Charlotte Reacts to Reporter Ken Ward's Death

QCityMetro's Michaela Duckett writes:
"Channel 9 Eyewitness News reporter Ken Ward has died. He was 44.
According to Bill Fish, an investigator with the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ward’s body was picked up from Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville around 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. The cause of death was not immediately known, he said."
full story here...
Condolences poured from coworkers and friends in the journalism community.
"He will be sorely missed," said Ken Lemon, CAABJ President.
"My heart is heavy," wrote Davida Jackson, CAABJ Treasurer.
"His death is a huge loss to the journalism industry. My heart goes out to his wife, and I am sending prayers up for his family," Dedrick Russell, CAABJ Past President, told QCityMetro.

Ken at CAABJ's annual Bowling with the Journalists scholarship
fundraiser in May. Photo by Jon Strayhorn/Media Arts Collective.

The Twittersphere, too, was rocked by the news:
@BrigidaMack: "Still can't believe this."
@ShaeCrissonWTVD: "Thoughts are with the family of Ken Ward."

@ArmstrongWTVD: "Stunned. Prayers to his wife and family."

@SuzyStark: "So sad & shocked, heartborken for wife & son. Such a happy & kind person."

@TheyCallMeSash: "Praying for him and his family."

Arrangements have not yet been announced. Do you have a special memory with Ken? Please share it below, or on our Facebook page.

CAABJ Christmas Celebration and Dessert Reception - December 18

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists invites you to our Christmas Celebration and Dessert Reception, taking place Sunday, December 18, 6-8 p.m. This festive evening will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton, in Gateway Village, 895 W. Trade St.

We'll celebrate a very productive year within our organization that included workshops, scholarship fundraisers, and a successful summer speakers series. We also want to celebrate you, our members, because without your support CAABJ would not be what it is today. Admission is free for CAABJ members; $5 for non-members/general public. Click here to RSVP for this event on Facebook.

Also, in the spirit of giving, we're offering a $10 discount on CAABJ membership. So if you're a current member who needs to renew, or prospective member who wants to join, please take advantage of this deal. You'll be able to pay by check at the event, or you can pay online by clicking here.

An Evening with Isabel Wilkerson - December 1

Levine Museum of the New South, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Mint Museum are presenting a talk and reading by critically acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson. "An Evening with Isabel Wilkerson" will take place this Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m. in McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square (345 N. College St.).

A former national correspondent and bureau chief at The New York Times, Wilkerson is the first black woman in American history to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism. Inspired by her parents’ migration from the South, she devoted fifteen years to the research and writing of her first book, The Warmth of Other Suns. The result is a critically acclaimed best-seller and the first major work chronicling the decades-long migration of some six million African-Americans who fled the South. The Warmth of Other Suns follows the intimate and moving stories of three African–American families who left the only place they'd ever known—the rural, small town South—to find a better life in the urban North and West. Wilkerson's book made it onto President Obama's summer reading list, and Tom Brokaw described it as "An epic for all Americans who want to understand the making of our modern nation."

You can hear Wilkerson discuss her book and career in person at this upcoming event. There will be a book signing following her talk. CAABJ member Mary C. Curtis, who used to work with Wilkerson at The New York Times, will moderate the event.

Tickets are $12, and are on sale through the NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office: carolinatix.org or 704-372-1000.

CAABJ's Wine Tasting a Success! Thank You

CAABJ's second annual wine tasting, held September 30 at Press Wine/Food, was a huge success. CAABJ member Alexis Mitchell, who was the lead planner for the event, gives a recap below.

The atmosphere of the tasting was awesome. Press Wine/Food is located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte and has a laid-back, winery feel. The mood of the event was enhanced by live jazz played by trombonist Buff Dillard. He kept our guest tapping their feet and singing tunes.

Photo by CAABJ member Jon Strayhorn, of MAC 330. Click here to see more.

At this year’s tasting, we added a new element, by introducing a silent auction. Businesses who participated--Perry’s Estate Jewelry, Brownlee Jewelers, Sirius XM, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, and more--supported our event overwhelmingly with donations. To see everyone placing their bids on items was amazing. We set a new record in fundraising. A large portion of the money collected will go to the CAABJ Scholarship Fund, which benefits a college journalism student in our area.

On behalf of the Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists, we thank all of you who came out to support the Jazzy Wine Tasting, especially our host venue, Press. If you missed the tasting, then you missed a treat. We hope to see you at next year’s event.

CAABJ's Jazzy Wine Tasting - September 30

Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) Presents

A Jazzy Wine Tasting

A Scholarship Fundraising Event

Friday, September 30, 2011

7 p.m.

Press Wine/Food

Mix, mingle, and enjoy good drinks and food at one of Uptown Charlotte’s trendiest wine bars. There will also be a special raffle/silent auction with items from Perry's Estate Jewelry, Chima's Brazilian Steakhouse, and many more. Proceeds from this event will benefit CAABJ’s college scholarship. Cost is $20 per ticket. Free parking available in gated parking deck at W. Trade and S. Mint streets. Press Wine/Food, 333 W. Trade St., presswinefood.com.