People Award A Mail Scoop

People award a Mail scoop  Feb 27 2004 By Poppy Brady, Evening Mail (Red=votes) Cecil Morris far left The Evening Mail has scooped a top award (8.8%) in Birmingham for its positive and sensitive coverage of gun crime and community issues. It was among ten winners at the first awards ceremony held by the Collective of Black Professionals who organised the event. The newly-launched group is highlighting the success stories in the inner city which have been too often overshadowed by gun and drug-related crime. Awards presenter Bernell Burroughs told Mail editor Roger Borrell: "You are pulled from pillar to post by the public to give a balanced view of news, but your recent columns on gun crime really struck a chord with your readers. "This is backed up by the vital local information you give which is something your readers rely on. Well done - continue to be the best." Mr Borrell said: "Over the past two years we have worked hard to be more inclusive. "We rely on you to come to us with the good stories to balance out the negative ones." Marcia Shakespeare , mother of 17-year-old Letisha who was shot dead at a New Year party in Aston just over a year ago, was also among the award winners. She praised her partner, the police and also the Evening Mail for supporting her through the most traumatic period of her life. Beverley Thomas (11.3%), mother of Charlene Ellis, who was also shot dead and Sandra Thomas, whose daughter Cheryl was wounded, were also given awards, but were not present to accept them. Other awards went to the Annie Wood Care Home (11.3%), in Alma Way, which was collected by Ruth Lawrence; Galaxy Radio (12.6%); Central News (9.0%); the Royal Oak pub(14.1%), in Lozells Road which hosted the ceremony; Russells Foods (15.1%), of Lozells Road; and Cecil Morris, of the People's Community Radio Link (24%). One of the organisers, Michael Ekwulugo, said: "There are so many successes in our community that are often overshadowed and eclipsed by the negative. It is time for the pendulum to swing the other way. "We want to tackle this atmosphere of doom and gloom particularly after recent events such as the shootings. "This has to come from within our own community if we are to celebrate our own successes." The Collective of Black Professionals plans to make the awards an annual event and wants people to nominate unsung heroes who have worked often behind the scenes to improve people's quality of life.