Paul Robeson Awards to Salute William Greaves

Thirteen awards are up for grabs in several different categories tonight at the 19th Annual Paul Robeson Awards sponsored by Howard University’s Department of Radio, Television and Film.

The awards include best producer, best documentary, best cinematography and best actor. The two-hour ceremony, which begins with a red carpet event at 6 p.m., will also honor Williams Greaves, the dean of African-American cinema.

“William Greaves has done a lot over his lifetime. He’s a documentarian. He’s dedicated to the work he produces,” said Juanett Davis, a senior television production major, who is scheduled to co-host the event with Drew Duran, a junior public relations major. Greaves will also conduct a master class for students on Friday.

The Robeson awards showcase the “young media framers of the future,” Davis said. Student winners will also receive airline tickets and hotel stays.

The prestigious ceremony is named after Paul Robeson, the famous civil rights activist, athlete and artist, who was born 110 years ago today on April 9, 1898.

“We want to make sure the African-American images in the media are culturally appropriate,” Davis said. “That’s what Paul Robeson did in his day.”

The event will be held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Md. For more information, contact Renee Harris at (202) 806-7929 or raharris@howard.edu.