2013 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Gala

WHAT: The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists presents its 2013 Griot Drum Awards & Scholarship Banquet. The ceremony will be hosted by Ernest Hooper, columnist and Brandon Bureau Chief of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Griot Drum Awards will feature an artist showcase by Sarasota painter Gale Fulton Ross, who is renowned for her unique blend of works depicting the black experience; a conversation with Dream Defenders executive director Phillip Agnew, who led a 31-day student campout at the Florida Capitol to protest the state's stand your ground law; live entertainment by saxophonist Jonathan Milton; and the opportunity to mingle with about 200 local business leaders, educators and media figures.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 12 at media research giant Nielsen, 501 Brooker Creek Blvd., Oldsmar, FL 33647. A cocktail hour featuring Fulton Ross (and several of her original pieces, including her acclaimed “My Sojourner Truth”) will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the awards program and Dream Defenders talk immediately following.

WHY: TBABJ will award college scholarships to students studying journalism and communications, along with approximately two dozen awards to local journalists who have excelled in covering people of color. More information about both contests and the finalists is available at TBABJ.com.

WHO: For more information, call TBABJ at (813) 419-2490 or send an email to tampabayabj@gmail.com.

Tickets cost is $30 for TBABJ members | $35 for non-members | $10 for students | $300 for table of 8. Buy your tickets today using our secure PayPal feature at http://tbabj.com/.

Sponsors for the event are Nielsen, Helios Education Foundation, Tucker/Hall, Tampa Bay Times, United Way Suncoast, Vistra Communications and the Florida Courier.