From NNPA, June 30

A. Philip Randolph Awards/NNPA Merit Awards

by Makebra M. Anderson
NNPA National Correspondent

For some it’s the Grammy’s. For others, the Oscars. But when it comes to Black newspaper honors , it’s the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Merit Awards that captures the spotlight. Given to the best and brightest in categories ranging from best sports section and editorial page, to best women’s section and layout design, the St. Louis American and The Philadelphia Tribune battled to see who indeed has the best paper. And, the winner is…

Anxiety set in as people anticipated who would win the coveted John B. Russwurm Award—a trophy that stands at least four feet tall and means that the paper received the most points in all Merit Awards categories.

Editors and publishers grouped together. Audience members tallied the number of nominations and judges prepared for what could have been a long night—especially if someone disagreed with the results. In the end, it was no surprise to many—The St. Louis American left Chicago with the Russwurm Award in hand and a strategy to prepare for next year’s defeat.

“The Philadelphia Tribune is super and it’s good to beat them and I was really worried about Richmond because they do a great job,” said Alvin Reid, city editor of the St. Louis American. “We never become accustomed to winning any award and we compete in a lot of contest. It takes everyone from the receptionist to the classified ad department for this to happen. There is only 21 of us and everyone really works very hard to make The American a great paper. We’re proud of our paper every week.”

The award didn’t come easy. The staff from the Philadelphia Tribune put up a good fight. Throughout the night, the two papers competed in several categories—going back and fourth between first, second and third place.

The Philadelphia Tribune was nominated 11 times and won first place in three categories including Best Special Edition, Best Circulation Promotion and Best Youth Section. Like the Tribune, The St. Louis American also took home three first place plaques for Best Sports Section, Best Use of Photographs for broadsheet and General Excellence; however, they only had nine nominations.

Also in the race was the Richmond Free Press, which had six nominations and one first place trophy for Best Original Advertising and the N.Y. Amsterdam News, which was nominated seven times and won first place for Best Feature Story and Best Layout and Design.

“This feels great. It’s a tribute to the great staff we have at the paper. It always motivates the staff when they win to continue to do excellent work and to be recognized by your peers is the best recognition of all,” said Irv Randolph, editor of The Philadelphia Tribune.

Not only did NNPA honor papers with the Merit Awards, several papers also received the sought after A. Philip Randolph Messenger Awards. The awards, initiated by Miller Brewing Company 15 years ago, is a staple for NNPA. It represents the best and the brightest in journalism for “papers that play a role that mainstream media can’t play.”

Miller Brewing Company executive, Larry Waters thanked publishers and editors for “reporting that is dynamic, inspiration and educational,” and promoting “honesty, sincerity and integrity,” before giving out the awards for the night.

Among the four award recipients were The Chicago Defender; Best Education Editorial, The Philadelphia Tribune; Best Education News Story, The Richmond Free Press, Best Civil Rights News Story and The Baltimore Afro-American, Best Civil Rights Editorial.

This years’ award ceremonies were held at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, IL. The beautiful structure, sits right in the heart of Chicago’s inner city. Built by African-American contractors it is the pride and joy of Chicago’s African-American residents.

As the night ended, some smiled, some laughed and some cried. But, in the end, true to form, the A. Philip Randolph and NNPA Merit Awards was the highlight of the annual NNPA convention. By recognizing the talents of Black newspapers and Black publishers, the event reenergized the Black Press and will continue to keep the spirit of competition alive.
Other award recipients for the night were:

Community Service
First- The Dallas Examiner
Second- Richmond Free Press
Third- The Cincinnati Herald

Best Circulation Promotion
First- The Philadelphia Tribune
Second- Richmond Free Press
Third- The St. Louis American

Best Original Advertising
First- Richmond Free Press
Second- The St. Louis American
Third- The Philadelphia Tribune

Best Editorial Cartoon
First- Washington Afro-American
Second- Los Angeles Sentinel
Third- The Indianapolis Recorder

Best Youth Section
First- The Philadelphia Tribune
Second- New York Amsterdam News
Third- Los Angeles Sentinel

Best Business Section
First- The Miami Times
Second- The St. Louis American
Third- The Philadelphia Tribune

Best Women’s Section
First- The Dallas Weekly
Second- Richmond Free Press
Third- The Philadelphia Tribune

Best Church Page
First- The Indianapolis Recorder
Second- The Philadelphia Tribune
Third- The Charlotte Post

Best Sports Section
First- The St. Louis American
Second- Cleveland Call and Post
Third- The Philadelphia Tribune

Best Entertainment Section
First- Cleveland Call and Post
Second- St. Louis American
Third- New York Amsterdam News

Best Editorial
First- Wilmington Journal
Second- Atlanta Inquirer
Third- New Pittsburgh Courier

Best Column Writing
First- Michigan Chronicle
Second- Dallas Weekly
Third- The Wave Newspapers

Best News Pictures
First- Los Angeles Wave
Second- The St. Louis American
Third- Cleveland Call and Post

Best Use of Photographs
TABLOID
First- Final Call
Second- New York Amsterdam News
Third- Arizona Informant

BROADSHEET
First- The St. Louis American
Second- Winston-Salem Chronicle
Third- Richmond Free Press

Best News Story
First- Daily Challenge
Second- Houston Forward Times
Third- New York Amsterdam News

Best Feature Story
First- New York Amsterdam News
Second- The Baltimore Afro-American
Third- The Philadelphia Tribune

Best Layout and Design
TABLOID
First- New York Amsterdam News
Second- The Atlanta Voice
Third- Philadelphia New Observer

BROADSHEET
First- Michigan Chronicle
Second- The Philadelphia Tribune
Third- Los Angeles Sentinel

Best Special Edition
First- The Philadelphia Tribune
Second- The St. Louis American
Third- The Miami Times

General Excellence
First- The St. Louis American
Second- The Amsterdam News
Third- The Richmond Free Press

Russwurm Trophy
The St. Louis American

Publisher of the Year
Jim French, Charleston Chronicle

Chairman’s Award
Ofield Dukes