Bay Area Black Journalist Association

BABJA would like to thank everyone for attending the First Annual Young Journalists Scholarship luncheon honoring Barbara Rodgers.

About 250 people came to congratulate her for 25 years of excellent journalism on October 15, the actual date she started reporting at KPIX-TV.

Thanks to the Parc Renaissance Hotel, all of our sponsors, and BABJA members and students who pitched in make everything run smoothly at the luncheon.

Needless to say the event was a success, the glowing smile on Barbara’s face said it all. Still, the national recognition was a pleasant surprise. Comments from NABJ Vice President/Print, Bryan Monroe and Richard Prince’s Journal-isms follow………….

Honoring News Anchor Barbara Rodgers Celebrating her 25th Anniversary at CBS 5

NABJ Vice President/Print, Bryan Monroe

In San Francisco on Friday, members of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA) hosted a sold-out luncheon honoring veteran television anchor Barbara Rodgers for her 25 years at the CBS affiliate in San Francisco.

Barbara, who has touched countless journalists in the Bay Area and beyond, was praised by NABJ members from around the country, as well as local community members in whose lives she has made a difference. Thanks to acting chapter president Bob Butler and event organizer Karen Stevenson.

Richard Prince's Journal-isms

S.F. Tribute to Barbara Rodgers Raises $5,000

"We hoped to sell 200 tickets and ended up with at least 250 people, Bob Butler of KCBS Radio, and acting president of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association, tells Journal-isms.

He was speaking of Friday's luncheon in San Francisco honoring Barbara Rodgers on her 25th anniversary as a Bay Area TV anchor. (KPIX)

The event raised at least $5,000, according to Karen Stevenson, the luncheon chair.

"In addition, we awarded the 2004 BABJA/Luci Houston scholarship to University of California Berkeley graduate student Mydria Clark," Butler continued. "Mydria says she'll use the $2,500 for her graduate reporting project."

Among the tributes was this from Taigi Smith, a producer for CBS News' "48 Hours": "I am one of the many young women from San Francisco who grew up watching you on KPIX . . . It is because of you that I decided to be a journalist. At the time, you were one of a very small handful of Black women on-air in San Francisco, and whether you know it or not, you were an inspiration to every black girl who watched you."