“My most exciting assignment this year was the grand opening of the Howard Theater. It was hard not to appear as a star struck fan seeing so many of the celebrities I grew up watching on television or hearing on the radio. That night was truly electrifying.” – Shevry Lassiter, Informer Photographer
“I only joined the Washington Informer team this August, but already I’ve been able to tell stories from unique African-American perspectives, which are often untold. My most challenging story would have to be the story on former Council member Michael Brown. The challenge came from telling his story from his view—one the other media did not consider; and it was difficult finding that additional angle, especially with all that was reported about him. However, it was rewarding to learn there are so many deeper layers to the council member, and I was afforded an opportunity to see those other layers.” –- Michelle Phipps-Evans, Staff Writer
“My most challenging and rewarding assignment in 2012 was covering the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The convention proved historical, given its significance to the 2012 Presidential Election and I found myself feeling both overwhelmed and proud to be among so many important people at such an historic point in time.” -- Khalid Naji-Allah, Informer Photographer
“My most challenging story in 2012 was a social commentary on race and how racism had come to redefine the political landscape during President Barack Obama’s administration. As both a journalist and historian, the challenge was in allowing the events of the present to shape the argument without claiming (unduly) the racist weight of past events and ideologies. Political analyst Wilmer Leon helped me contextualize the discussion, while Editor Denise W. Barnes, ensured the article was well-framed editorially.” Shantella Y. Sherman, Assistant Editor
"My most challenging/satisfying story in 2012 came as I prepared to call acclaimed choreographer and dancer Bill T. Jones to interview him about his play coming to Wolf Trap, I started getting nervous. Here is a man who for more than 30 years has epitomized the best in dance, interpretation and movement. Reading his curriculum vitae and his list of accomplishments added to my anxiety because I hoped I'd ask sensible, pertinent questions that would help readers get a sense of what makes this man tick. I need not have worried: We chatted for about 35 minutes, had a delightful conversation actually. He was very thoughtful and accommodating. As we parted he told me how much he enjoyed the interview and the questions. That made my day." -- Barrington Salmon, Staff Writer
"I would say, the Yo-Yo Ma coverage at Savoy Elementary School in Southeast in early December was my rewarding assignment this year. Ma worked with the students, and the students performed along with him. That's what you call art and purpose coming together -- in terms of passing art along to young people. The students understood the significance of having a musician of Ma's stature take the time to share his talent with them. I was able to photograph this important event and the paper provided a spread that allowed our readers to see the dynamics of what actually occurred at the school." – Roy Lewis, Informer Photographer
"My most challenging / rewarding work was on the article, "Heated Debates Expected over School Closures," Nov. 8, 2012. I was tasked with conveying the impact the closings – if successfully mandated by Chancellor Kaya Henderson and Mayor Vincent Gray -- would have on students, many of whom live in the poorest wards of the city where test scores remain stagnant and educational resources have been lacking due, largely, to budget constraints. The thought-provoking article captured the emotions of a fired-up Southeast community that is vehemently fighting the closures, stating loud and clear, that "enough is enough!" -- Dorothy Rowley, On-Line Editor
"I only joined the Washington Informer team this August, but already I've been able to tell stories from unique African-American perspectives, which are often untold. My most challenging story would have to be the story on former Council member Michael Brown. The challenge came from telling his story from his view—one the other media did not consider; and it was difficult finding that additional angle, especially with all that was reported about him. However, it was rewarding to learn there are so many deeper layers to the council member, and I was afforded an opportunity to see those other layers." -– Michelle Phipps-Evans, Staff Writer
"The most rewarding story I did this year had to do with attending the annual conference in New Orleans on "America Healing" and writing about the importance of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation dealing with the ongoing issue of race and the role that Washington area residents played in that conference." –- James Wright, Staff Writer