Shelby's Social Diary
Pierre Thomas and local African-American journalists celebrate a year ofaccomplishments
The ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel has never before pulsated with as many media types as it did Friday night when the Houston Association of Black Journalists held its 25th anniversary dinner.
National headliner among the local contingent was ABC News senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, who was recognized with the 2011 Pinnacle Award. Also receiving HABJ honors were D'Artagnan Bebel, vice president and GM at Fox 26; Soncerria "Sonny" Messian Jiles, president and CEO of the Defender Media Group; Deborah Duncan, host of KHOU Channel 11's Great Day Houston; and Charles Scott, news photographer for KPRC Channel 2.
In addition to the camaraderie of the journalists celebrating jobs well done, the evening raised greenbacks for scholarships for aspiring journalists attending local universities. To date, HABJ has raised more than $100,000 in scholarship funds.
A highlight of the evening was the taped messages of congratulations from ABC World News anchor Diane Sawyer and from ABC 13 news anchor Melanie Lawson, who at the same time was serving as emcee at the Omni Houston Hotel for The Eye Ball, which benefited the Houston Eye Associates Foundation and Prevent Blindness Texas.
Among journalists filling the sold-out ballroom at the Four Seasons were Mary Benton, Gina Gaston, José Grinan, Mia Gradney, Sharron Melton, Gene Norman and wife Elaine, Miya Shay, Isiah Carey, Lain Page and Melinda Spaulding.
The powerhouse turnout included Mayor Annise Parker and partner Kathy Hubbard, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Tissy and Rusty Hardin, Levi Benton and Janis Jefferson-Benton, Cindy Clifford, Gene Locke, David Medina, Richard Murray and Deborah Hartman and Jason Fuller.
