Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 3, 2014
CONTACT PHONE & EMAIL:
202-291-9310
President@CapitalPressClub.org

National Press Club and Capital Press Club (CPC) to Make Historic Acknowledgement During CPC 70th Anniversary Gala This Week
Joint forum to discuss media coverage of Ferguson and race in America slated for early 2015

The Capital Press Club, founded in 1944 during the 47 years in which the National Press Club refused to accept Black members, will honor nine legendary Black journalists Thursday, Dec. 4, during its 70th Anniversary gala reception at the National Press Club.

The Theme of the evening will be “70 Years in the Black, Telling Our Own Stories, Pleading Our Own Cause”.

Honorees will include Simeon Booker, pioneering editor, JET Magazine; Barbara Reynolds, founding editor, USA Today; JC Hayward, iconic anchorwoman, WUSA; Roy Lewis, photographer, the Black Press; Paul Brock, pioneering journalist; Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher, Washington Informer; April Ryan, White House Correspondent, American Urban Radio Networks; Joe Madison, Radio Talk Show Host, SiriusXM; Richard Prince, columnist, Journal-isms, Maynard Institute.

In addition to the awards, National Press Club President Myron Belkind and Capital Press Club President Hazel Trice Edney will reflect on the impact of the National Press Club’s refusal to accept Black members from its founding in 1908 to 1955 when it accepted its first African-American male member. Historically, it is well-known and publicized that the NPC did not accept Blacks as members until 1955. However, the historicity of this acknowledgement is – in part – that it will be made in the presence of the Capital Press Club, which was formed because of the racial discrimination.

Belkind and Edney will then announce a joint 2015 forum to discuss media coverage of race issues in America, to be held at the National Press Club, using the Ferguson riots as a microcosm.

WHO: The Capital Press Club at the National Press Club
WHERE: The National Press Club, 529 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20045
WHAT: Service project to improve student literacy skills
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 4: Gala Reception 6:30-10 pm; Awards Ceremony and Program, 8-9 pm

As the oldest African-American multidisciplinary communications association in the nation, The Capital Press Club has a 70-year commitment to the success of African-American journalists as well as all media professionals. Established in 1944, its founding president was Alfred E. Smith, a columnist for the then Chicago Daily Defender, now the Chicago Defender. The Founders were dedicated to upgrading the status and working conditions of African-American journalists.