By Special to the Daily World
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sheila Brooks, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for minority and women’s issues and small businesses, will receive the National Association of Black Journalists’ inaugural Patricia L. Tobin Media Professional Award, the Board of Directors announced recently.
Brooks is founder, president and CEO of SRB Communications LLC, a full-service media and communications agency and post-production facility in Washington, D.C. Her agency, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, offers programming for television and radio, broadcast-quality video production, event production, as well as creative, branding and strategy for advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns. Brooks is also an Entrepreneur in Residence in the John H. Johnson School of Communications at Howard University.
“I am humbled and blessed to receive this special award from my NABJ family. This award honors the remarkable achievements of an exceptional leader and entrepreneur and is a tribute to the legacy of a longtime friend and colleague who touched my life and so many others,” Brooks said. “Pat Tobin’s shining light will help me help others live their dreams and become entrepreneurs!”
NABJ member Pat Tobin, of Los Angeles, passed away in 2008. Tobin was president and CEO of Tobin and Associates, a prominent minority, woman-owned public relations firm. She was a dedicated activist for causes that impacted minorities, women and youth; and was co-founder of the National Black Public Relations Society.
“It gives us great joy to honor Sheila Brooks. She is one of NABJ’s hardest-working members, from lending her production expertise to hosting a golf tournament to raising money for the organization. Sheila goes above and beyond for NABJ,” said NABJ President Kathy Times.
Prior to starting her firm in 1990, Brooks built a distinguished television career as a news director, reporter, anchor, and documentary producer at the CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox owned-and- operated and affiliate TV stations across the country. In more than 32 years in the television and communications industry, Brooks earned several awards, including 40 national Telly Awards, and a national Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television.
This year, Brooks will join other top honorees, including NABJ Founder Acel Moore, who will be honored for Lifetime Achievement; the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles for Journalist of the Year; ESPN’s Claire Smith for the Legacy Award; and Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin, for Emerging Journalist of the Year during NABJ’s Annual Awards Gala on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Salute to Excellence Awards Gala recognizes journalism that best covered the Black experience or addressed issues affecting the worldwide Black community during 2010.
“There is not a better fit for this award. Sheila Brooks embodies the namesake of this award, Pat Tobin, to a tee,” said Aprill O. Turner, NABJ associate member representative and founder of the award. “Sheila’s commitment to NABJ, her heart for service, and her willingness to help show others the ropes of how to be a successful entrepreneur, hits the mark on all cylinders for this inaugural award.”
NABJ’s 36th Annual Convention and Career Fair will take place Aug. 3-7 in Philadelphia. For additional information, ticket sales, and registration, visit www.nabj.org.
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