FAMU Student Sidney Wright IV named NABJ Student Journalist of the Year and FAMU ABJ Chapter is finalist for NABJ Student Chapter of the Year

Sidney Wright IV, an award-winning senior broadcast journalism student at Florida A&M University, will be honored as the Student Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists on July 24 in Chicago as part of the NABJ Hall of Fame Banquet.

FAMU’s ABJ Chapter also is a finalist for the Student Chapter of the Year and will be honored during the banquet. FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication Dean James Hawkins will host a July 24 reception from 5-7 p.m. at the Mississippi Room in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel to celebrate Wright, the FAMU ABJ chapter, students and alumni during the UNITY Journalists of Color Convention.

“We salute Sidney and our ABJ chapter for the fine work they’ve done and will continue to do,” said Hawkins. “The reception is an opportunity to recognize some of the talent in our program plus reconnect with alumni and industry leaders.”

Wright, who is from Tampa, Fla., has shown exemplary leadership by spearheading the first live newscast for FAMU-TV 20 in 2007 and serving as editor for “The Famuan” newspaper in 2006.

Wright also has served as host of the weekly radio show “SGA Talks” on WANM FM 90.5 and correspondent for the school's campus magazine “Journey.” While juggling all of his school activities and classes, he also serves as the weekend producer for the 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts for WTXL, Tallahassee's ABC affiliate. He continues to mentor and lend his support to student journalists.

After graduation in August, Wright will work full-time for ABC News in New York City. Samples of his work can be found online at www.sidneywrightiv.com.

“I'm extremely proud of Sidney; it's a well-deserved honor,” said Valerie White, one of Wright’s journalism professors and mentors. “He is a true newsman, which is becoming an anomaly for his generation. But he is a true standout and is committed to his profession. I am happy that he is receiving this recognition, and

I'm looking forward to seeing him accomplish many more milestones in the future."

“Under the leadership of President Georgia Dawkins, FAMU’s ABJ chapter, has become one of the most active student groups in the SJGC,” said Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU’s division of journalism. “Membership in the ABJ chapter has tripled from about 15 to more than 50 active members in the last year.”