Newsroom

HABJ Gala Draws Record Crowd, Huge Success

George McElroy is Honored

By Terri Williams

HOUSTON — The dapper, older gentleman dressed in a dark suit, contrasted sharply by a bright orange kente print tie, walked humbly past the bright lights streaming on the stage.

His words were brief and simple: It was his greatest honor to be recognized by his “own people.”

During that festive night, George “Mr. Mac” McElroy, 84, hailed as the “Dean of Black Journalists,” was recognized along with several college journalism students who hope to one day fill his huge shoes during the Houston Association of Black Journalists’ 20th

Anniversary Scholarship Galaheld September 29.

More than 500 guests, including gospel singer Yolanda Adams, Rev Bill Lawson and state Senator Rodney Ellis, came out for an elegant evening at the Hilton Post Oak to celebrate achievement in journalism.

Although McElroy had earned more than 100 honors and awards from nationally prestigious professional organizations and government agencies during his lifetime, it was the coveted Lifetime Achievement award he appreciated most.

The HABJ award would be his last honor at the event that raised more than $50,000 for scholarships. McElroy’s career spanned 70 years where he made history by becoming the first black weekly columnist for the Houston Post. He later headed the journalism department at Texas Southern University and was the editor of the Houston Informer. McElroy died on Oct. 7 after a short illness. Along with McElroy, D’Artagnan Bebel, general manager for Fox 26, earned the Pinnacle Award.

In addition, the following college seniors were named this year’s HABJ Scholars, all earning $2,500 each in scholarships: Douglas Delony, who is studying broadcast journalism at Texas Southern University; Ashley D. Anthony, who is studying print journalism at the University of Houston; Eli Y. Jabbe, who is studying print journalism at the University of Houston and Jameka V. Merriweather, who is studying mass communications at Prairie View A& M University.

Rene Syler, co-anchor of CBS’ Morning Show, was the keynote speaker for the gala. KPRC-TV’s senior editor and anchor Jerome Gray and Melanie Lawson, an anchor for KTRK served as gala co-chairpersons.

“The gala was an experience I will never forget,” said HABJ Scholar Ashley Anthony. “I felt honored to be in the presence of journalism veterans George McElroy and Rene Syler.”
Bebel, who accepted the Pinnacle Award for his station, said he was overwhelmed by receiving the honor. The Pinnacle Award is given to a journalist or journalism organization that exemplifies excellence in diversity. Bebel said that diversity should be a goal of every broadcast station.

“I was a product of the civil rights era, old enough to be aware, but too young to march. The fight is on-going but in different arenas. Diversity in the workplace should not be a goal, but an expectation. It’s a reflection of our society and it makes good business sense,” Bebel said.

The HABJ Scholars said their awards will help them fulfill their goals to ultimately become professional journalists.

Delony has worked with HABJ throughout his college years, more recently managing the organization’s website. The senior broadcast journalism major has been involved behind the scenes of numerous notable television shows including Super Bowl XXXVIII, Entertainment Tonight, CBS Early Show, CBS Evening News and Extreme Makeover. Grateful for his HABJ award, Delony said he hopes to one day give back to the organization.

“Members of the organization have helped me grow and learn since my first year of high school, and now I launch my career,” Delony said. “The scholarship money I received will be put into good use as I pay off my college tuition before I graduate in December. One day I hope I am in the position where I can pay back HABJ and future scholars.”

Meanwhile, Anthony is the president of the University of Houston chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. She currently is an intern with Onyx Style Magazine and volunteers for numerous charitable organizations. She said the award will help her pay for graduation.

“I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I found out I had been chosen as one of its scholarship recipients. I really wanted that award, and when I did receive it, I was all smiles,” Anthony said.

Planning for the event was not an easy task; Lawson and Gray worked together with the HABJ Advisory Board and HABJ President Serbino Sandifer-Walker to publicize the event and find sponsors. When the event finally became a reality, they said it was worth the effort.

“It was a lot of hard work, but so worth it. When I stood in that room, and saw how much our numbers have grown in the past twenty years — from a few of us scattered around Houston to African-Americans in positions of power and prominence at every media outlet in our city -- it almost brought me to tears,” Lawson said. “It was especially rewarding and in hindsight, especially poignant, to give much-deserved recognition to our own trailblazer, George McElroy.”

Gray said that he enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and making new connections. However, the pinnacle of his evening was Rene Syler and George McElroy.

“I was especially proud of our speaker, Rene Syler, who not only inspired our scholarship winners but also gave the veterans some valuable advice for staying in the business,” Gray said. “The ultimate highlight though was honoring George McElroy. His accomplishments paved the way for many of us. We are grateful for his work and mentoring of so many journalists.”

HABJ President Sandifer-Walker said she was pleased that the gala honored her mentor McElroy and helped the students who will possibly one day carry on his great legacy.

“Organizing the gala wasn’t a one-person effort. I’m proud that our members worked as a team to make it a success,” Sandifer-Walker said. “It is bittersweet losing my dear friend George McElroy. I’m only happy he had the opportunity to know how much we loved and appreciated how he paved the way for other journalists.”