by Jennifer Cuevas
Staff Writer
The Inland Valley News (IVN), an African-American owned newspaper, celebrated its “First Annual Celebration of Excellence Awards Luncheon” and silent auction yesterday at the Sheraton Suites in Pomona, honoring leaders within surrounding areas.
The event honored community activists, from politicians, to church leaders and teachers of various ethnicities, who serve within the areas of Inland Valley News circulation.
The awards luncheon served to “to show appreciation to community leaders,” said Barbara Baham, advertising and marketing consultant of the Inland Valley News.
The event began with greetings from Jennetta Harris, a member of the publishers advisory board and representing Southern California Edison.
Other guests, such as the Honor Guard from Ganesha High School, to the Pomona Mayor Eddie Cortez, were featured in the luncheon program.
Featured as the keynote speaker, was University of La Verne’s assistant professor of journalism Eric Bishop, who addressed the group of about 200 on “The Role of the Media in the New Millennium.”
“We must work to regain the public’s trust and belief that we work for them and not against them. The role of the media in the new millennium will need to be global. Not just geographically, but in thought processes and understanding,” he said.
Bishop continued to say that the role of the media is not only about freedoms, “but in the new millennium, we must also be about justice.”
Giving the awards, were founder and editor in chief of Inland Valley News, Tommy Morrow. And his wife, CEO of IVN, and assistant professor of psychology Dr. Gloria Morrow.
Tommy Morrow said of the importance to create an African-American newspaper, “ethnic people needed an opportunity to speak in their community. Ethnic publications can speak a language that the mainstream media does not speak.”
As Morrow also explained, there were many people who helped in the creation of IVN, one of whom received the Lifetime Award at the luncheon.
The recipient, Norma Hawkins, 85, advertising account executive for the Riverside Press Enterprise, discussed her vital role in the creation of the local publication.
“I advised them on how to establish rates for advertising, how to structure a newspaper, [how to do] circulation and helped train sales people.
“We [African Americans] need a voice in the community and to let others know about our heritage, our beliefs and to let others know the impact we have on the community,” she said.
By the conclusion of the luncheon, more than one dozen awards were distributed to congregation members, and “thank yous” were given.
IVN has been in circulation since 1992, covering stories from the eastern end of the Los Angeles County to the west end of San Bernardino County.
As aforementioned, it is African-American owned and operated, with a staff totaling just more than a dozen, as well as an advisory board of 15 from local businesses, universities and community centers.
IVN may be picked for no cost at circulation sites or delivered to homes and businesses. For more information about the publication, call (909) 392-6907 or fax at (909) 392-6917.
