June 28, 2012

ATLANTA – The L.A. Watts Times Weekender Newspaper has been voted the award for, “Best Layout & Design - Tabloid,” at the 2012 National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Merit Awards.  This years awards ceremony was held in Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to winning the award for “Best Layout & Design - Tabloid,” the Watts Times also took home the award for, “Best Use of Photographs - Tabloid.” 

“Both awards comes as a huge surprise,” says Brandon I. Brooks, Co-Managing Editor of the L.A. Watts Times.  “Its been two years since Yussuf (Simmonds) and I have taken over the Watts Times and its unbelievable to think we have been voted the best layout and design two years in a row.  This just goes to show that hard work truly does pays off.  The late nights and early mornings will be a little bit easier knowing that we are being recognized on a national scale.  I thank the entire staff of the Watts Times and all of its contributors especially our superb production team, Benjamin Samuels and Kim McGill.  The awards are a testament to the hard work and sacrifice we commit on a every week and on a daily basis.”

The St. Louis American won seven first-place Merit Awards at this years ceremony en route to winning the NNPA’s coveted John B. Russwurm Trophy presented to the newspaper that accumulates the most points in the organization’s annual journalism competition.

In 1827, Russwurm co-founded Freedom’s Journal, the nation’s first Black owned and operated newspaper.

The St. Louis American, published by Dr. Donald Suggs, won first place in categories ranging from general excellence to best layout and design for a broad sheet.

The Merit Award winners were:

General Excellence

1-St. Louis American; 2-Charlotte Post; 3-Philadelphia Tribune.

Best Editorial

1-Philadelphia Tribune; 2-Columbus Post; 3-Michigan Chronicle.

Best Column

1-Frost Illustrated; 2-Miami Times; 3-Michigan Chronicle.

Community Service

1-Richmond Free Press; 2-Philadelphia Tribune; 3-Portland Skanner.

Best News Story

1-Winston-Salem Chronicle; 2-Houston Defender; 3-Chicago Defender.

Best Feature Story

1-Chicago Crusader; 2-Charlotte Post; 3-Houston Defender.

Best News Picture

1-St. Louis American; 2-Chicago Defender; 3-Cleveland Call & Post.

Best Editorial Cartoon

1-Los Angeles Sentinel; 2-New Pittsburgh Courier; 3-Philadelphia Tribune.

Best Layout and Design – Broad Sheet

1-St. Louis American; 2-Philadelphia Tribune; 3-Michigan Chronicle.

Best Layout and Design – Tabloid

1-LA Watts Times; 2-The Final Call; 3-Chicago Defender.

Best Special Edition

1-St. Louis American; 2-Miami Times; 3-CrossRoads News.

Best Circulation Promotion

1-Houston Defender; 2-Portland Skinner; 3-St. Louis American.

Best Lifestyle Section

1-St. Louis American; 2-New Pittsburgh Courier; 3-Charlotte Post.

Best Youth Section

1-Miami Times; 2-Philadelphia Tribune; 3-Chicago Crusader.

Best Original Advertising

1-Houston Defender; 2-Houston Forward Times; 3-Columbus Post.

Best Use of Photographs – Broad Sheet

1-St. Louis American; 2-Philadelphia Tribune; 3-New Pittsburgh Courier.

Best Use of Photographs – Tabloid

1-LA Watts Times; 2-Final Call; 3-Chicago Defender.

Best Church Page

1-Miami Times; 2-Indianapolis Recorder; 3-Philadelphia Tribune.

Best Sports Section

1-St. Louis American; 2-Houston Defender; 3-Charlotte Post.

Best Business Section

1-Philadelphia Tribune; 2-Houston Forward Times; 3-New Pittsburgh Courier.

Best Entertainment

1-Indianapolis Recorder; 2-St. Louis American; 3-Philadelphia Tribune.

Russwurm Trophy – St. Louis American.

“Our member newspapers continue to improve each year, making the Merit Awards increasingly difficult to judge,” said Karl B. Rodney, chairman of the NNPA Foundation. “The Merit Awards recognize the excellent work NNPA papers produce on a consistent basis.”

Category: Community