"In My Opinion" news columnist, nationally syndicated via Knight Ridder News ServiceNews Division, Miami, Florida, USA
1991–1995
Music critic and writerArts Section, Miami, Florida, USA
EDUCATOR AND LECTURER
2013
Visiting ProfessorGeorge Washington University
2011
Visiting Professor - taught a course in writing about racePrinceton University
2004
Scripps Howard Visiting ProfessionalHampton University
TeacherVirginia Commonwealth University
TeacherUniversity of Maryland
TeacherOhio University
PUBLISHED AUTHOR
2012
Author: FreemanPublisher: Agate Bolden
2009
Author: Before I ForgetPublisher: Agate Bolden
2009
Author: Daily Triumphs, Tragedies, and CuriositiesPublisher: Agate Bolden
2009
Author: Forward from This Moment: Selected Columns, 1994-2008Publisher: Agate Bolden
1999
Author: Becoming Dad - Black Men and the Journey to FatherhoodPublisher: Longstreet Press
Westwood One, Inc.
1989–1991
Staff writer for the music countdown show American Top 40 and its legendary host, Casey KasemCulver City, California, USA
DOCUMENTARIAN:
1990
Radio Special Event: Young Black Men: A Lost Generation?
1988
Writer, producer of this 1989 CEBA (Communications Excellence to Black Audiences) first place award winnerRadio Special Event: Who We Are - The Life and Times of Black America
1986
Writer, co-producer of this 1987 CEBA (Communications Excellence to Black Audiences) second place award winnerRadio Special Event: King - From Atlanta to the Mountaintop
FREELANCE WRITER
1983–1986
Freelance music critic and writerSpin, a Los Angeles-based music magazine
1983–1986
Freelance music critic and writer Record Review, a Los Angeles-based music magazine
1983–1986
Freelance music critic and writer Right On!, a Los Angeles-based music magazine
1983–1986
Co-creator, and editorRadioscope, a radio entertainment news magazine
Music reviewerReader's Digest
Music reviewerMusician
1980–1983
Writer, news and featuresKFWB Radio, Los Angeles, California USA
Professional memberships
Florida Society of Newspaper Editors
Atlantic City Press Club
American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors
National Association of Black Journalists
Accomplishments of note
2001
Writer: "We'll Go Forth From This Moment" An open letter to the 9/11 terrorists in his nationally-syndicate column the day after their murderous attacksThis column reportedly drew upwards of 30,000 emails; it was subsequently set to music, reprinted in poster form, read on-air by television hosts and quoted by politicians
Professional honors and awards
2009
Outstanding Newspaper ColumnistGLAAD Media
2008
Journalist of the Year National Association of Black Journalists
2004
Pulitzer PrizePulitzer Prize Board (administered by Columbia University)Commentary
2002
Columnist of the Year Award, the inaugural year for this award National Society of Newspaper ColumnistsFor his 9/12/2001 column -"We'll Go Forth From This Moment"
2002
Outstanding Newspaper ColumnistGLAAD Media
2001
ASNE Award for Commentary WritingAmerican Society of Newspaper EditorsFor his 9/12/2001 column - "We'll Go Forth From This Moment"
2001
Feature of the YearEditor and Publisher magazineColumnist
1997
First Place, Ninth Annual Writing AwardAmerican Association of Sunday and Feature EditorsCommentary - Division Four
Award of Excellence National Association of Black JournalistCommentary (3 time recipient)
Green Eyeshade Award Society of Professional JournalistsCommentary (7 time recipient)
National Headliner Award Atlantic City Press Club Arts criticism (5 time recipient)
Florida Society of Newspaper Editors AwardFlorida Society of Newspaper EditorsArts criticism
1991
International Radio Festival Award
1991
American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors AwardAmerican Association of Sunday and Feature Editors Arts Criticism
Community
Nationality
American
Politics
Democrat
Denomination
Baptist
Hobbies
Reading, computer games of strategy
Education
University
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, California, USABachelor of ArtsEnglish1973–1977Graduated summa cum laude; awarded his degree at the age of 19, having entered USC at 15 on a special honors program
Native language
English
Honorary Degrees
2008
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, Virginia USADoctorate in Humane Letters