Meeting Date: Saturday January 16, 2010
Opened: 11am and Adjourned 12:30 p.m.
Members/Guests in Attendance: 38

President’s Greeting

• Introduction of new BJASC President, Beverly White and the new board.
• NABJ National Convention will take place in San Diego, CA Wednesday, July 28 – Sunday, August 1. Members are encouraged to attend and support.
• Local AFTRA leadership Ray Bradford, Bill Thomas and Jeff Wald welcomed BJASC back to the AFTRA headquarters and reaffirmed AFTRA’s commitment to supporting and housing our organization for years to come.

Treasurers Report – Submitted and approved (please see Veronica Hendrix for details)

• NABJ Private Fundraiser – NABJ President Kathy Times will be in Los Angeles at the end of January for a private fundraiser hosted by NBC Universal executive Paula Madison.  The event will be invitation only at $500 per person. Members wishing to attend should notify Beverly White.
• The national office is still paying debt from unmet hotel and additional contractual obligations from the 2009 National convention in Tampa, FL well into the six figures.  Small fundraising events similar to the one above will be taking place across the country to help offset the cost and balance the budgets.

Announcements

• College Journalism Workshop – Production and planning for the college journalism workshop is well underway.  The location has been tentatively set at USC.  The date and time is TBD however committee chair Pamela Johnson is actively seeking workshop topics, participants and additional committee members.
• KCBS2/KCAL 9 has a new General Manager, Steve Mauldin. Expect major shifts at the duopoly as the new GM last week selected a new News Director, Scott Diener. Diener and Mauldin worked together at the CBS affiliate in Dallas. Additionally, KCBS has moved to a computerized directing platform. They’ve also recently appointed an African-American female Hazel-Ann Mayers, as Chief Compliance Officer of the CBS Corporation.
• UNCF Parade of Stars – UNCF will be hosting Dr. John S. Wilson, Jr. on Sunday for a private reception at the Los Angeles Sentinel.  He was the keynote speaker for the King Breakfast at the Proud Bird Monday, January 17.  Dr. Wilson is the presidential appointee for the oversight of the national HBCU program.  UNCF will also be hosting a Super Viewing Party , Saturday January 25 from 2p – 5p to preview the UNCF Parade of the Stars fundraiser at the Century Plaza at 5 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person, BJASC members interested in attending  will receive a  50% discount. Music and entertainment will also be provided. Goal is to raise $5 million dollars for the UNCF program between 2009 and 2010. Please contact Margo Thomas,  UNCF Regional Director for Major Gifts at margo.thomas@uncf.org  for details.
• Black College Expo – Friday, January 22 – Kick-off Reception featuring Kenny Latimore and Trinitee 3:5-7 @ California African-American Museum from 7pm – 9pm.  Saturday, January 23 –Black College Expo will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from 9am – 6pm . For more info contact tonie.washington@yahoo.com
• Update on Haiti – Gayle Pollard-Terry initiated the discussion on the current media slant regarding Haiti and the continued portrayal of the country as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere without any reflection on the beauty, arts and rich history of the country.  BJASC challenges all journalists to deepen their coverage and explore the context of Haitian people and how they arrived to this point in history. Members are encouraged to read the www.theroot.com blog for more information. Also of note were several fundraising opportunities including the nationwide telethon to air next week on all broadcast networks. The Hollywood portion will be hosted actor George Clooney. Entertainer Wyclef Jean also has a foundation dedicated to the citizens in his Haitian homeland. Log-on to www.yele.org for more information.
• Additional fundraising opportunities for Haiti Earthquake Relief include Larry Hygh, Jr. UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) . AGAPE Church will be hosting a fundraiser Sunday at 2 p.m. ; Kassava Caribbean Restaurant, West LA on Monday from 6p – 9 p.m.

Next Meeting will be held Saturday, February 20 at 11a at the AFTRA building.  First Floor Conference Room unless otherwise indicated.