Shelton, Kramer, Cyril Honored at 31st Annual Everett C. Parker Lecture

Inspiring media justice advocates were honored as a breakfast audience of media executives, faith leaders and advocates gathered at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington for the 31st Annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture. Hilary O. Shelton, head of the Washington office of the NAACP and this year’s Parker Lecturer, noted that this was the 50th anniversary of key events such as the March on Washington that occurred in 1963, “a year in which, thanks to the media, which was really beginning to really cover our struggles, we were able to take our cause to a much bigger audience.” But, he cautioned, “Although much has changed, much has also stayed the same.” Shelton cited several examples were continued vigilance is needed. Besides recognizing Shelton’s advocacy for diversity in the media and his instrumental role in the passage of key pieces of federal legislation, today’s event also honored two other advocates for the public interest in telecommunications.

Albert H. Kramer received the Everett C. Parker Award, recognizing an individual whose work embodies the principals and values of the public interest in telecommunications. Among other achievements, he founded the Citizens’ Communication Center and spent 20 years on the board of directors of the Media Access Project and the Communications Consortium Media Center.

Malkia Amala Cyril, founder of the Center for Media Justice and co-founder of the Media Action Grassoots Network (MAGNet), received the Donald H. McGannon Award, given in recognition of special contributions in advancing the roles of women and persons of color in the media, and in Cyril’s case, the media reform movement.