Recognizing and honoring Bobbi Booker as the first African-American female president of the Pen and Pencil Club, the nation's oldest press club.

WHEREAS, Bobbi Booker is a Philadelphia native and proud Temple University graduate; and

WHEREAS, For over 30 years, she has served as a standout print and broadcast journalist in roles ranging from beat writer to executive producer; and

WHEREAS

, Ms. Booker has also worked as a radio reporter, assignment editor, and executive producer for Metro & Shadow Traffic Networks, WWDB 96.5FM, WUSL-Power 99 FM, WHAT-AM and WHYY 90.9FM; and

WHEREAS

, In 1999, Ms. Booker was named co-host of “Ovations” on NPR affiliate WRTI-FM 90.1, where she currently hosts the popular music show “Spirit Soul Music on Ovations”; and

WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, Ms. Booker has served at the Philadelphia Tribune,

America’s oldest and the Philadelphia region’s largest daily newspaper

serving the African-American community

. She covers technology culture and writes the column #TheNewNext

; and

WHEREAS

, Ms. Booker is also a contributor to Generocity Philly, and her diverse editorial experience includes news, culture, lifestyle, business, sports, politics and entertainment for publications such as Philadelphia Magazine, Examiner.com, BlackAmericaWeb.com, Smooth magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, and The Book Report; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Booker completed the 2008 Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution, is a 2005 Fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and a 2008 Fellow of the NEA Arts Journalism Institute for Dance Criticism at the American Dance Festival at Duke University; and

WHEREAS

, Ms. Booker has earned four National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Merit Awards for her work in the Philadelphia Tribune’s Lifestyles section, including back-to-back awards in 2010 and 2011; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Booker is the first African

-

American female to lead the Pen & Pencil Club, the oldest press club in the country

. Previously, she served as a board member and then as the board’s vice-president

; and

WHEREAS, This landmark occasion affords an opportunity to recognize Ms. Booker’s trailblazing leadership and other professional contributions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,

THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes and honors Bobbi Booker as the first African-American female president of the Pen and Pencil Club, the nation’s oldest press club.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Bobbi Booker as an expression of appreciation by this legislative body.

End