National Distinction:
Minority Opportunity News Honored at Black Press 60th Anniversary: Received Prestigious Messenger Award (2000)
Chicago- The National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Messenger Awrds presented four black publications with top journalism awards recently. The Messenger Awards recognize African American publishers and writers for excellence in news story, commentary and editorial writing. More than 200 NNPA members gathered for the ceremony during the group’s 60th Anniversary at its annual convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel/McCormick Place.
Top honors for best civil rights news story went to the Minority Opportunity 
News of Dallas, Texas. Taking first place in the education category for the second year was The Houston Defender. Recognition awards for editorial and commentary writing were picked up by NOKOA of Austin, Texas and the The Virgin Islands Daily News of St. Thomas. The awards are named for the African American “Messenger” magazine founded by civil rights leader, A. Philip Randolph in 1917.
The Messenger Awrds program was established and sponsored by Miller Brewing Company and is given annually to the publisher and writer of the best overall news article in each category of Civil Rights and Education. Along with custom-made awards, the two top winning newspapers receive $1000 each for their non-profit organization of choice. Each top writer takes home a $1500 cash prize.
MON-The Gazette Receives National Award at the NNPA Convention (2002)
Jacksonville, FL – Recently, Miller Brewing Company, sponsor of the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Messenger Awards, presented four African American publications with top journalism awards.
African American publications were recognized with Messenger Awards for excellence in news, commentary and editorial writing. More than 400 gathered for the ceremony at the Omni Jackson Hotel in Jacksonville, FL, marking the tenth anniversary of the sponsorship.
The Messenger Awards is named from the African American “Messenger Magazine” founded by civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph in 1917. The Messenger Awards program was established by Miller in 1992 and is given annually to the publisher and writer of the best overall news article in each category of Civil Rights and Education.
Along with the awards, the two top winning newspapers receive $1,000 each from a non-profit organization of their choice. Each top writer receives a $1,500 cash prize. Top honors for best civil rights and education news story went to the Capital Outlook of Tallahassee, FL. It was the first time in the history of the Messenger awards where one newspaper takes first place in both primary categories.
MON-The Gazette out of Plano, Texas and Youngstown, Ohio’s The Buckeye Review picked up recognition awards for editorial and commentary writing. Belinda G. Alexander, a writer for MON-The Gazette, received an award for outstanding journalism in the area of educational editorial and commentary. Thurman Jones, publisher of MON-The Gazette, said “I’m humbled to receive such a reward given the level of competition from fine publications around the nation.”
For the second time in the last four years, Mon-The Gazette received an award for excellence in news story. In 1999, Mon-The Gazette was awarded with top honors for best civil rights news story. “The Miller Brewing Company is proud to support excellence and celebrate achievement in African American communities,” said Tina Walls, VP of Corporate Affairs. “We feel a strong commitment in our partnership with the NNPA and the important goals they support.”
Further Recognition
2005 Texas Publishers Association (TPA)
- 1st Place Best Religion Section
- 2nd Place Best Newspaper
- 2nd Place Best Use of Color
- 2nd Place Best Design & Layout
- 2nd Place Best Photography
- 2nd Place Best News Story
2002 Philip Randolph Messenger Award
- Editorial & Commentary Writing
- Excellence in News Story
2001 Texas Publishers Association
- 1st Place Best Editorial
- 3rd Place Best Sports Event
2000 Prestigious A. Philip Randolph Messenger Awards
- Finalist – Outstanding Journalism in the area of Civil Rights
- National Newspaper Publishers Association
- 3rd Place Best Editorial
1999 Texas Publishers Association
- 1st Place Best Editorial
- 2nd Place Best Use of Color
1998 Texas Publishers Association
- 1st Place Best Monthly
- 1st Place Best Educational Feature
- 1st Place Best Education Column
- 1st Place Best Religion Column
- 1st Place Best Entertainment
1997 National Association of Black Journalists Region 7 MAAT Awards
- Special Sections: Mon II
1997 Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators Griot Awards
- Best Communicators
- Best Arts and Entertainment
1997 Texas Publishers Association
- Newspaper of the Year
- 1st Place Best Editorial
- 1st Place Best Sports News Feature
- 2nd Place Best News Story
- 2nd Place Most Community Involvement
- Recognition Best Layout & Design
1995 Texas Publishers Association
- 1st Place Editorial
- 1st Place Feature
- 2nd Place Sports News Feature
- 2nd Place News Story
- 3rd Newspaper of the Year
