Female Columnist Receives Community Service Award From Black Journalists Group

WASHINGTON, -- Washington Post Columnist Michelle Singletary will be honored by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for her dedication to improving the lives of others. Singletary will receive the organization's Community Service Award during the Salute to Excellence Awards Gala during NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair in San Diego, the largest gathering of minority journalists in the country.

NABJ bestows the Community Service Award to a black journalist who has had a positive impact on the black community outside the normal realm of journalism.

"Michelle is truly worthy of this honor. Through her column and community outreach she uses her gift and knowledge of personal finance to help people break free from debt," said NABJ President Kathy Y. Times. "We also called on Michelle to help our members through the trials of industry layoffs and buyouts to help answer their questions about finances. She is always ready and eager to share her wisdom with others."

Singletary's syndicated column, "Color of Money", appears in newspapers across the country. She is an accomplished reporter, author, radio and television host, and educator. NABJ's Community Service Award recognizes Singletary's dedication not only in the newsroom, but in the community that she calls home. For years, Singletary has been called upon to speak at her home church, First Baptist Church of Glenarden (Maryland), under the leadership of Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.

"Michelle has blazed a trail for black women reporting on business news at the highest level," said Deirdre M. Childress, NABJ's vice president-print. "She is someone I admire -- not just for her financial acumen -- but for her unfailing willingness to help and assist others."

Her "calling" began as a Bible session, but quickly turned into a major Bible Study session, followed by being a sought-after keynote speaker for several Women's Conferences and other religious workshops. Singletary has combined her business journalism expertise into a personal ministry of educating her community on personal finance. Her professional career includes time at the Baltimore Evening Sun as a business reporter, but she also covered crime (police), politics, zoning, and religion.

As the founder and director of "Prosperity Partners Ministry," a program where men and women who handle their money well mentor others who are having financial challenges, Singletary fulfills a part of her faith and commitment to her ministerial calling. Along with the volunteer mentoring initiative, Singletary conducts a workshop for the ministry group each month on topics ranging from budgeting and tithing, to getting out of debt.

"I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the dynamic way that Michelle helps others through her service outside of journalism," said NABJ Associate Representative Aprill O. Turner. "Michelle has a 'tell-it-like-it-is' style when it comes to helping folks break the bondage of debt. Her tough-love approach has helped many individuals and families get on solid financial footing."

The Salute to Excellence Awards Gala recognizes journalism that best covered the black experience or addressed issues affecting the worldwide black community during 2009. Singletary will be joined by other top honorees including NBC News for the Best Practices Award, New York Daily News' Michael Feeney for Emerging Journalist, and CNN's Soledad O'Brien for Journalist of the Year.

NABJ's 35th Annual Convention and Career Fair will take place July 28-August 1 in San Diego, Calif. For additional information, ticket sales, registration, please visit us at www.nabj.org.

SOURCE National Association of Black Journalists