'Your Voice. Your Vote.' We Did It!

Thank you to everyone who helped make "Your Voice. Your Vote." a success. When we began planning the event several months ago, we couldn't have foreseen that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama would decide to hold a rally in Charlotte on the same day. Or that the Rev. Al Sharpton would hold two speaking engagements on our day as well.

But we persevered, and the people who realized the importance of learning more about their local and state candidates came out to our great event. And thank you to the more than 25 candidates that attended and spoke as well. CAABJ looks forward to holding more exciting events and having a more impactful presence in the community.

Below is an article published today in The Charlotte Observer.

Voters get a chance to meet the candidates

By April Bethea
abethea@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Monday, Sep. 22, 2008

Dozens of candidates for elected office had a chance to tell Mecklenburg County residents why they should be put in office at two forums held in uptown.

The first featured a candidates meet and greet, and panel discussion on politics and the media. Later in the evening, the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg held a candidates forum.

The events capped off a whirlwind day in the Queen City for anyone interested in politics, including a rally with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

In addition, civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton appeared at a northeast Charlotte church to encourage people to register to vote.

The first stop for many candidates on Sunday was the Levine Museum of the New South.

There, organizers of the event “Your Voice. Your Vote” aimed to help make the public more aware about candidates running for local and statewide offices – races they said are often overshadowed by the presidential and other national contests.

Among those speaking at the non-partisan event were candidates for county commissioners, state legislative and judicial seats and democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan.

The event was sponsored by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists – Charlotte and Generation Engage, a group that aims to boost involvement of young adults in politics.

Sunday evening, the Black Political Caucus held its traditional forum for candidates seeking office. As with the journalist' program, the event drew candidates seeking a variety of offices, including 18 candidates for district judge and the court of appeals.

For more than three hours, about 50 hopefuls introduced themselves to a crowd gathered at Little Rock AME Zion Church uptown, then fielded questions on topics like the economy, the judicial system and the candidates' top goals for office.

Incumbents touted their experience and past accomplishments while in office, while their challengers pledged to bring change and to be more responsive to public needs.

The Black Political Caucus will vote on endorsements next weekend.

"Your Voice. Your Vote." Will Give Public Chance to Meet Local, State, and Judicial Candidates

Do you know anything about the candidates on this fall's ballot other than John McCain and Barack Obama? Come meet face to face with your state, local, and judicial candidates during "Your Voice. Your Vote." September 21, 12-4 p.m. at the Levine Museum of the New South.

During this free, non-partisan event, you will be able to talk directly to candidates, receive voter guides, and register to vote. The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections will have a voting machine on hand for demonstrations as well as a computer for you to check your registration.

Mert's Heart and Soul will provide complimentary refreshments and the museum's exhibit halls will be open. Also, join us as we discuss the relationship between the media and the public during "The Changing Face of Politics" open forum from 3-4 p.m.

Candidates and elected officials confirmed to speak include U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan, N.C. Gubernatorial candidates Pat McCrory and Bev Purdue, N.C. State Representatives Beverly Earle and Robert Pittenger, N.C. State Senator Malcolm Graham, Mecklenburg County Commission candidates Harold Cogdell, Hal Jordan, Dan Ramirez, Jennifer Roberts, and more. Panelists will include Charlotte Observer political video columnist Tonya Jameson and CNN and Fox News political contributor Lenny McAllister (The Hip-Hop Republican).

"Your Voice. Your Vote." is being brought to you by the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and GenerationEngage. Sponsors include the Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte magazine, the Charlotte Chamber's Black Professionals Network, and Mert's Heart and Soul.

WFAE's The Media's Role in Election 2008

WFAE presents a community dialogue on the role of the media in the current election year. This informal and interactive session is designed to engage the audience in discussion with local media experts and journalists. The event will be held Wednesday, September 17, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Mint Museum of Art (2730 Randolph Road).

Panelists are: Daniel Grano, assistant professor of communication studies at UNC Charlotte; Jim Morrill, political writer at The Charlotte Observer; Jeff Sonier, television journalist and political reporter.

Topics and questions to be discussed include:

• How can the media go beyond 'sound bite' journalism and 'horse race' reporting of the latest poll results to help voters better understand the issues and where the candidates stand?
• Are the local media doing a good job of covering the NC races for governor, U.S. Senate and congressional contests?
• How can voters balance what they see and hear through political coverage, with the messages they encounter through campaign advertising? Do the media overemphasize candidates' race, gender, religion?
• What should be the media's role in encouraging voter turnout?
• Should newspapers still endorse candidates?

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Gracie Awards Call for Entries

Excerpt from press release

The Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) is inviting entries for the 34th Annual Gracie Awards. The Gracies is the most prestigious industry award that recognizes exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women, as well as outstanding achievement by individuals.

The 34th Annual Gracie Awards will continue the tradition of recognizing programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and new media, including news, drama, comedy, commercials, public service, documentary and sports. The entry deadline is January 5, 2009.

To qualify for entry, programs must have aired for the first time between December 1, 2007 and November 30, 2008. National Award winners will be honored at the star-studded Gracie Awards Gala, to be held on June 3, 2009 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Local markets, public and student award winners will be honored at the Awards Luncheon of the Gracie Awards, which will be held on June 4, 2009 at the Tavern on the Green, New York, NY.

To obtain a copy of the Gracies Call for Entries, please visit www.awrt.org or contact AWRT Headquarters at 703-506-3290.

Bloggers among journalists at DNC

Written by Marc Giauque
www.ksl.com

For every three delegates at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) there is at least one journalist; but many of them are working online instead of on the air.

If you walk down Denver's 16th Street Mall, you can't miss the sight of someone with a small video camera, gathering information for their blog sites.

Utah's Rob Miller is among them, entering diaries on Utah Amicus.com. He's one of 55 bloggers given press credentials for the event.

"It's making history because it is the first time they've credentialed bloggers, and what an honor for our blog to be a part of that," he said.

Miller is also the vice chairman of the Utah Democratic Party. Like a lot of bloggers, he doesn't make a dime for the work he'll do.