Me In The Media Initiative The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) is pleased to announce the Me in Media Initiative. CAABJ is a chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. We are an organization composed of writers, artists, managers, and talent from all of the major television stations, newspapers, and some of the most notable radio stations, magazines, web publications, and public relations firms in the greater Charlotte area. Our mission is to promote diversity in the media. We launched this project in 2012 during our Democratic National Convention program as part of our mission. The goal of this initiative is to encourage black high school students to consider careers in journalism and public relations.

The 2012 winner received short mentoring session with nationally acclaimed television journalists Soledad O’Brien. She earned an opportunity to network working journalists throughout North and South Carolina and received sound advice from decorated local writers, producers, broadcasters, editors, specialists, and owners of media outlets. This year’s winner will be honored during the CAABJ Awards Reception, given honorary student member status, a one on one mentoring session with a celebrated national journalist, and provided a networking opportunity with working journalists in the Charlotte area. Applications are available at caabj.org

Applicants must be of African descent living in the Charlotte regional media market. Applicants must be currently enrolled in High School.

Applicants must have permission to enter from a parent or legal guardian. Applicants must be able to speak publically about their entries.

All entries can be used by CAABJ to promote The Me In The Media Initiative.

The topic of your essay should be why your community needs more media coverage. The essay should be no more than350 and no less than 150 words. We suggest you write your essay separately, cut and paste it in the space provided in the application, then add proper spacing. All work must be original and published finding and statistics must be attributed. Entries must be received by midnight March 15, 2014. Any questions should be emailed to us at [email protected]

Application Applicant name: _______________________________ Age: __________ Gender: M / F Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip Code: ______________ School: _____________________________________________ Grade: ___________

Name of teacher, advisor, coordinator or other: _________________________________________________ Contact Number: __________________________________ Email: _________________________________________ Parent / Guardian: ______________________________

Home Phone Number: ___________________________Cell: ___________________________

Daytime Phone: ___________________________ Email: _____________________________________________ I have read the criteria and understand what is expected. I understand that CAABJ will contact applicants through their parents, guardians, teacher, advisors, or program coordinators. Signatures and dates are needed below to complete the application. Applicant Signature: __________________________________________ Date: __________________

Parent or Guardian Signature: __________________________________________ Date: __________________

Essay

Title: ___________________________________________________ Essay: