J-School student named best by NABJ

Sidney Wright IV, an award-winning senior broadcast journalism will be honored as the Student Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists on July 24 in Chicago. FAMU’s ABJ Chapter also is a finalist for the Student Chapter of the Year.

“We salute Sidney and our ABJ chapter for the fine work they’ve done and will continue to do,” said FAMU J-School Dean James Hawkins.

Wright, who is from Tampa, Fla., has shown exemplary leadership by spearheading the first live newscast for FAMU-TV 20 in 2007 and serving as editor for “The Famuan” newspaper in 2006.

Wright also has served as host of the weekly radio show “SGA Talks” on WANM FM 90.5 and correspondent for the school's campus magazine “Journey.” While juggling all of his school activities and classes, he also serves as the weekend producer for the 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts for WTXL, Tallahassee's ABC affiliate. He continues to mentor and lend his support to student journalists.

After graduation in August, Wright will work full-time for ABC News in New York City. Samples of his work can be found online here and here.

“Under the leadership of Georgia Dawkins, FAMU’s ABJ chapter, has become one of the most active student groups in the SJGC,” said Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU’s division of journalism. “Membership in the ABJ chapter has tripled from about 15 to more than 50 active members in the last year.”