CAABJ members participated in "Speaking of Change," a scheduled group visit of the Changing Places exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South that is also accompanied by a dialogue session. The event was facilitated by Terri Moore, senior manager of diversity and inclusion for Time Warner Cable and a member of the Community Building Initiative leadership team.

Changing Places: From Black and White to Technicolor is a multipart project that explores how people in the Charlotte region are dealing with the growing cultural diversity and change created by the influx of newcomers from across the U.S. and around the globe. The exhibit is filled with life-size displays, replicas, videos, and hands-on features that bring you face to face with traditions practiced by many cultures as well as some of the misconceptions that surround them. You'll find everything from a replica Indian kitchen stocked with native food, and a Spanish convenience store known as a tienda, to displays that depict how religion is worshiped in different cultures. All of these things are present in everyday life in Charlotte.

WBTV reporter Dedrick Russell views part of the exhibit that tests your knowledge on what various greetings mean to different cultures.

After touring the exhibit, CAABJ members sat down with facilitator Moore and discussed their thoughts and feelings. The overriding theme was that it was enlightening and is something that everyone should experience.

Changing Places will be on display until February 28 and can be visited any day of the week during museum hours. If you have a group--church members, school group, alumni club--who wants to participate in "Speaking of Change," the museum offers a scheduled group visit accompanied by the dialogue session for a small registration fee.

Learn more by visiting www.changingplacesproject.org.

Let CAABJ Work for You

This is a message to African-Americans working in media or communications in the Charlotte area. I’m writing to tell you a little about the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ), in case you're not familiar with us or haven't kept up with us recently. I hope that you will feel compelled to join this great organization.

CAABJ holds meetings, workshops, and social and networking events throughout the year. You can simply peruse through previous postings on this site and read recaps of some of our many successful events, those that we've held for our members as well as the community. We also utilize our resources to help connect members with professional development, jobs, freelance opportunities, internships, and we award a scholarship annually to a student majoring in journalism or communications at a local college or university.

As with any nonprofit, membership-based organization, CAABJ is only as strong as its members. And there is indeed strength in numbers. We would love to be able to count you as a member of CAABJ. Membership dues are only $35 a year for associate membership and $50 a year for full membership. And please note that 100 percent of these funds go toward CAABJ programs, events, and its scholarship. In addition to the funds that are generated, we can use more talented professionals like you who can contribute ideas on how we can become a stronger organization, so we can make an even larger impact in our industry and the Charlotte community.

Currently this is a very challenging time for journalists and all professionals working in media. As I’m sure you are aware, most media outlets generate the majority of their revenue from advertising sales, and during this recession with many businesses not spending much money on ads in print, broadcast, or electronic media, media companies have been forced to layoff workers. Newspapers are shutting down, magazines are folding, and TV and radio stations are cutting programming.

But we can survive this. And CAABJ can be a great resource for you. Even if you feel secure in your current position, we as black journalists and media professionals should never lose sight of the work that must continually be done to ensure that opportunities will be there for us and the young men and women who are seeking to break into our industry. In fact, a new membership benefit we recently added to CAABJ was creating a jobs bank in which we compile a list of local and regional employment opportunities and email to our members. Many of these job listings are sent to us directly from media companies and often aren’t posted on traditional job search websites.

There is a lot of work that CAABJ is doing that, quite frankly, probably would not be getting done if the organization didn't exist. But we know there is more work to be done and we can't do it without you.

To become a member of CAABJ, you can download a membership application by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the organization, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you,

Jarvis Holliday
President
Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists
Email: hollidayink@gmail.com

Charlotte Chamber’s BPN Hosts Jazz on the Roof

The Charlotte Chamber’s Black Professionals Network (BPN) will host its annual Jazz on the Roof event on Wednesday, July 15 at the Pavilion at EpiCentre, 210 E. Trade St.

Scene from last year's Jazz on the Roof event.

Warren Ballentine, CNN commentator and Radio One host, will be a special featured guest and will sign copies of his new book, The Truth About Black and White: Practical Guide to Money and Race Relations in the 21st Century. His radio program, The Warren Ballentine Show, is syndicated in 20 markets and can be heard in Charlotte on 92.7 FM, WQNC.

Jazz on the Roof will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will include networking, food, drinks, and live jazz from the band Uniq Blend. Tickets are $20 if picked up at the Chamber, $21 if purchased online at www.ez-tixx.com, and $25 at the door the day of the event. The event is open to the public.

Click here to learn more about the Charlotte Chamber’s Black Professionals Network.

Ethnic Media Reaching Record Numbers

Nearly 60 million Americans now regularly get information from ethnically oriented TV, radio, newspapers, and websites, many of which are published or broadcast in languages other than English--and that number is on the rise. New America Media, the non-profit group that supports ethnic media producers nationwide, commissioned a poll by Sergio Bendixen.

As mainstream newspapers and cable news channels in the United States are losing more money, readers, and viewers each year, ethnic media appears to be "maybe the most vibrant part" of the media landscape, said Bendixen, releasing the latest statistics this month. "The ethnic media is growing, and it is growing at a very impressive rate," Bendixen told a meeting of media producers.

Spanish-language television giants Telemundo and Univision have captured large shares of the U.S. viewing audience, but smaller Spanish stations are having an impact as well. Channels have popped up to serve Hispanic populations in new locales like Raleigh, North Carolina and Seattle, Washington, Bendixen said. And the majority of African Americans report watching BET or other television channels with African American-oriented programming on a regular basis.

To determine where the 69 million Hispanics and African and Asian Americans in the United States get their information, Bendixen's company conducted a poll in eight languages. They determined that more than four out of every five Americans of those ethnic backgrounds are now being informed on a regular basis by ethnic media. Many consider non-English programming their primary source of information, though most also get information from mainstream, English-language media like CNN, Fox News, and the major networks CBS, NBC, and ABC.

The number of U.S. adults consuming ethnic media is up 16 percent--from 51 million to 57 million--since 2005, when Bendixen conducted the first poll of this sort. New America Media says advertisers, lawmakers, and others would be wise to pay more attention to the sector.

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to see the results of the recently released study on ethnic media.

Behind the Blogs

A recent article by Russell Smith of The Globe and Mail gives an introspective look into how blogs are measuring up in media. Titled "So Many Blogs, So Little Cash," the article details how blogs are being used by newspaper reporters, freelance writers, and book authors in addition to many other types of professionals. Smith says there are several forms of a personal blog, but the main three types are:

1. The compiler or aggregator of information about a specific subject, with links to various news stories and updates, which may have a clear journalistic function.

2. The professional journalist's blog, paid for by a news organization, which reads very much as his or her regular reporting does, and has the same financial resources behind it, but happens to be online.

3. The amateur opinion column, which can often degenerate into a diary.

He also cites an interesting 2008 survey conducted by Technorati.com that included 133 million blogs. The survey found that only 7.4 million of them had been updated in the last four months and concluded that 95 percent of blogs were essentially abandoned.

Click here to read the full article.

Dedrick Russell's NABJ Campaign Video

Online voting began this week for NABJ national elections and Dedrick Russell, a CAABJ member and education reporter for WBTV, is running for Vice President of Broadcast. If you're a member of the national chapter then you're eligible to vote in the elections and we're asking that you support Russell. Voting concludes at the NABJ Convention in Tampa in August.

In the video below, Russell explains why he deserves your vote.

Group Brings Together Social Media Users

Social media is getting more popular by the day. And traditional media outlets, communications companies, and marketing firms are among those seeking to discover if social media can help them reach more readers, viewers, listeners, and/or clients. A group called Social Media Charlotte is facilitating those efforts and they're now holding monthly breakfast meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. The upcoming Social Media Breakfast will be held Tuesday, June 9.


The guest speaker for this month's breakfast is Geno Church from Brains on Fire. Church is responsible for developing word of mouth, buzz, viral, and evangelism strategies for the agency’s clients. In his 13-plus years with Brains On Fire, he has helped build word of mouth into the identities of brands including Fiskars Brands, the American Booksellers Association, Rawlings Sporting Goods, National Family Partnership, Earshot Independent Music Stores, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities, and Rage Against the Haze (South Carolina’s youth-led anti-tobacco movement). Church holds an advertising degree from the University of South Carolina and has received awards from numerous organizations, including the 2008 Effie awards, 2004 National ADDYs, and the 2006 Word of Mouth Marketing Association WOMMIE awards.

Social Media Breakfast
June 9, 7:30-9 a.m.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, 911 E. Morehead St.
Cost is $10 per person and includes a hot breakfast buffet.
Click here to register online.

Visit www.socialmediacharlotte.com for more details.

Creative Loafing Hosting 'Mixed Media' May 27

Creative Loafing is hosting its next Mixed Media--a mixer for members of the media--on Wednesday, May 27, 6 p.m. at Apostrophe Lounge (1440 S. Tryon St.).


This edition of the mixer, which CL holds a few times a year in conjunction with the weekly Pop Life series, will celebrate CAABJ member Mary C. Curtis' inclusion in the new book, The Final Four of Everything. They'll be passing out free copies of the book to the first dozen media people who arrive. Creative Loafing will also be showing off its newly redesigned website.

Plus, there will be free hors d'oeuvres, drink specials, and great music.

If you would like to attend this free event, please RSVP to carlton.hargro@creativeloafing.com.

WBT Casting Call for Event Team

Need a part-time job? Want to work for a radio station? Come to the WBT casting call.

News Talk 1110 WBT programs a wide variety of personalities. Together they represent a station that is happy, fun, active, friendly, outgoing, well spoken, and entertaining. Cast members must represent these same traits at events through active, engaging conversation. Cast members will log miles of time and distance as they recruit listeners. Please note: Cast members do not actually appear on-air.


News Talk 1110 WBT Casting Call
For a part-time job in radio promotions
Friday, May 15, 5-8 p.m.
Promenade on Providence, I-485 at the corner of Providence Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway
RSVP by clicking here.

Visit www.wbt.com to learn more about the station.

AOL Is Hiring Editors and Writers

Below is an excerpt from an article recently published by The Business Insider.

AOL isn't nearly immune to the advertising recession that's costing journalists jobs everywhere. It recently reported that ad revenues were down 20 percent in the last quarter.

But here's the silver lining for media professionals caught in the same mire: AOL's new boss, CEO Tim Armstrong, wants the company's content business MediaGlow to be a Hearst or Time Inc for the 21st century.

MediaGlow already runs 70 online media properties -- 27 of them are in Technorati's top 80 -- and wants to push that number to 100 in the next 12 months.

In other words, AOL -- of all places, one might say -- is on a hiring spree amidst the recession. For example, MediaGlow sports site FanHouse employs about 60 writers and just hired 10 more.

And, unlike some new media empires, MediaGlow isn't only hiring young writers willing to forgo health insurance and full-time pay. They're hiring people with experience.

For more on MediaGlow, visit www.mediaglow.com.

NABJ Statement on 'Future of Journalism' Senate Hearing

On May 6, a panel of digital and traditional journalism industry experts testified at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and Internet Hearing on "The Future of Journalism" about the challenges and successes facing online news aggregators and newspapers today.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has worked on behalf of newspaper journalists for more than thirty years, yet many of our most talented members are rapidly becoming unemployed or leaving the profession out of necessity.

The intellectual property of journalists must be preserved, and NABJ supports any effort that seeks to afford news agencies a greater capacity to retain and compensate black investigative reporters, editors and other journalists while respecting the growth of digital journalism.

NABJ Board Member Charles Robinson, who attended the hearing, told Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) after the hearing that diversity needs to be a part of the overall discussion and a more diverse panel should be part of future discussions. Robinson also told the Senators that NABJ was available to help draft a diversity component of any future legislation affecting the newspaper industry.

The recently released 2009 ASNE newsroom diversity census is disconcerting for revealing that black journalists are losing their jobs at a greater rate than any other ethnic group, but it is especially disturbing that minority ownership or representation in newspapers was not a topic at Wednesday's discussion.

Of the five panelists, there were no black representatives and only one minority. It is disgraceful that a discussion on Capitol Hill about the future of newspapers can happen without doing more to incorporate the perspectives of America's increasingly diverse population.

NABJ will continue to work with news agencies, publishers, editors and others to promote diversity and affirm that our members are offered cutting edge training to keep them ahead of the curve.

At the same time, we call on our nation's leaders to open their eyes to the communities that surround them and ensure that black media representatives have a seat at the table as new legislation is discussed.

Sincerely,

Barbara Ciara
NABJ President
NABJ.org

Charlottean Launches Comprehensive Sports Website that Chronicles African-Americans

ARHENetwork.com, a comprehensive database of current and historical information about African-Americans in sports, launched in April. The first-of-its-kind site, ARHE (pronounced A-I-R) Network provides unbiased and up-to-date information covering more than 35 sports, dating as far back as the late 1700s.


ARHE was conceived by Jason Woullard, a Charlotte businessman whose independent research and marketing company had been working on the site for almost eight years. ARHE was created as a tribute to tennis legend Arthur Ashe’s three-volume series of books, A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African American Athlete. The word “ARHE” is derived from the first two letters of Ashe’s first name (AR) and the last two letters of his last (HE).

Visitors to the site will be able to track athletes, coaches, sports executives, and even cheerleaders. ARHE will take visitors into the lives of athletes by chronicling their contracts, endorsements, and business ventures as well as allowing them to browse through historical leagues such as the ABA, AFL, and the Negro Leagues.

In addition, the ARHE database contains extensive and rare information in the form of biographical data, statistics, photographs and video rarely accessible to the public. Although the tremendous impact of African-Americans on sports is no mystery, the ARHE Network provides a platform to present archived data in an educational and entertaining manner.

For more information, visit www.arhenetwork.com.

CAABJ Member Seeks National Office

Dedrick Russell, a CAABJ member and education reporter for WBTV, is running for Vice President of Broadcast of the National Association of Black Journalists. If you're a member of the national chapter then you're eligible to vote in the national elections and we're asking that you support Russell. Voting begins online June 8 and concludes at the NABJ Convention in Tampa in August.

Russell has been in the communications field for more than a decade. He started out as a one-man-band reporter in South Carolina. After spending several years in the Palmetto State, he got a job as a photographer in Washington, D.C. He then worked his way up to reporter. In 2003 he left D.C. and became a reporter in Charlotte. While here he won SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi award for an educational series called the "Troubled Ten." Principals told Russell their plan to boost academic achievement at the ten lowest performing high schools in Charlotte.

Here's Russell's campaign statement:

The media industry is under attack. This is not the time to retreat, but it’s the time to fight back. It's time to find new and innovative ways NABJ and its members can survive in challenging times. As VP of Broadcast I will be an advocate for you. I believe my leadership skills will help the organization reach new heights. My listening skills will let members know they have a voice. And my skills as a team player will ensure everybody on the NABJ team reaches the goal together.

Click here to learn more about Russell and the other candidates seeking office within NABJ.

Free Webinar to Offer Tips On How to Recession-Proof Your Business

Small Business Boot Camp is presenting a free webinar Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. The title of the session is "7+ Preserving Strategies You Must Do to Recession-Proof Your Business" and it will feature advice from several experts.

The panel of experts who are scheduled to participate are Larry Heiman, business coach, The E-Myth Worldwide; Andrew Morrison, entrepreneurial trainer, seen in the New York Times and on The Oprah Winfrey Show; Michael Ernandes, business development specialist for the Small Business Administration; and Sharron Battle, operational excellence expert and LEAN Six Sigma specialist.

During the webinar you'll not only hear insight from these top business professionals but you'll also receive info on government programs that could help your business. Click here to register.

Small Business Boot Camp is operated by Monique McKenzie, a Charlotte-based journalist who also hosts The McKenzie Business Report on Thursdays at 3 p.m. Visit www.smallbusinessbootcamp.biz for more details.

Secrets Revealed at Media Workshop

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists held its fourth annual "Secrets to Accessing the Media" workshop Saturday at the Afro-American Cultural Center. A great panel of journalists representing several media outlets engaged the audience in a discussion that provided insight into how their newsrooms work.


The panelists gave several tips on what you should and shouldn't do if you're trying to get media coverage. Very informative, and sometimes funny, the panelists covered a wide range of topics such as when and where to submit press releases; who at their stations and publications decide what stories air or get printed; how the Internet has impacted the ways in which they cover news; and whether or not the economic recession has affected the amount of coverage they provide.


After the panel discussion, the journalists then took questions from the audience. Filled with local residents who work in public relations, arts, education, the nonprofit sector, and the business community, they asked great questions to learn more about how they can get their stories told.


After the formal portion of the workshop, the attendees and journalists mingled and networked in the cultural center's art galleries where refreshments were served. The attendees also took home a 12-page guide that contained local media contact info, a sample press release, newsroom flowchart, and other helpful tips.


CAABJ thanks its panelists: April Bethea, reporter for The Charlotte Observer; Glenn Burkins, publisher and editor of QcityMetro.com; Janine Davis, producer and co-host of Power 98 FM’s morning show; Kristen Miranda, WBTV consumer reporter; Carlton Hargro, editor of Creative Loafing; and Richard Thurmond, editor and associate publisher of Charlotte magazine.

CAABJ also thanks its sponsors who helped make this workshop possible: the Afro-American Cultural Center and Three Little Birds Stationery and Gifts.

Diversity Job Fair This Thursday

DiversityHiringExpos.com is hosting a Diversity and Professional Career Fair at The Park this Thursday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Professional dress is required for free admission, and parking is free as well.

Candidates are advised to bring at least 25 copies of their resume and be prepared for a possible interview. The job fair will feature careers in sales (all types), management (all levels), college internships, accounting, retail, finance, customer service, technical, computers, I/T, sciences, insurance, law enforcement, technology, foreign languages, marketing, and government service.

Visit www.diversityhiringexpos.com for more details and to see a list of recruiting companies.

Thursday, April 16
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Freedom Hall inside The Park
(formerly known as Charlotte Merchandise Mart)
2500 East Independence Blvd.

CNN 'Black in America 2' iReport Contest

CNN has teamed up with the National Association of Black Journalists to offer students the chance to create an iReport on how they are using innovative and unexpected ways to confront issues and challenges facing the black community. Click here for more details.

Leadership Institute for Women Journalists Deadline: May 1

The U.S Leadership Institute for Women Journalists is designed to provide mid- to upper-level female journalists working in print, broadcast or Internet media with critical career building skills and the opportunity to network with colleagues. During the three-day on-site component of the institute, veteran women news executives use role-playing and other practical exercises to demonstrate leadership styles and share strategies for managing people and change, negotiating salary, navigating politics, balancing work and home and much more. Institute participants will receive one-on-one (telephone and online) coaching on implementing personalized action plans developed during the on-site for the three months following the Institute.

Thanks to support from the McCormick Foundation, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is offering the U.S. Leadership Institute for Women Journalists at no cost this year. Additionally, $500 travel stipends are available for 10 minority participants. Instructions for applying for a travel stipend will be available upon submitting your application form.

Visit www.iwmf.org/leadershipapplication.aspx to apply.

Sports Illustrated Scholarship Available

Sports Illustrated is offering a $5,000 scholarship for the 2009-2010 school year to a female NABJ student member who is entering her senior year at an accredited college or university.


All applicants must be a female student member of NABJ and be a journalism major or pursuing a career in sports journalism. Visit www.nabj.org/programs/scholarships/si to apply.

'GoodWorks' Begins Season 2

GoodWorks with Rahman Khan begins its second season April 3. The Charlotte-based TV show, which highlights people and businesses that are making a positive impact in the community, airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. on WTVI.

Rahman Khan interviews Warren Ballentine.

This season, look for shows that feature actor and author Hill Harper; author and children’s rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman; national syndicated radio show host Warren Ballentine; and companies such as Coca-Cola Bottling and Compare Foods. Click here for more on GoodWorks.

NABFEME Event to Celebrate Women In Media

The Charlotte Network of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment presents NABFEME Napkin Night: Women In Media. The event will be held April 1, 6-8 p.m. at Mez (210 E. Trade St., inside the EpiCentre).

Napkin Night is one in a series of events sponsored by NABFEME Charlotte to promote personal and professional development and is geared towards women of color in the city’s entertainment industry. This event will feature an informative panel discussion, networking, and a chance to win prizes in the business card drawing at the end of the night.

Scheduled panelists for the event are Bea Thompson, V101.9 FM; Nsenga Burton, RushmoreDrive.com; Cheris Hodges, Creative Loafing; Tonya Jameson, The Charlotte Observer; and Stephanie Grant, ESPN Regional. Bridgette E. Wright, Charlotte Style Magazine’s publisher and editorial director, will serve as the evening’s moderator.

RSVP to Felisha Fletcher at ffletcher@nabfemecharlotte.org if you plan to attend. Mez will validate parking at EpiCentre’s garage. For more details, visit www.nabfemecharlotte.org.

The Charlotte Observer Initiates More Layoffs

Observer Announces Cuts In Staff, Pay

By Jefferson George
Posted on charlotteobserver.com on March 23, 2009

Faced with sharply declining revenues in the recession, The Charlotte Observer will cut its workforce by 14.6 percent and reduce the pay of most remaining employees, the company announced this morning.

In addition to the 82 companywide layoffs -- 60 full-time and 22 part-time employees -- the Observer also plans to reduce the hours of some employees. The company's plan to save costs also includes a one-week furlough for employees later this year if economic conditions don't improve.

"We have really looked every place we can," said Ann Caulkins, the Observer's publisher, during a meeting with newsroom employees this morning.

Today's announcement is the fourth round of staff cuts over the last several months, and reductions will be in several departments, including advertising, operations, circulation, marketing and the newsroom.

A total of 30 newsroom positions -- 19 full-time and 11 part-time -- will be eliminated, Observer Editor Rick Thames said. In addition, 14 full-time newsroom employees have been offered reduced hours, said Cheryl Carpenter, the managing editor. Editors expect to finish notifying all affected employees by noon, Carpenter said.

Among remaining employees, pay for those earning at least $25,000 a year will be reduced according to a graduated scale, Caulkins said. "The top earners get more of a pay cut," she said.

Caulkins blamed the recession and especially the banking crisis for the Observer's plummeting advertising revenues, which she said were so hard to imagine that she hesitates to predict how the economy will affect the Observer in the months ahead.

"I can't begin to think 'next,'" she said.

Charlotte-based Internet Company Partners With Vibe

RushmoreDrive.com announced today that it has reached an agreement to deliver site and Web search results for Vibe.com, the website for Vibe magazine. RushmoreDrive, a Charlotte-based company that launched a year ago, replaces Google as Vibe's search engine.

RushmoreDrive is billed as the first-of-its-kind search engine for the black community, and it was launched essentially to take a chunk out of Google's dominance over Internet search engines. According to RushmoreDrive, which is a subsidiary of InterActiveCorp (IAC owns dozens of brands including Ask.com, Match.com, Citysearch.com, and Evite.com), it will make available its proprietary identity search platform to Vibe.com. Vibe's new results will include text-based results as well as images, videos, and other custom results tailored to the Vibe audience.

Community Invited to CAABJ's Annual 'Secrets to Accessing the Media' Workshop

Greetings from the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists.

You're invited to CAABJ's fourth annual “Secrets to Accessing the Media” workshop, taking place Saturday, April 18, 1-3 p.m. at the Afro-American Cultural Center (401 North Myers St., Charlotte). This event is free and open to the public and will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about media outlets in the Charlotte area. CAABJ has assembled a great panel of journalists who will provide insight into how their individual publications and broadcasts are produced and they’ll also give you tips on how you can get your stories told.

Each year, CAABJ holds this workshop because we recognize that many in our community feel the media isn’t accessible when they have good news to share or have a particular program or event they’re seeking to promote. Therefore this is your opportunity to meet some of the men and women who are the decision makers as to what stories air or get printed. This is your chance to build contacts so you can learn how to publicize your business, church, charity, fundraiser, special event, nonprofit organization, or anything or anyone you feel is newsworthy.



Above is a video recap of last year's workshop.

The workshop’s panelists are April Bethea, reporter for The Charlotte Observer; Glenn Burkins, publisher and editor of QcityMetro.com; Janine Davis, producer and co-host of Power 98 FM’s morning show; Kristen Miranda, WBTV/WJZY consumer reporter; Carlton Hargro, editor of Creative Loafing; and Richard Thurmond, editor and associate publisher of Charlotte magazine. This, in effect, covers newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and Internet.

This event is free, but space is limited so we ask that you RSVP by emailing us at rsvp@caabj.com if you plan to attend. Doors for the workshop will open at 12:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served.

Sincerely,

Jarvis Holliday
CAABJ President