'New U' Project Grant for Journalists of Color

UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. has received a $100,000 grant from The Ford Foundation to implement New U: News Entrepreneurs Working through UNITY, and they want YOU to apply for this exciting new program. The New U project is intended to increase the number of innovative thinkers and product developers who are of color, providing them with a forum in which to develop and express innovative ideas.

It will support the creative ideas of participating journalists of color through a series of two-day "boot camps" at each of the four summer 2010 UNITY alliance partners’ conventions. In addition to offering training and one-on-one mentoring, the program will include a competition for start-up funding to assist news entrepreneurs to realize their ideas.


Four participants will be chosen from a competitive applicant pool in advance of each UNITY alliance partner convention, and notified of their acceptance. Participants' travel expenses will be covered through the grant, as well as the cost of the program.

Application periods for the partner conferences varies--the application deadline for NABJ is July 2. The New U boot camps will take place at the following conventions:

National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
28th Annual NAHJ Multimedia Convention and Career Expo
June 23-26, 2010
Denver, Colorado

Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
26th Anniversary NAJA Conference
July 21-24, 2010
St. Paul, Minnesota

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
NABJ 35th Anniversary Convention & Career Fair
July 28-August 1, 2010
San Diego, California

Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
21st Annual AAJA National Convention
August 4-7, 2010
Los Angeles, California

For more information on the New U program, including the application, visit www.unityjournalists.org/NewU/index.php.

Type/Face: A Live Magazine -- June 10

Charlotte ViewPoint and Charlotte magazine are teaming up to present Type/Face: A Live Magazine, June 10, 7 p.m. at Visulite Theater. The event will showcase our region’s leading writers and artists as they explore experimental theater, architecture, fashion, pro wrestling, poetry, food, Marvel comics, and more. Fast-paced, loose and provocative, Type/Face is a literary, journalistic and artistic happening.



Mix, mingle, and enjoy a night of 3-D essays, features, opinions, photography, video, and interviews on a variety of topics. Tickets are $7 in advance (includes entry in a raffle) and $10 at the door. After-party to follow. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.

NABJ Scholarships Deadline April 16

Each year, the National Association of Black Journalists awards more than $60,000 in scholarships to deserving students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. Scholarships are worth up to $25,000 and are open to any student currently attending or entering an accredited four-year college/university in the U.S. or those who are candidates for graduate school. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 16.

Click here for more details.

CAABJ to Hold 'March to the Mailbox' April 10

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists is supporting the U.S. Census Bureau and the Urban League of Central Carolinas by volunteering in a "hard-to-count" Census tract on March to the Mailbox Day, which is recognized nationwide on April 10.


CAABJ has signed up to work in Charlotte Census Tract 23, which is the Billingsley Road/Grier Heights area. Several CAABJ members will be manning a booth on Saturday, April 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Bojangles', 3129 Monroe Road. CAABJ chose this as a high-traffic area to distribute information and materials that will remind residents of this community to return their Census form to ensure that their neighborhood is properly counted. This will allow them to receive their fair share of federal funds for roads, schools, parks, community centers, and other services.


The U.S. Census Bureau has provided CAABJ, as well as several other organizations that signed up to volunteer a couple of weeks ago at a meeting at the Urban League, with dozens of Census promotional items such as T-shirts, hats, flyers, and lawn signs to distribute. CAABJ is happy to do its part to support this great community outreach effort.

'GoodWorks with Rahman Khan' Season Three Premieres April 4

Season three of GoodWorks with Rahman Khan premieres on Charlotte’s PBS affiliate WTVI, Sunday, April 4 at 12 p.m. Viewers can expect the show to once again live up to its motto of being "All Good, All the Time." GoodWorks with Rahman Khan focuses on bringing the good in all of us to the forefront, which is something that’s not always celebrated in our community or in the media.

First up on the long list of notable names appearing this season, world renowned author and scholar Dr. Cornel West sits down with the show’s host Rahman Khan. In a candid conversation, the man known for many titles including civil rights activist, philosopher, critic, and professor opens up about his journey that started from very humble beginnings. West’s insights on everything from politics to life are thought provoking.

Good works and hip-hop aren’t usually talked about in the same breath. However, one woman is using her knowledge and love for hip-hop culture to make a positive difference in the life of a child. Khan introduces viewers to Chanell Ketchmore, the founder of Ketchmore Kids. Her organization is breaking down barriers and the negative stereotypes associated with youth and rap music.

See the YouTube video below for a sneak peek at the season debut. For more information go to www.goodworkstv.net.