PUP scoops three wins at Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s Robert L. Vann Media Awards

The Pittsburgh Union Progress took home three plaques from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s 35th Robert L. Vann Media Awards.

The strike publication won every category in which it was a finalist at the dinner — dubbed “A Night of Excellence” — Thursday night at the University of Pittsburgh’s O’Hara Student Center in Oakland.

Those winners are:

Excellence in Visual Presentation: Feature Photography

“Black History Month comes to life at Steel Valley’s Barrett Elementary School” by Steve Mellon

For her portrayal of entrepreneur and activist Madam C.J. Walker, 10th grade student Londyn Askew gets a hug from her proud father, Rashad Askew, during the Black History Month interactive living museum at Barrett Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Walker, who lived from 1867 to 1919, is recognized as the nation’s first female self-made millionaire. (Steve Mellon/Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Excellence in Written Journalism Daily Newspapers/News Services: History/Culture/Arts/Entertainment

“Black History Month comes to life at Steel Valley’s Barrett Elementary School” by Andrew Goldstein

(“When the Klan came to town 100 years ago, Carnegie residents fought back — and things got bloody” by Steve Mellon was a finalist in the category.)

News Feature/Profile

“Meet the mayor’s nominee for Pittsburgh EMS chief, Amera A. Gilchrist” by Bob Batz Jr.

All the Vann contest entries were published or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023, and were judged by active or retired professional journalists or communications professors in Texas, Illinois, Kansas and Northern Virginia.

Also during the dinner, PBMF — celebrating its 51st year of advocating for fair representation of the African American community in the news, working to increase the presence of journalists of color in newsrooms and other media organizations, and recognizing and promoting excellence and quality in the coverage of communities of color — gave out four special awards:

Legacy Award to Lou Ransom, a retired award-winning editor and journalist who for many years served as managing editor of the New Pittsburgh Courier and as a community editor/editorial page writer/business writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. His focus on community and mentorship made it possible for scores of Black journalists to find opportunities in local newsrooms.
Communicator of the Year Award to Mark Clayton Southers, the founder and producing artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Co. His work shares the message of the importance of diversity and inclusion to strengthening the
community through the arts.
Trailblazer Award to Cynthia Mendoza and Brown Mama Monologues, a project of theater and social engagement that aims to amplify the voices and concerns of Black and Brown mothers and supports the free expression and communication of underrepresented communities and ideas.
Community Champion Award to Future Kings Mentoring, a mentoring and self-development program begun by three young adult Black males — Terrell Galloway, Sean Spencer and Isreal Williams — that aims to foster community uplift and cultivate the next generation of Black male leaders.

PBMF also recognized WESA for the Pittsburgh-area public radio station’s longstanding commitment to diverse journalism.

“We congratulate all the Vann winners, who work diligently to bring truth to storytelling and show that the stories of diverse and minority communities are valuable,” PBMF President Deborah Todd said in a news release.

Other winners are:

2024 STUDENT CONTEST

Audio/Feature

“Living Black History,” WNUW/NeuPress, Neumann University

2024 PROFESSIONAL CONTEST

DAILY NEWSPAPERS/NEWS SERVICES

Business/Consumer/Technology

“Black founders, technologists, start to claim their moment,” Evan Robinson-Johnson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Columns

“Ron Cook: Mel Blount’s ‘life’s work’ …” Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Public Affairs/Politics/Government/Education

“Inside the AP African American Studies class piloted at Allderdice High” Megan Tomasic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Enterprise/Investigative

“Rosedale: 100 Years”; D. Hurst, D. Sutor; The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.

Sports

“Monumental Shift: Willie Thrower cast the mold for modern NFL quarterback,” Chuck Curti, TribLive/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Spot/Breaking News

“Celebration of a force of nature in the Hill District could not be deterred … ” Anya Sostek, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Health/Medical/Science/Environment

“The legacy of Ella P. Stewart, Pa.’s first Black woman pharmacist,” Hanna Webster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NON-DAILY NEWSPAPERS/NEWS SERVICES

History/Culture/Arts/Entertainment

“From America to Africa: Hip-Hop in the Motherland 50 Years Later”; A. Carlisle, L. Jones; New Pittsburgh Courier

Columns

“How Pittsburgh-based Freedom House Ambulance Service changed everything …” Tony Norman, NEXTpittsburgh

Public Affairs/Politics/Government/Education

“‘Allderdice and Westinghouse, 3 miles away, are worlds apart …” Lajja Mistry, PublicSource

and

“‘Pitt alum Kakenya Ntaiya fights for women in rural Kenya,” Kara Henderson, Pittwire/University of Pittsburgh

Enterprise/Investigative

“Homicides against Black women and girls are on the rise,” Rob Taylor Jr., New Pittsburgh Courier

Health/Medical/Science/Environment

“Project Silk renews mission to help young LGBTQ people of color,” Ethan Woodfill, NEXTpittsburgh

News Feature/Profile

“Historian Ralph Proctor Jr. wants to ensure the Hill District isn’t forgotten,” David S. Rotenstein, NEXTpittsburgh

Sports

“Did history overlook the first Black-owned pro sports stadium?” David S. Rotenstein, NEXTpittsburgh

MAGAZINES

History/Culture/Arts/Entertainment

“August Wilson’s World,” Ervin Dyer, Pitt Magazine/University of Pittsburgh

Health/Medical/Science/Environment

“Compassion in Action: Theresa Kaijage trailblazes to support people with HIV/AIDS,” Deborah Todd, Pitt Magazine/University of Pittsburgh

Business/Consumer/Technology

“Path to the Top,” Rob Taylor Jr., h magazine

Profile/News Feature

“WAMO Celebrates 75 Years,” Joe Pinchot, Pittsburgh Magazine

VIDEO JOURNALISM

History/Culture/Arts/Entertainment

“Pittsburgh’s Black History”; K. Burkett, R. Minutello, C. Kunicki, L. Sylvester, D. Johnson, J. Harner, A. Oxenreiter, J. Tomazic, M. Masa, T. Ruffolo, T. Kirkland, A. Moore; WPXI

Business/Consumer/Technology

“The Allignment Chapter”; M. Schiller, B. Orr; KDKA-TV

News Feature/Profile

“Still Marching: Reflections on The March on Washington 60 Years Later”; L. Smith, R. Hopson; KDKA-TV

Public Affairs/Politics/Government

“Clemente Book: Not Fit for Students?” C. Hoffman, I. Smith; KDKA-TV

Documentary

“Remembering the first Black Provost at Pitt”; Jumoke Davis, producer; Kara Elyse Henderson, producer; and Adam Kilburn, editor; University of Pittsburgh/Office of University Communications

AUDIO JOURNALISM

Health/Medical/Science/Environment

“Mon Valley leaders have $5M in U.S. Steel fines to spend, but little has gone to public health,” Jillian Forstadt, Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

News Feature/Profile

“Somali Bantu refugee-led halal goat farm takes root north of Pittsburgh,” Glynis Board, Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

Public Affairs/Politics/Government/Education

“One year into Mayor Ed Gainey’s tenure, he’s looking to reduce youth violence,” The Confluence Team (K. Gavin, M. Williams, L. Tsutsui, E. Furry), Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

and

“Ongoing coverage of PPS summary citations”; S. Schneider, J. Forstadt; Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

Sports

“Marking the graves of Negro League players”; K. Blackley, P. Tewari, D. Shugarts; Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

Spot/Breaking News

“Pittsburgh Juneteenth founder says rules for the festival are racist,” Bill O’Driscoll, Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corp./WESA

VISUAL PRESENTATION

Cover design (magazines)

“Job training changes lives — and is more critical today than ever,” Elan Mizrahi, h magazine

Digital /multimedia

“Wilkinsburg Points of Pride,” PublicSource Staff, PublicSource

Illustration