African American Family
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African American Family magazine is operated by Metro Parent Publishing Group, a Ferndale, Mich.-based company that produces family-focused publications, Web content, events and television segments, and owned by a group of Detroit area business leaders. The free-of-charge publication debuted in April of 1999 as African American Parent Magazine, a publication devoted to the needs and concerns of Black parents, grandparents, educators and children [1]. In 2002, the goals and scope expanded. In order to address more topical issues and explore the unique challenges of the total family, the name was changed to African American Family. Its core mission is to inspire and uplift the Black family by celebrating African American heritage, examining trends, highlighting Black culture and shining the spotlight on local leaders and others who represent the interests of everyday citizens. Stories in the publication often have an African centered focus and always strive to heal the community.
The monthly publication, in conjunction with local businesses and organizations, also produces African American Family Magazine’s Distinguished Speaker Series, which is an event that features noteworthy individuals throughout the year.
African American Family is distributed at nearly 400 locations throughout the metro Detroit area with a circulation at 30,000.
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[edit] Events
[edit] African American Family Magazine’s Distinguished Speaker Series
As part of African American Family Magazine’s ongoing goal to inform and motivate metro Detroiters, the publication presents notable speakers at various local area venues. Speakers have included Civil Rights activist Coretta Scott King, poet/actress Maya Angelou, Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison, Black Entertainment Television (BET) co-founder Sheila Johnson, Rwandan heroine and author of Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust Immaculee Ilibagiza, former Lost Boy of Sudan and author of God Grew Tired of Us John Bul Dau[2], former President Bill Clinton [3], [4], [5] and multi-millionaire entrepreneur and author of The Pursuit of Happyness Christopher Gardner. The events are co-sponsored by local corporations and partial proceeds benefit specific charities.
[edit] Reclaiming The Village
Reclaiming the Village: An African American Family Dialogue was presented by African American Family Magazine along with other local organizations. The project was created to help open the lines of communication within African American families. It was sparked by the controversial comments made by actor/comedian Bill Cosby about the values of some African Americans [6], [7]. Reclaiming the Village consisted of a series of panel discussions, which aired on Detroit’s local PBS station, WTVS Channel 56, during September and October 2005 with various community leaders [8], [9]. It also included a series of community forums where all citizens could address issues and find solutions to the problems that impacted their lives. Topics discussed included family issues, education and pop culture.
[edit] Awards
African American Family has received several awards for the publication’s editorial content and design. Honors have included The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) “Salute to Excellence Award” [10], Parenting Publications of America (PPA) - (Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards) [11], Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Award [12], Life Directions - Mary Ball Children’s Advocacy Award, Legacy Award (from Aisha Shule-WEB Dubois Academy, Detroit, MI), Against All Odds “Excellence in Print Media” AWEC/Alliance.
[edit] References
- ^ BLACKS ARE FOCUS OF NEW PARENT MAGAZINE. | Crain's Detroit Business | Find Articles at BNET.com
- ^ Digital50: Wayne County Community College District News and more Business News
- ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007711080433
- ^ Bill Clinton to speak on global, local issues on June 12
- ^ Detnews.com | This article is no longer available online
- ^ Bill Cosby Speech Transcript
- ^ Tavis Smiley . Archives . Bill Cosby . May 26, 2004 | PBS
- ^ UnityFirst.com
- ^ Reclaiming the Village: A Dialogue on the African American Family - AOL Television
- ^ http://www.nabj.org/awards/excellence/index.html
- ^ Parenting Publications of America
- ^ SPJ: Metropolitan Detroit Chapter
