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WHEREAS, founded in 1973, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation was developed to advocate for Blacks in the media in two ways. First, it seeks fair representation of the African American Community in the news and, second, it seeks an increased presence of minorities in the newsroom; and
WHEREAS, the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation - an organization of journalists, communications specialists and students - supports Black journalists and the Black community, hosts programs that recognize excellent media coverage of minority communities and trains young people to enter the media industry; and
WHEREAS, Ervin Dyer is president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation. He has been involved with the organization for more than 15 years and has served as vice president and treasurer. Mr. Dyer is a reporter at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette where he covers spirituality and health care in the black community. He works on the Robert L. Vann Media Awards committee and is hopelessly devoted to tennis; and
WHEREAS, the Frank Bolden Urban Journalism Workshop turned 20 years old in 2003. Named for the pioneering black journalist who was an editor and reporter for the Pittsburgh courier, the workshop is a seven-day program that has introduced scores of high school students to what it is like to work for a newspaper, television network or radio; and
WHEREAS, The students work with dozens of local media professionals, who guide the students through the artistic intricacies of arranging and conduction interviews, organizing stories and editing audio and videotapes. When the students graduate a week later, they have experienced the excitement of seeing their bylines or photographs in a student newspaper printed by a local newspaper, watching videotape of their interviews and news broadcast produced with the support of the local television stations or hearing their voices professionally.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commend The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation and Mr. Ervin Dyer in educating our youth with real life journalism experiences through hands on experiences at Point Park University.