#NNPA BlackPress
Birmingham Times Captures Top National and State Awards for News, Photos, Features
THE BIRMINGHAM TIMES — “I am very excited about the awards from the Alabama Press Association and the National Newspaper Publishers Association,” said Samuel P. Martin, president and publisher of the BTMG. “The recognition is a credit to our content team and the work that they do every day.”
The post Birmingham Times Captures Top National and State Awards for News, Photos, Features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Times Staff Report | The Birmingham Times
The Birmingham Times Media Group (BTMG) this weekend won nine awards in the 2022 Alabama Press Association (APA) Media Contest, including first place for Best In-Depth News Coverage; Best Feature Story Coverage and Best Photo Essay.
The APA presented the awards during its summer convention in Orange Beach. The Illinois Press Association membership judged more than 1800 entries in the contest.
Also, the Times won five National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Awards including first place for Health coverage and Black History Month Special Edition. The NNPA presented the awards during its summer convention in New Orleans.
In the two contests, the Times won seven first place awards and recognition in nearly every category that included news, health, features, business, photos, sports, layout and design and Special Section.
“I am very excited about the awards from the Alabama Press Association and the National Newspaper Publishers Association,” said Samuel P. Martin, president and publisher of the BTMG. “The recognition is a credit to our content team and the work that they do every day.”
Two entries won first place in both contests. “COVID 19 And Birmingham: One Year Later” by Erica Wright and Ameera Steward swept both the top spots in the APA (Best In-Depth News Coverage) and NNPA (Emory O Jackson Health Award) contests.
And, the BT’s special section, “A History of Black History” by Chandra Sparks Splond and Kathryn Sesser Dorne won in the APA (Best Special Section-Newsprint) and NNPA (Leon W. Washington Award) competition.
Other first place winners in the APA contest included “Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr: The Drive of a Birmingham Business Legend” by Barnett Wright which won Best Feature Story Coverage and “Joe Minter: An Artist’s Legacy” by Amarr Croskey, Best Photo Essay.
Second place awards in the NNPA contests were for “Aqeel Glass Has No Ceiling” by freelancer Solomon Crenshaw Jr.; and layout and design by Kacy Sesser Dorne for “Hats Off” and “A New Light” editions, which also received a second place in the APA contest.
Since The Birmingham Times was rebranded in 2016 the media publisher has won nearly 50 journalism awards in national and state contests including 1st place awards for General Excellence; Best Feature Story and Best Layout and Design.
The Birmingham Times was recognized this weekend in these categories:
ALABAMA PRESS ASSOCIATION (APA)
Best In-Depth News Coverage
1st Place: The Birmingham Times for “COVID 19 And Birmingham: One Year Later” by Erica Wright and Ameera Steward
Best Feature Story Coverage
1st Place: The Birmingham Times for “Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr: The Drive of a Birmingham Business Legend” by Barnett Wright
Best Photo Essay
1st Place: The Birmingham Times for “Joe Minter: An Artist’s Legacy” by Amarr Croskey
Best Special Section-Newsprint
1st Place: The Birmingham Times for “A History of Black History” by Chandra Sparks Splond, Kathryn Sesser Dorne
Best Production and Printing
1st Place: The Birmingham Times
Best Layout and Design
2nd Place: The Birmingham Times by staff
General Excellence
3rd place
Best Feature Photo
3rd Place: The Birmingham Times for “Adi Devta Kaur brings yoga to overlooked communities” by Joe Songer
Best Local News Coverage
3rd Place
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (NNPA)
Emory O Jackson Health Award
1st Place: “COVID 19 And Birmingham: One Year Later” by Erica Wright and Ameera Steward
Leon W. Washington Special Edition Award
1st Place: “A History of Black History” by Chandra Sparks Splond and Kathryn Sesser Dorne
Don King Sports Award
2nd Place: “Aqeel Glass Has No Ceiling” by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.
Robert Vann Layout And Design Award
2nd Place: Hats Off and A New Light, April 22 and April 29 editions
Business Award
3rd Place: “Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr: The Drive of a Birmingham Business Legend” by Barnett Wright
This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.
The post Birmingham Times Captures Top National and State Awards for News, Photos, Features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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