Washington, DC - Pictured during a recent Black History Month panel discussion at Howard University (from left): John Jacob Oliver, Jr., publisher of the Afro-American Newspapers, Lt. Col. Michelle Ann Cooper, Asst. Professor of Military Science at Howard University Army ROTC Program, Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer newspaper, Colonel Arnold Neil Gordon-Bray, Carol Randolph, Senior Vice President/Legal Affairs for Walls Communications, Major James A. Bryant, and Lt. Colonel Rivers Johnson, Army Public Affairs Officer.

The discussion focused on life experiences of African Americans that serve in the United States Army; the historical relationship between Blacks and the Army; and Black Press coverage of the military over the years. The session complemented an Army sponsored Black History month traveling museum showcased in Washington, DC at Howard University's Blackburn center; Atlanta, GA at Fulton County Government Hall; and St. Louis, MO at the Missouri Historical Society. Entitled “Freedom,” the museum shares the African American experience through photos celebrating African-American civic, entertainment, social and military achievement.

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The National Newspaper Publishers Association or NNPA, hosted their annual newsmaker of the Year luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Brigadier Gen. Vincent Brooks who was spokesperson for the U.S. Army Central Command during the war in Iraq was the special honoree of this year’s Newsmaker Award.

Brooks humbly spoke of how he appreciated being honored among two great women who also received awards at the luncheon. The NNPA’s Lifetime Achievement award went to Dr. Dorothy Height, President of the National Council of Negro Women, for her crusade for justice for black women and Elaine R. Jones, President of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund received the NorthStar Community Service award for her work fighting for equal rights and justice for people of color, women and the poor. After 32 years with the Legal Defense Fund, Jones, the first woman to head the organization will be retiring effective May 1st.

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(Washington, DC) Pictured: General Vincent Brooks and George Curry, Editor of NNPA's Black Press USA, take time to pose of a photo before NNPA's annual Newsmaker Luncheon.

(Washington, DC) Pictured: Lon Walls, CEO of Walls Communications, Inc. (left), shares a moment with General Vincent Brooks (right) at the NNPA Newmaker Luncheon as Bob Ellison (center) looks on.