2020 Griot Drum Awards

Over the years, TBABJ has awarded thousands of dollars annually to deserving high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students of color pursuing a college degree in journalism or a communications-related discipline.

Students currently enrolled in college or graduating high school seniors are welcomed to apply. Previous winners are NOT eligible. Applicants must have a connection to the Tampa Bay area, i.e. attended school or once resided in Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee or Sarasota counties. Entrants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Supporting documents such as resumes, transcripts and letters of recommendation should be submitted to via the link below by the application deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Winners will be announced during the Griot Drum Awards at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.

For more information, contact Dalia Colon, TBABJ’s scholarship coordinator, at 813-419-2490 or at daliacolon@gmail.com.

Entries for the media awards competition can include print, television, radio or digital media, and must be published in the following counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk or Sarasota.

Entries must have been aired or appeared between Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019.

Entries must involve issues or concerns related to people of color, especially those of African or African-American descent. Only one category is allowed per entry. The contest is open to journalists of all ethnicities. Entrants do not have to be members of TBABJ. Awards will be presented to individuals, groups or media companies.

Each entry must be accompanied with an entry fee of $20 per entry for non-chapter members, and $15 for chapter members.   (Chapter members who are NOT serving on the awards committee are allowed to enter work in the contest).

Entrants should submit a link to the story online or a PDF of the newspaper page on which the story appeared. The date of publication should be visible. Word documents containing the work will not be accepted.

Entry forms and payment are to be submitted online via the link below.

Deadline for submissions: 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020.

Entries will be judged by a separate NABJ chapter. Broadcast entries will be judged based on content, production value and impact. Print entries will be judged on content, readability and impact. Judges have the right to choose not to present an award in any category.

Finalists will be announced a few weeks before the Griot Drum Awards. Winners will not be announced until the night of the ceremony.

Questions? Email the chapter at tampabayabj@gmail.com or message the chapter via the TBABJ Facebook page.

TELEVISION

TV-1 General News Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

TV-2 Feature Reporting: Submit a story or series about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives or reviews of cultural events.

PRINT

(Circulation 100,000 or more)
P-1 General News Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

P-2 Feature Reporting: Any news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a specific topic or issue, including arts and entertainment.

P-3 Business Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue regarding business topics that affect the communities of people of color. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

P-4 Sports Reporting: Any single story or news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a sports event involving a sports personality of color.

PRINT

(Circulation 100,000 or less)
PP-1 General News Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

PP-2 Feature Reporting: Any news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a specific topic or issue, including arts and entertainment.

PP-3 Business Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue regarding business topics that affect the communities of people of color. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

PP-4 Sports Reporting: Any single story or news feature, profile, review or analytical piece on a sports event involving a sports personality of color.

RADIO

R-1 General News Reporting: Submit a story or series about a news event or issue. A series should include no more than five non-deadline stories on a single subject.

R-2 Feature Reporting: Submit a story or series about a feature topic. Subjects may include, but are not limited to, personality profiles, sidebars, consumer information, historical perspectives or reviews of cultural events.

PHOTOGRAPHY

PH-1 Best overall photo: Any news or feature photo, either with a story or stand-alone image.

PH-2 Best sports photo: Any news or feature photo devoted to a sports topic or issue.

ONLINE ONLY

MM-2 Best Online Story: Any online only series, story or blog that features a significant amount of material relating to issues concerning people of color. The entry will be judged on information, quality, immediacy, style and impact.

MM-3 Best digital video: Any online only video that features a significant amount of material relating to issues concerning people of color. The entry will be judged on information, quality, immediacy, style and impact.