News: Black Media

Smiley Ends State Of The Black Union

After 10 years, Tavis Smiley is ending his annual State of the Black Union conference, which spawned best-selling books and the liberal journalist's critical stance toward Barack Obama on whether improving the entire economy or specific policies targeting black problems was the best strategy. The activist and PBS host said that he needs time to focus on other projects, such as his four prime-time specials this year and his book company, which recently announced plans to publish the musician R. Kelly's memoir. Smiley also said that, unlike a decade ago, black issues now are being addressed by numerous other media outlets, commentators and bloggers. The State of the Black Union "doesn't have the premium that it used to have — and that's a good thing," Mr. Smiley said.

Mr. Smiley said he was inspired to start the conference because black issues were rarely addressed in the president's State of the Union speech or the national media. The conference, which took place each February, was broadcast on C-SPAN and averaged 7,000 to 10,000 participants each year. Mr. Smiley said money was not a factor in ending the series — which cost "well over seven figures" each year and was free to the public — because Exxon Mobil and Nationwide Insurance had committed to major sponsorship deals in 2010.

Black Press Seeks Ad Funds From Census Bureau

The nation’s black newspaper executives are asking for $10 million from the U.S. Census Bureau to advertise for the 2010 Census, but the government is reportedly only offering $2.5 million. NNPA officials said that the NNPA would use the $10 million in advertising to encourage African Americans across the country to participate in the 2010 Census. Commerce officials said the Census Bureau would take a second look at its $300 million communications campaign to determine if there are ways to make it better. The bureau kicks off its ad campaign next month and will conduct its head count via mail and door-to-door canvassing next spring.

Last month, a coalition of civil rights leaders met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in an effort to prevent an undercount of African-Americans in the upcoming 2010 Census. In 2000, the Census Bureau said about 4.5 million people were mistakenly overlooked - mostly African Americans and Hispanics. Census results determine how more than $400 billion in federal dollars are distributed across the country for services and facilities like hospitals, job training and public works projects and how many seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives.