Chicago columnist Mary Mitchell to keynote Minority Writers Seminar; deadline to apply online is March 9

For information and application, go to
www.MinorityWritersSeminar.org

NASHVILLE TN — Mary A. Mitchell, editorial board member and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, will be the keynote speaker for the 14th annual Minority Writers Seminar to be held April 30-May 3 at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute.

The co-host of a weekly two-hour public affairs radio program and a frequent guest on national news program, the award-winning columnist will address the group of experienced minority journalists at the dinner meeting on May 2.

March 9 is the deadline to apply to attend the seminar sponsored by the National Conference of Editorial Writers Foundation in partnership with the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University, said seminar director Doug Lyons, senior editorial writer for South Florida Sun-Sentinel and a 1999 graduate of the seminar.

The program’s purpose is to give experienced minority journalists an opportunity to explore the nuts-and-bolts of opinion writing and encourage them to consider making a career move.

Enrollment is limited to 15 and includes those who have been writing opinion less than two years. Lodging and food at the seminar are covered and participants will be reimbursed up to $200 for their transportation to and from Nashville.

“We are fortunate to have experienced opinion writers donate their time and expertise to work closely with participants in small groups as they attend simulated editorial board meetings and write editorials that are critiqued,” said John Taylor, Foundation president and retired editorial page editor of The News Journal in Wilmington, Delaware.

An interactive presentation by Rick Horowitz, a writing coach and syndicated columnist based in Milwaukee, and a panel discussion on “Moving Opinion Online and into New Media” are also scheduled.

Major supporters of the 2009 seminar include John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, McCormick/Tribune Foundation, Scripps Howard Foundation, Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, and New York Times Company Foundation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Doug Lyons Joan Armour
Seminar Director Seminar Coordinator
954/356-4638 615/330-8739
dlyons@ sun-sentinel.com joan@armour-armour.com