CHICAGO (Finalcall.com)�During the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Chicago Association of Black Journalists, The Final Call newspaper captured five awards for reporting, photography and page design.

The reception and awards ceremony held at the Dusable Museum on the city�s south side also honored pioneering Black journalists Vernon Jarrett, Lu Palmer, Harry Porterfield, Merri Dee, Russ Ewing and Laura Washington. In addition, CABJ presented scholarships to Demetria Wright, Tulani Price-Brackett, Daschell Phillips and Tajaunna Bates.

Final Call staff writer Saeed Shabazz received a feature writing award for his story on AIDS orphans, "The Children Left Behind," and Final Call contributor Rafiq Rohan won an international reporting award for "Whites are rejecting reconciliation," which explored race relations in South Africa as the country tries to move forward after the brutal legacy of white minority rule and the apartheid era. Kenneth Muhammad, Final Call staff photographer, won an award for multiple images for photos related to calls to stop the violence in Chicago and an award for a single image photo. Tamiko G. Muhammad, Final Call production assistant and layout artist, won an award for page design.

Final Call editor James Muhammad and managing editor Richard Muhammad accepted awards on behalf of editorial and design staffers. Kenneth Muhammad attended the celebration and received his awards.

"My hat goes off to our staff which works hard on behalf of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan to make The Final Call one of the finest publications in the world," said James Muhammad. "We thank the CABJ and its officials for this honor."

Cheryl Burton and Hosea Sanders, who both work as anchors and reporters for WLS-TV in Chicago, served as emcees for the evening. CABJ President Angela Harkless, of Cachet magazine, presented the awards.

The major part of the evening program was devoted to paying tribute to Vernon Jarrett, who has spent 50 years working in print, television and radio and is a founding member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the Chicago Association of Black Journalists; Lu Palmer, a radio and print journalist and activist who devoted 40 years to crusades against police brutality and abuses against the community and played a vital role in the election of Harold Washington, the city�s first Black mayor.

Television reporters Russ Ewing and Harry Porterfield, both Emmy award winners, were saluted for outstanding careers that spanned over 30 years. Merri Dee, director of community relations at WGN-TV, was saluted for her work to ensure diversity and 25 years of service that has included work as a newscaster, radio talk show host, and extensive charity work. The final honoree, Laura Washington, has won Emmy awards, served as deputy press secretary to Mayor Washington, and has worked in television and as a reporter. She now publishes the investigative monthly Chicago Reporter.

"It is a pleasure to see our staff recognized for their tireless work to provide quality, relevant news to our community and all those who seek truth. Our founder, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, our readers, the brothers and sisters who take the newspaper to the community and our staff deserve nothing less," said Richard Muhammad.