NEW YORK (NNPA) – The St. Louis American, dominated the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation’s Merit Awards this year, once again becoming the “best newspaper in America” by winning the coveted John B. Russwurm Trophy.
The St. Louis American, the second largest newspaper in Missouri with a circulation of nearly 100,000, netted eight awards, including first place in Community Service, Best Circulation Promotion and Best Lifestyles Section during the organization’s 70th anniversary celebrated in New York, the birthplace of the Black Press. The Russwurm Trophy is given to the newspaper receiving the most points in all Merit Awards categories.
“You have to have a wonderful team to work with who believes that much in the work and our mission, which is very special,” said Suggs in an interview, telling what it takes to get the scoring to win the Russwurm. “Sometimes it’s very uphill, but we’ve been very blessed to have people who really take their work seriously and believe in their community and the role that they play in their community.”
The glitzy gala, this year chaired by Wilmington Journal Publisher Mary Alice Jervay-Thatch, celebrated the history, present and future of the Black Press of America. The newspapers – all from among the 200-plus NNPA membership – were recognized for their excellence in 22 categories, ranging from best editorial to best entertainment section.
The Washington Informer, which won first place in the coveted General Excellence category, also won second place in Best Layout and Design.
NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell received the evening’s highest honor for an individual publisher He was named publisher of the year. It was a surprise distinction as Bakewell did not apply for or run for the honor. He was nominated. Bakewell, an activist publisher, is highly esteemed for his leadership in fighting to take the Black publisher organization’s name, reputation and level of advertising dollars to a higher level.
Finally, The Call & Post, published by Constance Harper, was the winner in the Thomas Morgan IIII Award for HIV/AIDS Education, an award sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Black AIDS Institute.
The following are other winners, judged by a team of communications professionals:
John H. Sengstacke General Excellence
The Washington Informer
The Portland Skanner
The St. Louis American
Robert S. Abbott Best Editorial Award
The Afro-American,
Winston-Salem Chronicle
Indianapolis Recorder
Emory O. Jackson Best Column Writing
The Chicago Defender
The Carolina Peacemaker
The Call & Post
Carl Murphy Community Service Award
The St. Louis American
The Chicago Defender
The Call & Post
Ida B. Wells Best News Story
The Portland Skanner
The Call & Post
The Carolina Peacemaker
Frank L. Stanley Best Feature Story
The Wilmington Journal
The Baltimore Afro-American
The Chicago Defender
Best News Pictures
The Final Call
Pittsburgh Courier
Los Angeles Sentinel
Wilbert L. Vann Best Editorial Cartoon
The Los Angeles Sentinel
The Philadelphia Tribune
The Chicago Defender
Robert L. Vann Best Layout and Design [Tabloid Division]
The Chicago Defender
The Washington Informer
NY Amsterdam News
Robert L. Vann Best Layout and Design [Broadcast Division]
The Philadelphia Tribune
The Los Angeles Sentinel
The St. Louis American
Leon H. Washington Best Special Ed.
The Philadelphia Tribune
The Los Angeles Wave
The St. Louis American
Best Circulation Promotion
The St. Louis American
The Philadelphia Tribune
The Chicago Defender
Ada S. Franklin Best Lifestyles Section
St. Louis American
Indianapolis Recorder
The Philadelphia Tribune
Best Youth Section
New Pittsburgh Courier
The Philadelphia Tribune
NY Amsterdam News
E. Washington Rhodes Best Original Advertising
The Chicago Defender
The Philadelphia Tribune
The St. Louis American
Best Use of Photographs [Broadsheet Division]
The Los Angeles Wave
The Pittsburgh Courier
Indianapolis Recorder
Best Use of Photographs [Tabloid Division]
The Portland Skanner
The Chicago Defender
The Dallas Weekly
Best Church Page
Winston-Salem Chronicle
Milwaukee Community Journal
The Call & Post
Don King Best Sports Section
The Carolina Peacemaker
NY Amsterdam News
The Los Angeles Sentinel
Best Business Section
The Philadelphia Tribune
The St. Louis American
The Winston-Salem Chronicle
Best Entertainment Section
New York Amsterdam News
Call and Post
The Winston-Salem Chronicle