A Downtown run, a jazz drumming jam session and a scholarship reception recently memorialized four local journalists and recognized two graduating high school seniors who plan to enter the industry.

 

On Sunday, the Columbus Association of Black Journalists held its annual scholarship reception in memory of Julie Bailey and Lauren Crowner, both of whom had been active in the chapter and its parent organization. Bailey, who had been a reporter at the Columbus Dispatch, died in May 2006 at age 45; Crowner, a reporter and anchor at NBC4 TV, died in August 2006, the day after her 25th birthday.

 

This year, the association presented scholarships to Philip Davis of Walnut Ridge High School and Alaine Whitmire of Worthington Kilbourne High School. Each received $500 during a program on Sunday at Metzger Park in Westerville. The stipends are to help them pursue studies in journalism at Ohio University and Ball State University, respectively.

 

The teens had participated in CABJ's High School Journalism Workshop and wrote essays to qualify for the scholarships.

 

Whitmire said that the workshop gave her practical experience, such as reading from a teleprompter and how to work with people in the field.

 

"It's good to have the skills the see the steps you need to take to get where you want," she said.

 

Davis said, "It's nice to see people who want you to be successful."

 

The lives and contributions of two other popular journalists were celebrated in different ways on Saturday.

 

Thousands of walkers and runners in the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure were part of Heather's Team in honor of Heather Pick, who had been an anchor at WBNS-10TV before she died of cancer in November. The race raised more than $2 million in the annual fundraising walk and race Downtown to support cancer research, education and treatment.

 

Later in the day, friends of Ron Coleman "Abdul Haqq Muhammad" reflected on his life as a philosopher, musician and journalist. He died on April 4. The gathering at Zanzibar Brews on E. Long Street included video and audio clips of his performance as a jazz conga drummer.

 

Several local musicians performed and recounted their experiences with Coleman, who had also worked as a reporter and morning news editor at WOSU radio.

 

Drummers Charles Cook and Tony West, who had played with Coleman's group The Universe, were on hand, as were drummers Steve Grier, Ron Hope and Raleigh Randolph.

 

"For my money, Ron Coleman was the best jazz conga player around," said Randolph, one of the organizers of the Urban Jazz Collective. The collective and SCAT co-sponsored the event, part of a series that honors jazz greats.

 

Acclaimed saxophonist Gene Walker and keyboardist Bobby Floyd also paid respects, as did Yvonne Mumin and other dancers for whom Coleman played.