The Historical Black Press Foundation will present the awards at the first Black Press
All Star Awards Luncheon and Onsite Media Clinic on September 16, 2005 at the Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL.

The award ceremony is part of a three-day event
designed to honor journalistic excellence and to address need for newsroom diversity. Johnson founded America’s first Black television network 25 years ago and will retire from his post as CEO in November. Despite his retirement, Johnson’s legacy will continue as Debra Lee steps into the role of CEO of BET. In 2001, he sold the network
to Viacom but remained a part of the company’s executive management. After beginning his career as a press secretary and speechwriter, Johnson will be honored for blazing a trail in urban media.

HBPF will also honor The Chicago Defender with the Centennial Award. Founded in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott, The Chicago Defender was the most powerful Black weekly newspaper. The publication is credited with starting the Great Migration that allowed slaves to settle in the North. The Chicago Defender gave the world Langston Hughes,
who began his career as a writer with the paper, which celebrated its 100th anniversary
on May 5th.

The paper is now led by Executive Editor Roland Martin, who will be a panelist for the Podcasting seminar at the Onsite Media Clinics. The late John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony magazine, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor at the Black Press All Star Awards.

The full list of nominees is available at blackpress.org/allstars

Online registration is available at http://www.blackpress.org/registration
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