March 19, 2009 - Black Press Week in Washington.

It’s the time of year when the best and brightest honor those who have paved the way for so many journalists and media artists of this genre. 

From newspapers, to online columns, to blogs, to radio – media, and the press are so necessary.  

Especially the Black press.

The Black press allows African-American journalists and writers to give our perspective, adding our own flavor, lending a unique perspective on what’s happening in the world around us.  Often times, a perspective that is not captured or told by mainstream press.

Since its inception in 1827, Black Press Week has celebrated the accomplishments of such people, and last Friday was no exception.

The 2009 Newsmakers of the Year Awards Dinner, held at The Fairfax at Embassy Row, in N.W. DC, honored those making extraordinary strides in the media were awarded by the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation (NNPA).

Among the honorees: Congressman James E. Clyburn and Reverend Joseph Lowery, this year's recipients of the organization's Political Leadership, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Reverend Al Sharpton and Ms. Xernona Clayton (Trumpet Awards founder) were both honored with the North Star Community Service Award).   The North Star Newspaper was founded by Frederick Douglas in 1847.

This year’s ceremony added another dimension as it gave its Newsmaker of the Year honors to President Barack Obama, and family, for their historic impact on America as a family and as public servants. (President Obama and family were not present to receive this award).

The NNPA News Service made national news when its bureau chief, Louis Lautier, successfully fought to desegregate the House and Senate press galleries in 1947. The News Service’s current Editor-In-Chief is award-winning journalist Hazel Trice Edney, a 20-year Black Press Veteran.